Photocatalyzed Direct α‐Alkylation of Esters Using Styrenes

Abstract A mild photocatalyzed approach to achieve the α‐alkylation of esters via formation of an α ‐radical is disclosed here. Cesium enolates of esters were generated in situ using Cs 2 CO 3 as a base. A subsequent photocatalyzed oxidation at the α‐carbon of these enolates produced an α‐radical that was added into activated alkenes. This is the first example accessing the α‐carbon radical of esters in photoredox catalyed transformations.