Photoredox catalyzed release of carbon-based radicals from 2-substituted-1,3-imidazolidines

Abstract

In the frame of developing easily oxidizable compounds for the photorelease of carbon-based radicals, we describe herein the use of 2-substituted-1,3-imidazolidines. These compounds (E_oxca. 1 V vs. SCE) were used to generate (substituted) alkyl radicals under photoredox conditions. The radicals smoothly added to electron-poor CC bonds for the forging of C(sp³)–C(sp³) bonds under metal-free conditions. Acridinium salts and even 4-CzIPN could be used as photocatalysts thanks to the favorable redox properties of these heterocycles.