Photocatalyzed cascade Meerwein addition/cyclization of N-benzylacrylamides toward azaspirocycles.

A visible-light-induced cascade Meerwein addition/cyclization of alkenes involving C-F bond cleavage was developed. This method offers a rapid access to azaspirocyclic cyclohexadienones from N-benzylacrylamides via C-F bond cleavage applying H2O as an external oxygen source, allowing for the incorporation of various aromatic moieties originating from aryldiazonium salts.