Carbonylative coupling of simple alkanes and alkenes enabled by organic photoredox catalysis.

A visible-light-driven direct carbonylative coupling of simple alkanes and alkenes via the combination of a hydrogen atom transfer process and photoredox catalysis has been demonstrated. Employing the N-alkoxyazinium salt as the oxidant and the precursor of an oxygen radical, a variety of α,β-unsaturated ketones could be obtained in a metal-free fashion.