The first catalytic hydrocarboxylation of enamides and imines with CO2 to generate valuable α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids is reported. Notably, excellent chemo‐ and regio‐selectivity are achieved, significantly different from previous reports on β‐carboxylation of enamides, homocoupling or reduction of imines. Moreover, this transition‐metal‐free procedure exhibits low loading of an inexpensive catalyst
photocatalytic umpolung strategy for reductive carboxylation of imines for the synthesis of α-aminoacids was disclosed. Carbon dioxide radical anion (CO2•–) generated from formate is the key single electron reductant in the reactions. An unprecedentedly broad substrate scope of imines with excellent reaction yields was obtained with carbon dioxide (CO2) and formate salt as carbon sources.