Visible-light-initiated manganese-catalyzed Giese addition of unactivated alkyl iodides to electron-poor olefins

Abstract

Herein, we report a mild protocol for direct visible-light-initiated Giese addition of unactivated alkyl iodides to electron-poor olefins (Michael acceptors) with catalysis by decacarbonyl dimanganese, Mn₂(CO)₁₀, an inexpensive earth-abundant-metal catalyst. This protocol is compatible with a wide array of sensitive functional groups and has a broad substrate scope with regard to both the alkyl iodide and the Michael acceptor.