Friedel–Crafts Amidoalkylation via Thermolysis and Oxidative Photocatalysis

Friedel–Crafts amidoalkylation was achieved by oxidation of dialkylamides using persulfate (S₂O₈^2–) in the presence of the visible light catalyst, Ru­(bpy)₃Cl₂, at room temperature, via a reactive <i>N</i>-acyliminium intermediate. Alternatively, mild heating of the dialkylamides and persulfate afforded a metal and Lewis acid-free Friedel–Crafts amidoalkylation. Alcohols and electron-rich arenes served as effective nucleophiles, forming new C–O or C–C bonds. In general, photocatalysis provided higher yields and better selectivities