Photocatalytic Oxidation of α‐Substituted Amines to Lactams/Amides

We, herein, report a base free, photocatalytic decyanation of α‐aminonitriles. A range of amides and lactams were obtained in 52‐95% yields. Control experiments indicate O2 as an amide/lactam oxygen source and the reaction (lactam formation) follows radical pathway via dioxetanimine species. This methodology also applied for α‐ester/aldehyde substituted pyrrolidines in the presence of a base, probably via decarboxylation pathway.