Photoinduced decarboxylative 1,6-addition of para-quinone methides with alpha-keto acids: an eco-friendly approach to alpha,alpha '-diarylated ketones

The photoinduced decarboxylative 1,6-addition of para-quinone methides with alpha-keto acids in an eco-friendly approach to alpha,alpha '-diarylated ketones is developed. This reaction proceeds smoothly with a broad substrate scope in the presence of cheap photocatalysts. Some of alpha,alpha '-diarylated ketones were applied as fluorescent dyes into the fluorescence spectrum and live-cell imaging.