α-Aminoalkyl Radical Addition to Maleimides via Electron Donor–Acceptor Complexes

Abstract

A catalyst-free, photochemical oxidative annulation reaction between dialkylanilines and maleimides to generate tetrahydroquinolines is presented. The reaction is driven by the photochemical activity of an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex and has a broad substrate scope with the corresponding products isolated in good to excellent yields. Photochemical characterization of the EDA complex and a mechanistic rational is provided.