Visible Light‐Mediated Radical Decarboxylative Strategies for the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds

Heterocycles are an important structural motif found in many bioactive compounds, natural products and pharmaceuticals. Heterocycles have been synthesised at large employing conventional methods which are usually associated with limitations such as the need for an external oxidant or reductant, harsh reaction conditions, lower selectivity and its unsustainable nature. To circumvent these drawbacks, visible light photocatalysis has emerged as a milder, energetically efficient and environmentally benign tool in organic synthesis. Visible light‐mediated radical decarboxylation of carboxylic acid and its derivatives has been widely explored to affect a wide range of chemical transformation reactions. Redox‐active NHPI derivatives are easily prepared from carboxylic acids which are inexpensive, non‐toxic and stable finding wide applications across various fields. Further, carboxylic acids are one of the most plentiful and renewable feedstock of our planet. Hence, this review brings forth the current developments in the area of visible light‐mediated decarboxylative strategies employing carboxylic acid and its derivatives for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds.