Oscillatory flow reactor facilitates fast photochemical Wolff rearrangement toward synthesis of α-substituted amides in flow

A visible light-promoted fast photochemical Wolff rearrangement was developed toward synthesis of α-substituted amides in continuous flow with the use of a photochemical oscillatory flow reactor (POFR). The control experiment indicates that a fast process of the Wolff rearrangement (<40 s) is involved. Notably, this protocol does not require excess use of any reactants, and the resulting α-substituted amides could be isolated by recrystallization in good to excellent yields.