Visible Light Promoted Metal- and Photocatalyst-Free Synthesis of Allylarenes

The metal- and photocatalyst-free synthesis of substituted allylarenes has been carried out under visible light driven conditions. The process was based on the photo generation of aryl radicals from arylazo sulfones and their ensuing reaction with allyl sulfones. The developed procedure was very efficient when using substrates bearing electron withdrawing groups, and allowed for the preparation of a-benzyl styrenes and 2-benzyl acrylates, in good yields.