Base-Promoted C–C Bond Activation Enables Radical Allylation with Homoallylic Alcohols

The Cα-Cβ bond in homoallylic alcohols can be activated under basic conditions, qualifying these nonstrained acyclic systems as radical allylation reagents. This reactivity is exemplified by photoinitiated (with visible light and/or blue LEDs) allylation of perfluoroalkyl and alkyl radicals generated from perfluoroalkyl iodides and alkylpyridinium salts, respectively, with homoallylic alcohols. C-radical addition to the double bond of the title reagents and subsequent base-promoted homolytic Cα-Cβ cleavage leads to the formation of the corresponding allylated products along with ketyl radicals that act as single electron reductants to sustain the chain reactions. Substrate scope is documented and the role of base in the C-C bond activation is studied by computation.