Visible-light photo-catalytic C–C bond cleavages: preparations of N,N-dialkylformamides from 1,2-vicinal diamines

A range of 1,2-vicinal diamines were smoothly converted into N,N-dialkylformamides under the synergistic actions of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 photo-catalyst, 45 W household lighting bulb, and Cs2CO3 basic additive under very mild reaction conditions. The process involves visible light-enabled photo-catalytic cleavage of C–C bond as the strategic event.