Photoredox-promoted alkyl radical addition/semipinacol rearrangement sequences of alkenylcyclobutanols: rapid access to cyclic ketones.

Two photo-catalytic tandem alkyl radical addition/semipinacol rearrangement reactions of cycloalkanol-substituted styrenes with N-acyloxyphthalimides and O-acyl oximes have been documented. These protocols provide efficient access to functionalized cyclic ketones, and feature mild conditions (i.e., visible light irradiation, redox neutral and room temperature), broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance.