Atom-Transfer Radical Addition to Unactivated Alkenes by using Heterogeneous Visible-Light Photocatalysis

Heterogeneous visible-light photocatalysis represents an important route toward the development of sustainable organic synthesis. In this study visible light-induced, heavy metal-free atom-transfer radical addition to unactivated terminal olefins is carried out by using the combination of heterogeneous titanium dioxide as photocatalyst and a hypervalent iodine(III) reagent as co-initiator. The reaction can be applied to a range of substrates with good functional-group tolerance under very mild conditions. In addition to a number of commonly used atom-transfer reagents, the relatively challenging chloroform is also suitable.