Visible-light-induced decarboxylative acylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons with α-oxocarboxylic acid via Csp2–Csp2cross-coupling: a facile access to chalcones

Abstract

We describe a streamlined and efficient strategy for synthesizing chalcones via photocatalytic decarboxylative cross-acyl coupling of α-oxocarboxylic acid with styrene, employing an organic photoredox catalyst under visible light irradiation as a sustainable energy input. Detailed mechanistic studies demonstrate that the transformation proceeds through a radical mechanism. Furthermore, the broad functional group tolerance, compatibility with structurally complex and biorelevant substrates, and facile scalability collectively underscore the robustness and synthetic utility of the developed methodology. This methodology holds significant promise for the late-stage modification of bioactive molecules and natural products. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025