Mild and Low-Pressure fac -Ir(ppy) 3 -Mediated Radical Aminocarbonylation of Unactivated Alkyl Iodides through Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

A novel, mild and facile preparation of alkyl amides from unactivated alkyl iodides employing a fac-Ir(ppy)3-catalyzed radical aminocarbonylation protocol has been developed. Using a two-chambered system, alkyl iodides, fac-Ir(ppy)3, amines, reductants, and CO gas (released ex situ from Mo(CO)6), were combined and subjected to an initial radical reductive dehalogenation generating alkyl radicals, and a subsequent aminocarbonylation with amines affording a wide range of alkyl amides in moderate to excellent yields.