Visible Light-Promoted Aerobic Oxidation of α-Silyl Styrenes with Alcohols

A mechanistically distinctive visible-light-promoted metal-free aerobic oxidation of alkenyl silanes with alcohols was disclosed to efficiently construct α-alkoxy ketones under mild conditions. The primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols could be used as reactants. The protocol could be carried out on a gram-scale. Various derivatizations of products could be conducted. Mechanistic studies indicated the reaction was initiated by single-electron oxidation of the alkenyl silanes, rather than radical addition to alkenyl silanes.