Electron donor–acceptor complex photoactivation for deaminative alkynylation, alkenylation and allenylation: a comprehensive study

Abstract

Herein, we disclose our study toward photoinduced deaminative alkynylation, alkenylation and allenylation. The method proceeds through the formation of an EDA complex between Katritzky salts and DIPEA under blue LED irradiation, in the absence of a catalyst. The characterization of the EDA complex was achieved using UV/visible and NMR measurements and confirmed by DFT calculations. This mechanistically driven approach allowed the formation of internal alkynes, alkenes and allenoates in good to excellent yields (56 examples, 25–95% yields).