Visible‐light‐driven α‐Oxidation of Amide C(sp3)−H Bonds to Imides via N‐Bromosuccinimide and Water

An efficient, metal‐free oxidation method of the N‐ortho C(sp3)−H bond of amide via visible‐light irradiation has been developed. A broad range of imides can be facilely obtained at room temperature and this protocol is showcased in the gram‐scale synthesis. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process was involved and H2O offered the main oxygen source to achieve greener photochemical C(sp3)−H oxidation. A metal‐free oxidation of the N‐ortho C(sp3)−H bond of amides to imides via visible‐light‐assisted homolytic cleavage of the N−Br bond of NBS has been developed. H2O offered the main oxygen source to achieve greener photochemical C(sp3)−H oxidation.