Preparation of α-Acyloxy Ketones via Visible-Light-Driven Aerobic Oxo-Acyloxylation of Olefins with Carboxylic Acids

We developed a visible-light driven oxo-acyloxylation of aryl alkenes with carboxylic acids and molecular oxygen. A metal-free photoredox system, consisting of an acridinium photocatalyst, an organic base, and molecular sieve (MS) 4 Å, promotes chemoselective aerobic photooxidation of aryl alkenes. This approach may provide a green, practical, and metal-free protocol for a wide range of α-acyloxy ketones.