A new domino reaction has been developed that allows the combination of styrenes and α-alkyl ketone radicals to afford a wide array of polysubstituted furans in good to excellent yields under mild and simple reaction condition. Key to the success of this novel protocol is the use of photocatalyst fac-Ir(ppy)3 and oxidant K2S2O8. Mechanistic studies by radical scavenger and photoluminescence quenching suggest that a radical addition/oxidation pathway is operable. 

Chemistry - A European Journal, 2016