Visible-light-induced N -alkylation of anilines with 4-hydroxybutan-2-one.

The synthesis of amines through N -alkylation is particularly attractive. Herein, a strategy for visible-light-induced N -alkylation of anilines with 4-hydroxybutan-2-one was developed in the presence of NH 4 Br, which avoid the use of metals, bases and ligands. In addition, gram-scale experiments proved that the system has the potential to be scaled.