Dual Catalysis Relay: Coupling of Aldehydes and Alkenes Enabled by Visible-Light and NHC-Catalyzed Cross-Double C–H Functionalizations

Direct functionalizations of two distinct inert C–H bonds represent the most ideal ways to construct C–C bonds. Herein, we report an intermolecular vinylation of aldehydes using alkenes as the vinylating reagents through sequential two-fold C–H functionalizations. The merging of visible light and N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis allows for the coupling of alkenes with aldehydes through a dual catalysis relay enabled cross-dehydrogenative coupling mechanism. The use of diphenoquinone is essential for the success of this reaction, which plays an intriguing two-fold role in the reaction, as an electron acceptor as well as a radical reservoir for the radical coupling enabling the C–C forming process.