Facile photochemical synthesis of α-ketoamides and quinoxalines from amines and benzoylacetonitrile under mild conditions

A selective protocol for the synthesis of either alpha-ketoamides or quinoxaline derivatives under the same reaction conditions has been achieved simply by varying substitution number of amino-groups. The method features metal-free, room temperature and broad substrate scopes as well as no extra oxidant. This process applies to various substituent groups and gives products in moderate to good yield. Finally, a rational mechanism was proposed. (C) 2018 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.