Asymmetric α‑Photoalkylation of β‑Ketocarbonyls by Primary Amine Catalysis: Facile Access to Acyclic All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters

We
describe the direct construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters
via α-photoalkylation of β-ketocarbonyls with high efficacy
and enantioselectivities by merging photoredox catalysis and primary
amine catalysis. The open-shell photoradical approach enables asymmetric
α-alkylations that are difficult under thermal conditions.