Metal-free visible-light carbonylation of alkyl iodides to amides via consecutive photoinduced electron transfer.

ABSTRACT: A visible-light-driven, metal-free carbonylation of unactivated alkyl iodides is reported, enabling the direct synthesis of 35 structurally diverse amides in good to excellent yields. The reaction shows broad functional-group tolerance toward both amines and alkyl iodides, including bioisosteric motifs and complex natural product derivatives, underscoring its potential for late-stage functionalization. Mechanistic investigations combining flash photolysis, spectroelectrochemistry, irradiated thin-layer cyclic voltammetry, and EPR spectroscopy reveal a consecutive photoinduced electron transfer (ConPET) mechanism that diverges from conventional single-photon photoredox catalysis. DFT calculations elucidate the key radical carbonylation steps governing reactivity and selectivity. This sustai

SUBMITTER: Akhssas F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12780792 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature