A practical and sustainable two-component Minisci alkylation via photo-induced EDA-complex activation.

An operationally simple, open-air, and efficient light-mediated Minisci C-H alkylation method is described, based on the formation of an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex between nitrogen-containing heterocycles and redox-active esters. In contrast to previously reported protocols, this method does not require a photocatalyst, an external single electron transfer agent, or an oxidant additive. Achieved under mildly acidic and open-air conditions, the reaction incorporates primary-, secondary-, and tertiary radicals, including bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl (BCP) radicals, along with various heterocycles to generate Minisci alkylation products in moderate to good yields. Additionally, the method is exploited to generate a stereo-enriched, hetereoaryl-substituted carbohydrate.

Photoredox-mediated hydroalkylation and hydroarylation of functionalized olefins for DNA-encoded library synthesis.

DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology features a time- and cost-effective interrogation format for the discovery of therapeutic candidates in the pharmaceutical industry. To develop DEL platforms, the implementation of water-compatible transformations that facilitate the incorporation of multifunctional building blocks (BBs) with high C(sp3) carbon counts is integral for success. In this report, a decarboxylative-based hydroalkylation of DNA-conjugated trifluoromethyl-substituted alkenes enabled by single-electron transfer (SET) and subsequent hydrogen atom termination through electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex activation is detailed. In a further photoredox-catalyzed hydroarylation protocol, the coupling of functionalized, electronically unbiased olefins is achieved under air and within minutes of blue light irradiation through the intermediacy of reactive (hetero)aryl radical species with full retention of the DNA tag integrity. Notably, these processes operate under mild reaction conditions, furnishing complex structural scaffolds with a high density of pendant functional groups.

Catalyst-Free Decarbonylative Trifluoromethylthiolation Enabled by Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex Photoactivation.

A catalyst- and additive-free decarbonylative trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehyde feedstocks has been developed. This operationally simple, scalable, and open-to-air transformation is driven by the selective photoexcitation of electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes, stemming from the association of 1,4-dihydropyridines (donor) with N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide (acceptor), to trigger intermolecular single-electron transfer events under ambient- and visible light-promoted conditions. Extension to other electron acceptors enables the synthesis of thiocyanates and thioesters, as well as the difunctionalization of [1.1.1] propellane. The mechanistic intricacies of this photochemical paradigm are elucidated through a combination of experimental efforts and high-level quantum mechanical calculations [dispersion-corrected (U)DFT, DLPNO-CCSD(T), and TD-DFT]. This comprehensive study highlights the necessity for EDA complexation for efficient alkyl radical generation. Computation of subsequent ground state pathways reveals that SH2 addition of the alkyl radical to the intermediate radical EDA complex is extremely exergonic and results in a charge transfer event from the dihydropyridine donor to the N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide acceptor of the EDA complex. Experimental and computational results further suggest that product formation also occurs via SH2 reaction of alkyl radicals with 1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)disulfane, generated in-situ through combination of thiyl radicals.

Stereoinduction in Metallaphotoredox Catalysis.

Metallaphotoredox catalysis has evolved into an enabling platform to construct C(sp3 )-hybridized centers under remarkably mild reaction conditions. The cultivation of abundant radical precursor feedstocks has significantly increased the scope of transition-metal-catalyzed cross-couplings, especially with respect to C(sp2 )-C(sp3 ) linkages. In recent years, considerable effort has been devoted to understanding the origin of stereoinduction in dual catalytic processes. In this context, Ni- and Cu-catalyzed transformations have played a predominant role exploiting this mode of catalysis. Herein, we provide a critical overview on recent progress in enantioselective bond formations enabled by Ni- and Cu-catalyzed manifolds. Furthermore, selected stereochemical control elements within the realm of diastereoselective transformations are discussed.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Oxycodone via Anodic Aryl-Aryl Coupling.

A fully regio- and diastereoselective electrochemical 4a-2'-coupling of a 3',4',5'-trioxygenated laudanosine derivative enables the synthesis of the corresponding morphinandienone. This key intermediate is further transformed into (-)-oxycodone through conjugate nucleophilic substitution for E-ring closure and [4 + 2] cycloaddition with photogenerated singlet oxygen to accomplish diastereoselective hydroxylation at C-14. The anodic transformation provides high yields and can be performed under constant current conditions both in a simple undivided cell or in continuous flow.

A Regio- and Diastereoselective Anodic Aryl-Aryl Coupling in the Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (-)-Thebaine.

The biosynthesis of thebaine is based on the regioselective, intramolecular, oxidative coupling of (R)-reticuline. For decades, chemists have sought to mimic this coupling by using stoichiometric oxidants. However, all approaches to date have suffered from low yields or the formation of undesired regioisomers. Electrochemistry would represent a sustainable alternative in this respect but all attempts to accomplish an electrochemical synthesis of thebaine have failed so far. Herein, a regio- and diastereoselective anodic coupling of 3',4',5'-trioxygenated laudanosine derivatives is presented, which finally enables electrochemical access to (-)-thebaine.

Light-Induced Alkylation of (Hetero)aromatic Nitriles in a Transition-Metal-Free C-C-Bond Metathesis.

A light-induced C-C-σ-bond metathesis was achieved through transition-metal-free activation of an unstrained C(sp3)-C(sp3)-σ-bond in 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines. A photoredox-mediated single-electron oxidation of these precursor amines yield radical cations which undergo a homolytic cleavage of a C(sp3)-C(sp3)-σ-bond rather than the well-known α-C-H-scission. The resulting carbon-centered radicals are used in the ipso-substitution of (hetero)aromatic nitriles proceeding through another single-electron transfer-mediated C-C-bond cleavage and formation.

Light Induced C-C Coupling of 2-Chlorobenzazoles with Carbamates, Alcohols, and Ethers.

A light induced, transition-metal-free C-C coupling reaction of 2-chlorobenzazoles with aliphatic carbamates, alcohols, and ethers is presented. Inexpensive reagents, namely sodium acetate, benzophenone, water, and acetonitrile, are employed in a simple reaction protocol using a cheap and widely available 25 W energy saving UV-A lamp at ambient temperature.

A Highly Active System for the Metal-Free Aerobic Photocyanation of Tertiary Amines with Visible Light: Application to the Synthesis of Tetraponerines and Crispine A.

A highly efficient metal-free catalytic system for the aerobic photocyanation of tertiary amines with visible light is reported. The use of air as terminal oxidant offers an improved safety profile compared with pure oxygen, the used compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) light sources are highly economical, and no halogenated solvents are required. This system not only proves to be effective for a wide variety of trialkylamines, pharmaceuticals, and alkaloids but remarkably also allows the lowest catalyst loading (0.00001 mol% or 0.1 ppm) ever reported for an organic dye. Bruylants reactions and C-alkylation/decyanations were performed on the obtained α-aminonitriles to demonstrate the postfunctionalization of complex molecules. The catalytic system is furthermore applied in the short and effective syntheses of the alkaloids (±)-crispine A and the tetraponerines T7 and T8.