A general photocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of β-hydroxy acid derivatives from alkenes

Abstract

We report a general and concise strategy to realize the photo-induced difunctionalization of alkenes for the synthesis of β-hydroxy acid derivatives. The reaction proceeds through an alkoxycarbonyl radical-induced process, and the photocatalyst operates via an oxidation quenching pathway. This method establishes a general, modular, and efficient protocol for the rapid diversification of alkenes into a library of hydroxyalkoxycarbonylation products.