Iron Photocatalysis Applied to Oxidative Amidation of Aldehydes with NaCl

Abstract

A synthesis of amides from aldehydes promoted by the photoactive complex of Fe2SO4 with 2‐picolinic acid, NaCl as chlorine source, Na2S2O8 as a benign oxidant is reported. The reaction is mediated by visible‐light and is carried out at room temperature in absence of additives. Fe2SO4 is a readily available earth‐abundant metal (EAMs) salt, not needed to be prepared and is environmentally sustainable. Both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and mono‐ and disubstituted amines have been texted in this transformation. This report opens intriguing perspectives for extendeding application of photoactive complex iron salts toward halogenation processes as well as for C‐H activations and gives a contribution to the field of earth‐abundant metals based‐catalysis.