Photochemical direct C3 cyanoalkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with cyclobutanone oxime esters under catalyst-free conditions

[Display omitted] •Photochemical direct C3 cyanoalkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was achieved.•Cyclobutanone oxime esters were used as cyanoalkylation reagents.•No metal and no photocatalyst was used. A photochemical direct C3 cyanoalkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was achieved for the first time, using cyclobutanone oxime esters as cyanoalkyl precursors, without the need for a photocatalyst. The mild and environmentally friendly conditions make this protocol a valuable alternative for synthesizing C3 cyanoalkylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.