Decatungstate Catalyzed Photochemical Acetylation of C(sp 3 )-H Bonds.

A direct acetylation of inert C(sp 3 )-H bonds was developed that was catalyzed by decatungstate under visible light irradiation and was followed by radical addition-disassociation with phenylsulfonyl ethanone oxime. The reaction displays site-selectivity in multiple C(sp 3 )-H bonds without prefunctionalization and directing groups. Various functional groups are well-tolerated and natural molecules are structurally feasible. CF 3 -modified phenylsulfonyl ethanone oxime was discovered to be necessary for enhancing the electrophilicity of imine and lowering the C-S bond cleavage energy.