N‐Alkenoxypyridinium salts have been used as synthons for the umpolung reaction of enolates for the preparation of α‐functionalized carbonyl compounds. In contrast, we found that the photoreduction of N‐alkenoxypyridinium salts generates α‐carbonyl radicals after cleavage of the N−O bond, thereby allowing simultaneous incorporation of α‐keto and pyridyl groups across unactivated alkenes. In the process, the formed α‐carbonyl radicals engage unactivated alkenes to afford alkyl radical intermediates poised for subsequent addition to pyridinium salts, which ultimately affords a variety of γ‐pyridyl ketones under mild reaction conditions. This transformation is characterized by a broad substrate scope and good functional‐group compatibility, and the utility of this transformation was further demonstrated by the late‐stage functionalization of complex biorelevant molecules.

A novel visible-light-enabled alkoxy radical ring-closure and pyridylation from N-alkenyloxypyridinium salts was achieved under metal-free mild conditions, offering a powerful synthetic tool for assembling various pyridine-tethered tetrahydrofurans.

A catalytic method for the enantioselective and C4-selective functionalization of pyridine derivatives is yet to be developed. Herein, we report an efficient method for the asymmetric β-pyridylations of enals that involve N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis with excellent control over enantioselectivity and pyridyl C4-selectivity. The key strategy for precise stereocontrol involves enhancing interactions between the chiral NHC-bound homoenolate and pyridinium salt in the presence of hexafluorobenzene, which effectively differentiates the two faces of the homoenolate radical. Room temperature is sufficient for this transformation, and reaction efficiency is further accelerated by photo-mediation. This methodology exhibits broad functional group tolerance and enables facile access to a diverse range of enantioenriched β-pyridyl carbonyl compounds under mild and metal-free conditions.