Organophotocatalytic pyridination of N-arylglycines with 4-cyanopyridines by decarboxylative and decyanative radical-radical coupling

A photocatalytic decarboxylative aminoalkylation of 4-cyanopyridines with N-arylglycines is achieved, providing 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine derivatives in moderate to good yields. This organic photocatalytic reaction undergoes a radical-radical cross-coupling process under redox-neutral conditions, featuring simple operation, readily available N-arylglycines and a broad substrate scope. Mechanistic investigations indicated that a proton-coupled electron-transfer process was involved to enable the single electron transfer between the reduced photocatalyst and 4-cyanopyridine in the presence of N-arylglycines.