Uses of <i>α</i> ‐Oxocarboxylic Acids in Photoinduced Minisci Reactions

Abstract The late‐stage functionalization of heteroaromatic compounds is a valuable strategy in synthetic chemistry. A particularly effective transformation in this respect is the recently developed visible‐light‐mediated Minisci‐type reaction for constructing functionalized N ‐heteroarenes utilizing stable and inexpensive α ‐keto acids. This review focuses on the uses of α ‐oxocarboxylic acids in the photoinduced Minisci‐type acylation, hydroxyalkylation and arylation of N ‐heteroarenes. The scope of each methodology, its mechanism, and practical applications in synthesis are discussed.