Copper(II)-photocatalyzed decarboxylative oxygenation of carboxylic acids.

Showcasing the concept of light-induced homolysis for the generation of radicals, the Cu II -photocatalyzed decarboxylative oxygenation of carboxylic acids with molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant is described. Two Cu II -carboxylate complexes with different coordination geometries were synthesized and characterized by X-ray analysis, correlating their structure with their ability to initiate light-induced decarboxylations.