The synergistic effect of self-assembly and visible-light induced the oxidative C-H acylation of N-heterocyclic aromatic compounds with aldehydes.

Constructing carbon-carbon bonds through oxidative cross-coupling between two hydrocarbon compounds is regarded as a foundational issue in green chemistry. High atom-economy and mild conditions are long term pursued goals in this field. Herein, we developed a visible-light mediated direct cross-coupling between N-heterocycles and aldehydes without the requirement of a photocatalyst. Several N-heterocycles afforded the acylation products with aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes in good yields. The reaction can be conducted under room temperature and easily scaled up.