Visible light-induced transformation of aldehydes to esters, carboxylic anhydrides and amides

A transition metal- and organophotocatalyst free synthesis of esters, carboxylic anhydrides and amides from aldehydes induced by visible-light has been reported. The proposed methodology can be carried out by the use of sunlight or artificial visible light as a blue LED source. The methodology has a very broad applicability and the desired products are obtained in very satisfactory yields.