Visible Light-Promoted Magnesium, Iron, and Nickel Catalysis Enabling C(sp3)–H Lactonization of 2-Alkylbenzoic Acids

A mild and practical C(sp3)–H lactonization protocol has been achieved by merging photocatalysis and magnesium (iron, nickel) catalysis. A diverse range of 2-alkylbenzoic acids with a variety of substitution patterns could be transformed into the corresponding phthalide products. Based on the mechanistic experimentation and reported prior studies, a possible mechanism for the benzylic oxidative lactonization reaction was proposed with the hypothetic photoactive ternary complex formed between the 2-alkylbenzoic acid substrate, magnesium ion, and bromate anion.