Synthesis of Hydroxy Acids via the Light-Driven Carboxylation of Epoxides with CO2

Abstract

Light-driven ring-opening carboxylation of epoxides with CO2 provided β-hydroxy acids via the sequential single electron transfer (SET), followed by the reaction with CO2. This reaction condition was applicable to aryl epoxides and oxetanes with (hetero)polycyclic aromatics to give the corresponding β- and γ-hydroxy acids, respectively, with the high chemoselectivity.