Shining light on nitrogen: Alkene amination with N-heteroaromatic radicals via energy transfer

Nitrogen-centered radicals (NCRs) have been broadly utilized for the preparation of high-value nitrogen-containing molecules. Despite this wide adoption, limited methods exist for generating and employing N-heteroaromatic radicals under mild conditions. Recently in Angewandte Chemie, Zhang and co-workers reported the photo-mediated generation of aromatic N-heterocyclic radicals from pyridinium precursors via an energy-transfer mechanism, facilitating the amination of unactivated alkenes. Nitrogen-centered radicals (NCRs) have been broadly utilized for the preparation of high-value nitrogen-containing molecules. Despite this wide adoption, limited methods exist for generating and employing N-heteroaromatic radicals under mild conditions. Recently in Angewandte Chemie, Zhang and co-workers reported the photo-mediated generation of aromatic N-heterocyclic radicals from pyridinium precursors via an energy-transfer mechanism, facilitating the amination of unactivated alkenes.