A one-step synthesis of enones from olefins is described. The reaction was performed
under visible-light irradiation in the presence of molecular oxygen and a photocatalyst.
The reaction proceeded with various types of trisubstituted olefins to give enones
in good yields with high regioselectivity. In particular, oxygen- and nitrogen-containing
functional groups, heteroaromatic rings, and cyclopropanes were tolerated. Mechanistic
studies and previous reports indicated that the active oxygen species generated in
the reaction system is singlet oxygen.
Key words
oxidation - oxygenation - photocatalysis - ruthenium catalysis - enones - alkenes