Direct photolysis of 4-tert-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines under blue-light irradiation for the generation of tertiary alkyl radicals

Herein, we disclose a direct photolysis approach for the generation of tertiary alkyl radicals from 4-tert-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines under blue LED irradiation. The reaction occurs under mild conditions, does not require the use of exogenous photocatalysts or oxidants, and mechanistic investigations reveal that the presence of base is crucial for radical generation.