Visible-light-catalyzed synthesis of amino alcohols from N,N-dimethylaniline and aryl aldehyde

Herein, we describe a direct radical addition reaction of aryl aldehyde and N, N-dimethylaniline using iridium complex as photocatalyst to form amino alcohols under mild conditions, offering a convenient and sustainable methodology. The reaction could be easily scaled up through continuous flow reaction with high yield. A series of amino alcohol compounds were synthesized with iridium complex as photocatalyst. The reaction could be scaled up with continuous flow reaction. The reaction mechanism has been investigated with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Graphical Abstract A direct radical addition reaction of aryl aldehyde and N, N-dimethylaniline to synthesize of amino alcohols compounds under mild conditions, and can be easily scale-up through continuous flow.