Visible light-mediated oxidative decarboxylation of arylacetic acids into benzyl radicals: addition to electron-deficient alkenes by using photoredox catalysts

Reactions of arylacetic acids bearing an amino group at the para-position in the benzene ring with alkenes in the presence of a catalytic amount of transition metal polypyridyl complexes as photocatalysts under visible light illumination proceed smoothly to give the corresponding benzylated products via oxidative decarboxylation in good to high yields.