Visible-Light-Promoted Photocatalyst-Free Hydroacylation and Diacylation of Alkenes Tuned by NiCl₂·DME

Herein, we describe a visible light-promoted hydroacylation strategy that facilitates the preparation of ketones from alkenes and 4-acyl-1,4-dihydropyridines via an acyl radical addition and hydrogen atom transfer pathway under photocatalyst-free conditions. The efficiency was highlighted by wide substrate scope, good to high yields, successful scale-up experiments, and expedient preparation of highly functionalized ketone derivatives. In addition, this protocol allows for the synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds through alkene diacylation in the presence of NiCl₂·DME.