Visible-Light Photoredox-catalyzed Hydrocarboxylation of Imines with CO₂ for the Synthesis of α-amino Acid Derivatives

Green chemistry education serves as the cornerstone for advancing sustainable chemistry. Introducing undergraduate experimental courses that incorporate cutting-edge research and align with green chemistry principles is of great significance in cultivating students’ innovative thinking and sustainability consciousness. This experiment is designed toward the utilization of the greenhouse gas CO₂, employing visible-light photocatalysis—a green technology—to facilitate the hydrocarboxylation of N-benzoyl benzophenone imine with CO₂, efficiently synthesizing α-amino acid derivatives. The product is subsequently characterized via ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The experiment adheres to green chemistry principles by converting CO₂ into high-value chemicals, exemplifying a “waste-to-wealth” transformation. Moreover, the synthetic methodology is innovative, helping students understand emerging visible-light photocatalysis while learning about CO₂ utilization and α-amino acid synthesis.