Photoredox-Catalyzed Generation of Acetonyl Radical in Flow: Theoretical Investigation and Synthetic Applications

A hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) step from acetone allowed the smooth generation of acetonyl radical that was then exploited as synthon in the mild formation of C–C bonds under flow conditions. The process was promoted by aryl radicals photocatalytically generated via single-electron transfer (SET) reduction of arenediazonium salts. The mechanism has been investigated by a combined experimental and computational approach and further supported by deuterium labeling experiments.