Deaminative Strategy for the Visible‐Light‐Mediated Generation of Alkyl Radicals

Abstract A deaminative strategy for the visible‐light‐mediated generation of alkyl radicals from redox‐activated primary amine precursors is described. Abundant and inexpensive primary amine feedstocks, including amino acids, were converted in a single step into redox‐active pyridinium salts and subsequently into alkyl radicals by reaction with an excited‐state photocatalyst. The broad synthetic potential of this protocol was demonstrated by the alkylation of a number of heteroarenes under mild conditions.