Radical Acylation of Alkenes by NHC‐Organocatalysis

Abstract N ‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed radical‐radical reactions have been proven to be powerful strategies for assembling ketyl‐containing compounds via single electron transfer (SET) pathway under either thermal conditions or photoredox conditions. In this context, acylation of alkenes via radical relay under NHC‐organocatalysis has also opened a new window for the difunctionalization of alkenes to construct valuable molecules in organic synthesis. In this review, the advances and progress of the acylation of alkenes via NHC‐organocatalysis were summarized according to different ways of generation of the key NHC‐bound ketyl‐type radicals. Furthermore, reaction scopes, limitations and mechanisms were discussed based on reaction types and catalytic systems. Conclusions and perspectives were also put forward at the end.