Visible‐Light‐Driven Thiolate‐Catalyzed Carbo‐Carboxylation of Alkenes with CO2: Facile Synthesis of Oxindole‐3‐acetic Acid Derivatives

Comprehensive Summary Herein, we present a visible‐light‐driven carbo‐carboxylation of alkenes with CO 2 via catalytic electron donor‐acceptor (EDA) complex activation. A variety of oxindole‐3‐acetic acid and derivatives were generated in moderate to excellent yields from N ‐arylacrylamides and CO 2 . Mechanistic studies revealed the formation of an EDA complex between catalytic thiolate and alkene. Notably, this redox‐neutral reaction features mild, transition‐metal and photocatalyst‐free conditions, good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope. Furthermore, the facile synthesis of key intermediates in natural products underscores the utility of this methodology.