Direct access to β-arylketoesters by NHC/photoredox catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation–carbonylation of styrenes

Abstract

We report herein a dicarbonylation of styrenes with aryl fluorides and potassium 2-ethoxy-2-oxoacetate by cooperative NHC and photoredox catalysis with good functional group tolerance and moderate to high yields. This gentle and efficient approach offers a valuable alternative to known strategies for the synthesis of β-arylketoesters. Mechanistic studies have shown that this protocol proceeds via a radical-addition/coupling/elimination cascade reaction.