Iron Photocatalysis Applied to Oxidative Amidation of Aldehydes with NaCl

A synthesis of amides from aldehydes promoted by the photoactive complex of Fe2SO4 with 2‐picolinic acid, NaCl as a chlorine source, and Na2S2O8 as a benign oxidant is reported. The reaction is mediated by visible light and is carried out at room temperature in the absence of additives. Fe2SO4 is a readily available earth‐abundant metal (EAMs) salt, which does not need to be prepared and is environmentally sustainable. Both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and mono‐ and disubstituted amines have been investigated for this transformation. This study opens intriguing perspectives for extending the application of photoactive complex iron salts toward halogenation processes as well as for C−H activation reactions and contributes to the field of earth‐abundant metal based catalysis. A visible‐light‐mediated oxidative amidation of aldehydes promoted by a photoactive complex of Fe2SO4 with 2‐picolinic acid, NaCl as a chlorine source, Na2SO8 as an oxidant, and acetone as the solvent is reported. Fe2SO4 is an earth‐abundant metal salt that is commercially readily available and environmentally sustainable. Sodium chloride is a green and sustainable chlorine source.