One Carbon at a Time: Unlocking Iterative Carboxylic Acid Homologation

Abstract The development of a direct and iterative protocol for carboxylic acid homologation has constituted a long-standing challenge in synthesis. We recently disclosed an efficient and practical strategy for the homologation of unmodified carboxylic acids, which exploits the visible-light photoredox reactivity of nitroethylene. This Synpacts article aims to provide an overview of the motivation behind the design of the homologation strategy and the key insights of its development. 1 Introduction: Homologation Background and Relevance 2 Development of a Direct, Iterative Carboxylic Acid Homologation 2.1 Identifying an Optimal C2-Radical Acceptor for Carboxylic Acid Homologation 2.2 Visible-Light Decarboxylation of Unmodified Carboxylic Acids 3 Conclusion