Visible-Light-Promoted Cross Dehydrogenative/Decarboxylative Coupling Cascades of Glycine Ester Derivatives and β-Keto Acids.

A visible-light-induced dehydrogenative/decarboxylative coupling reaction of arylglycine derivatives and β-keto acids is described. This photocatalyst- and additive-free protocol can be applied in the efficient synthesis of γ-keto glycine derivatives under ambient conditions. Further uses of this methodology and a plausible mechanism are also demonstrated.