Cross-Coupling of Carbonyl Derivatives and N-Arylamines Enabled by Visible Light for Easy Access to 1,2-Amino Alcohols

We disclosed a new strategy for the synthesis of 1,2-amino alcohols enabled by visible light without the requirement of a photocatalyst and metal. Under light irradiation at 400 nm, the reaction of carbonyl derivatives and N -arylamines proceeds via an electron-donor–acceptor (EDA) intermediate, obtaining diverse vicinal amino alcohols decorated with a two-electron-rich/-deficient aryl group.