Various fumaric acid diamides were alkylated by reaction with photogenerated radicals. The radicals were produced either by benzophenone triplet hydrogen abstraction (from 1,3-dioxolane, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane and adamantane) or via photoinduced electron transfer sensitised by DCN/biphenyl from stannanes (t-BuSnPh3 and Bu4Sn). When chiral substrates were employed the reaction occurred with a good degree of stereoselectivity even when acyclic alkyl radicals were involved. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.