A metal-free protocol through visible light mediated oxidative cleavage of C
C bonds to directly construct C
N bonds has been developed for the conversion of alkenes to hydrazones under mild conditions. The reaction involves a diazetidine intermediate that is generated by [2 + 2] annulation of alkenes with diazenes generated in situ by single-electron oxidation of arylhydrazines. The key features of this reaction include a broad substrate scope and readily available reagents.
![Graphical abstract: Direct synthesis of hydrazones by visible light mediated aerobic oxidative cleavage of the C [[double bond, length as m-dash]] C bond](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C7QO00276A.jpg)