Metal-Free Oxidative Decarbonylative Coupling of Aliphatic Aldehydes with Azaarenes: Successful Minisci-Type Alkylation of Various Heterocycles

A metal-free oxidative decarbonylative coupling of aliphatic aldehydes with various electron-deficient heterocycles has been developed. This reaction is supposed to be realized via a Minisci-type mechanism, based on the substrate scope, regioselectivity and radical trapping experiments. The ready availability of aliphatic aldehydes, metal-free conditions and broad substrate scope should make this method attractive for the late-stage alkylation of bioactive heterocycles.