Synthesis of alcohols: streamlined C1 to Cn hydroxyalkylation through photoredox catalysis

Naturally occurring and readily available alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids (AHAs) are utilized as platforms for visible light-mediated oxidative CO2-extrusion furnishing alpha-hydroxy radicals proved to be versatile C1 to Cn hydroxyalkylating agents. The direct decarboxylative Giese reaction (DDGR) is operationally simple, not requiring activator or sacrificial oxidants, and enables the synthesis of a diverse range of hydroxylated products, introducing connectivity typically precluded from conventional polar domains. Notably, the methodology has been extended to widely used glycolic acid resulting in a highly efficient and unprecedented C1 hydroxyhomologation tactic. The use of flow technology further facilitates scalability and adds green credentials to this synthetic methodology.