A photocatalytic iminyl radical-mediated C–C bond cleavage/addition/cyclization cascade for the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrenes

On the basis of the strategy of iminyl radical-mediated C–C bond cleavage, a visible light photocatalytic radical addition/cyclization cascade is described, providing an efficient and regioselective access to cyanoalkylated 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrenes.