Visible-Light-Induced Decarboxylative Cyclization of 2‑Alkenylarylisocyanides with α‑Oxocarboxylic Acids: Access to 2‑Acylindoles

An
efficient and practical protocol for visible-light-induced decarboxylative
cyclization of 2-alkenylarylisocyanides with α-oxocarboxylic
acids has been developed, which afforded a broad range of 2-acylindoles
in moderate to good yields. The reaction proceeds through a cascade
of acyl radical addition/cyclization reactions under irradiation of
an Ir3+ photoredox catalyst without external oxidants and
features simple operation, scalability, a broad substrate scope, and
good functional group tolerance.