Direct Hydrodecarboxylation of Carboxylic Acids via N-Hydroxyphthalimide-Mediated Hydrogen Atom Transfer

The hydrodecarboxylation of carboxylic acids is a fundamental functional group transformation in chemistry. However, current methods rely on acid preactivation, expensive photocatalysts, or transition-metal catalysts. Herein, we describe an unprecedented transition-metal- and photocatalyst-free chemoselective hydrodecarboxylation of carboxylic acids via N-hydroxyphthalimide-mediated hydrogen atom transfer. This mild method exhibits broad functional group tolerance and enables the conversion of primary, secondary, and tertiary carboxylic acids to alkanes. The versatility of this method is demonstrated through the late-stage functionalization of complex natural products and pharmaceuticals.