Visible‐Light‐Promoted Iminyl‐Radical Formation from Acyl Oximes: A Unified Approach to Pyridines, Quinolines, and Phenanthridines

Abstract

Abstract A unified strategy involving visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation has been established for the construction of pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines from acyl oximes. With fac ‐[Ir(ppy) 3 ] as a photoredox catalyst, the acyl oximes were converted by 1 e − reduction into iminyl radical intermediates, which then underwent intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to give the N‐containing arenes. These reactions proceeded with a broad range of substrates at room temperature in high yield. This strategy of visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation was successfully applied to a five‐step concise synthesis of benzo[ c ]phenanthridine alkaloids.