Additive free, N-heterocyclic nitrenium catalyzed photoreduction of cycloketone oxime esters

Abstract

We report that N-heterocyclic nitreniums (NHNs) can be used as ideal charge transfer complex catalysts in the absence of any additives for the photoactivation of cycloketone oxime esters, where the NHN cation acts as a catalytic electron acceptor, and the counter-ion I⁻ is a catalytic electron donor. This strategy enables the synthesis of various trisubstituted alkenes and heterocycles.