Direct Decarboxylative–Decarbonylative Alkylation of α-Oxo Acids with Electrophilic Olefins via Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

The decarbonylation of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl-substituted acyl radicals has been investigated through photoredox catalysis. A series of quaternary carbons and γ-ketoesters have been directly constructed by the photoredox 1,4-conjugate addition of the corresponding alkyl ketoacids with electrophilic alkenes. And, the tertiary alkyl ketoacids have proved to be good precursors of tertiary alkyl radicals.