Visible Light-Induced Iodine-Catalyzed Transformation of Terminal Alkynes to Primary Amides via CC Bond Cleavage under Aqueous Conditions

The visible light-induced iodine-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of the C C bond for transforming terminal alkynes into primary amides in the presence of ammonia under aqueous conditions is described. This metal-free protocol which ensued via initial hydroamination of the acetylene bond followed by liberation of diiodomethane (CH2I2) was found to be applicable to aromatic, heteroaromatic and aliphatic alkynes.