Visible Light Activated Radical Denitrative Benzoylation of <italic>β</italic>‐Nitrostyrenes: A Photocatalytic Approach to Chalcones.

Abstract: A metal‐free, convenient photocatalytic approach to chalcones from <italic>β</italic>‐nitrostyrenes and benzaldehydes via a radical denitrative benzoylation pathway is reported. The salient features of the protocol include the utilization of visible light as an inexpensive and ecosustainable energy source, <italic>N</italic>‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as a reusable organophotocatalyst and acetonitrile as an acceptable green solvent to afford chalcones in excellent yields at room temperature in a one‐pot procedure. Notably, this is the first application of <italic>β</italic>‐nitrostyrenes as readily available substrates for chalcone synthesis and the first example of photocatalysis in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]