The photochemical addition of acyl radical to electron-deficient olefins is studied. The scope of the reaction, the mechanism, the role that molecular oxygen plays, the influence of steric effects, and the side reaction that take place are discussed. The reaction was carried out using a range of electron-withdrawing substituents (ketones, amides, lactones, nitrile and esters) with good yields of the corresponding photoadduct in all cases.
