9,10-Dicyanoanthracene Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkynylation of Carboxylic Acids Under Visible-Light Irradiation

A metal-free, visible-light-induced photocatalytic procedure for decarboxylative alkynylation of carboxylic acids was reported. With 9,10-dicyanoanthracene as the photoredox catalyst, the reaction covered a broad scope of α-amino acids, α-oxo acids, and α-keto acids with blue LED irradiation at room temperature under an atmosphere of argon, delivering alkynyl products in moderate to excellent yields. Natural sun light also promoted this alkynylation strategy. This work represents the first example of an organophotocatalytic method for decarboxylative alkynylation of carboxylic acids.