Visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization of oxime esters and aryl isonitriles: synthesis of cyclopenta[b]quinoxalines

A visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization of aryl isonitriles and cyclobutanone oxime esters for the synthesis of cyclopenta[b]quinoxalines has been accomplished for the first time. The key to the success of this process was the integration of the in situ-formed nitrile radical followed by the cascade radical isonitrile/nitrile insertion-cyclization. The easy introduction of substituents for both substrates and the high functional group tolerance of the reaction make it an efficient strategy to give various quinoxaline derivatives in moderate to good yields.