Visible Light-Mediated Decarboxylation Rearrangement Cascade of ω-Aryl- N-(acyloxy)phthalimides.

A Smiles-type radical rearrangement induced by visible-light-mediated decarboxylation of ω-aryl- N-(acyloxy)phthalimides was developed, giving rise to pharmacologically important substance classes: phenylethylamine derivatives, dihydroisoquinolinones, and benzoazepinones were synthesized on the basis of readily available benzoic acids or benzaldehydes and β- or γ-amino acids. This methodology facilitates the synthesis of enantiopure D-amphetamine and of precursors of capsazepinoid bronchodilators.