Reductive Activation and Hydrofunctionalization of Olefins by Multiphoton Tandem Photoredox Catalysis

Abstract

The conversion of olefin feedstocks to architecturally complex alkanes represents an important strategy in the expedient generation of valuable molecules for the chemical and life sciences. Synthetic approaches are reliant on the electrophilic activation of unactivated olefins, necessitating functionalization with nucleophiles. However, the reductive functionalization of unactivated and less activated olefins with electrophiles remains an ongoing challenge in synthetic chemistry. Here, we report the nucleophilic activation of inert styrenes through a photoinduced direct single electron reduction to the corresponding nucleophilic radical anion. Central to this approach is the multiphoton tand..