Visible-Light-Induced Decarboxylative Cyclization of 2-Alkenylarylisocyanides with α-Oxocarboxylic Acids: Access to 2-Acylindoles.

An efficient and practical protocol for visible-light-induced decarboxylative cyclization of 2-alkenylarylisocyanides with α-oxocarboxylic acids has been developed, which afforded a broad range of 2-acylindoles in moderate to good yields. The reaction proceeds through a cascade of acyl radical addition/cyclization reactions under irradiation of an Ir3+ photoredox catalyst without external oxidants and features simple operation, scalability, a broad substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance.