Dicarbofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes organo-photoredox catalysis in water: access to cyanoalkylated fused quinazolinones

A visible light-induced C-C bond cleavage/addition/cyclization cascade of oxime esters and unactivated alkenes has been developed using water as the solvent. This green protocol offers an easy access to medicinally valuable cyanoalkylated quinazolinones. Mild reaction conditions, functional group tolerance and late-stage functionalization of complex molecules are the important features of this transformation. An organophotocatalyzed synthesis of polycyclic quinazolinones with a distal nitrile group is reported in the aqueous medium.