Friedel–Crafts Amidoalkylation via Thermolysis and Oxidative Photocatalysis

Friedel–Crafts amidoalkylation was achieved by oxidation of dialkylamides using persulfate (S2O82–) in the presence of the visible light catalyst, Ru(bpy)3Cl2, at room temperature, via a reactive N-acyliminium intermediate. Alternatively, mild heating of the dialkylamides and persulfate afforded a metal and Lewis acid-free Friedel–Crafts amidoalkylation. Alcohols and electron-rich arenes served as effective nucleophiles, forming new C–O or C–C bonds. In general, photocatalysis provided higher yields and better selectivities.