Visible‐Light‐Mediated Decarboxylation/Oxidative Amidation of α‐Keto Acids with Amines under Mild Reaction Conditions Using O 2

Photochemistry has ushered in a new era in the development of chemistry, and photoredox catalysis has become a hot topic, especially over the last five years, with the combination of visible‐light photoredox catalysis and radical reactions. A novel, simple, and efficient radical oxidative decarboxylative coupling with the assistant of the photocatalyst [Ru(phen) 3 ]Cl 2 is described. Various functional groups are well‐tolerated in this reaction and thus provides a new approach to developing advanced methods for aerobic oxidative decarboxylation. The preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that: 1) an SET process between [Ru(phen) 3 ] 2+ * and aniline play an important role; 2) O 2 activation might be the rate‐determining step; and 3) the decarboxylation step is an irreversible and fast process.