Iron(III)-Light-Induced Homolysis: A Dual Photocatalytic Approach for the Hydroacylation of Alkenes Using Acyl Radicals via Direct HAT from Aldehydes

A dual photocatalytic protocol was developed to generate acyl radicals from readily available aldehydes via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Synergistic cooperation, being supported by DFT studies, between earth-abundant iron(III)chloride and 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) to activate the aldehyde for a HAT step proved to be an efficient, economic, and green route for the hydroacylation of electron-deficient alkenes under UV-light irradiation with broad functional group compatibility. This methodology can be conveniently scaled up and applied to produce valuable materials from renewable feedstock chemicals.