Visible-light-mediated green synthesis of tertiary alcohols from dicarbonyl compounds and arylamines in water

Green organic synthesis mediated by visible-light chemistry is highly desired in academia and industry. Water is undoubtedly the most environmentally friendly medium. Herein, we report a mild and robust water-phase electron donor–acceptor (WEDA) platform by merging visible-light chemistry with the use of water. Carbonyl compounds and arylamines serve as electron acceptors and donors, enabling access to sterically hindered tertiary alcohols with quaternary sp³-carbon centers through a green chemistry approach. The power of the transformation has been further demonstrated in the late-stage functionalization of a number of commercially available pharmaceutical compounds.