Visible-light-induced ring-opening cross-coupling of cycloalcohols with vinylazaarenes and enones via β-C-C scission enabled by proton-coupled electron transfer

Pyridyl-based ketones and 1,6-diketones are both attractive and invaluable scaffolds which play pivotal roles in the construction and structural modification of a plethora of synthetically paramount natural products, pharmaceuticals, organic materials and fine chemicals. In this context, we herein demonstrate an unprecedented, robust and generally applicable synthetically strategy to deliver these two crucial ketone frameworks via visible-light-induced ring-opening coupling reactions of cycloalcohols with vinylazaarenes and enones, respectively. A plausible mechanism involves the selective β-C-C bond cleavage of cycloalcohols enabled by proton-coupled electron transfer and ensuing Giese-type addition followed by single electron reduction and protonation. The synthetic methodology exhibits broad substrate scope, excellent functional group compatibility as well as operational simplicity and environmental friendliness.