Visible-light-induced decarboxylative alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with phenyliodine(III) dicarboxylates by cerium photocatalysis

Despite advances in the photoredox catalysis using organic dyes or expensive Ir and Ru complexes, the discovery and employment of photocatalysts based on alternative and abundant metal salts remain highly necessary. Herein, the visible-light-induced decarboxylative alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with phenyliodine(III) dicarboxylate has been accomplished using inexpensive and catalytic amount of CeCl3 as the photocatalyst. The novel protocol has advantages of mild conditions, high yields and good substrate scope. Control experiments indicate that a radical mechanism is responsible for the present transformation.