Visible-light-promoted radical alkylation/cyclization of allylic amide with N-hydroxyphthalimide ester: Synthesis of oxazolines

An efficient photocatalytic alkylation/cyclization of allylic amide with N-hydroxyphthalimide ester has been developed. The transformation is taken advantage of alkyl radicals to attack allylic amide with the assist of inexpensive rose bengal as photocatalyst to prepare a series of alkyl substituted oxazolines in moderate to excellent yields. High regioselectivity, operational safety, mild conditions and excellent substrate generality give this protocol broad application prospects.