C1-4 Alkylation of Aryl Bromides with Light Alkanes enabled by Metallaphotocatalysis in Flow.

The homologous series of gaseous C1-4 alkanes represents one of the most abundant sources of short alkyl fragments. However, their application in synthetic organic chemistry is exceedingly rare due to the challenging C-H bond cleavage, which typically demands high temperatures and pressures, thereby limiting their utility in the construction of complex organic molecules. In particular, the formation of C(sp2)-C(sp3) bonds is crucial for constructing biologically active molecules, including pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. In this study, we present the previously elusive coupling between gaseous alkanes and (hetero)aryl bromides, achieved through a combination of Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) photocatalysis and nickel-catalyzed cross coupling at room temperature. Utilizing flow technology allowed us to conduct this novel coupling reaction with reduced reaction times and in a scalable fashion, rendering it practical for widespread adoption in both academia and industry. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations unveiled that the oxidative addition constitutes the rate-determining step, with the activation energy barrier increasing with smaller alkyl radicals. Furthermore, radical isomerization observed in propane and butane analogues could be attributed to the electronic properties of the bromoarene coupling partner, highlighting the crucial role of oxidative addition in the observed selectivity of this transformation.

The Merger of Benzophenone HAT Photocatalysis and Silyl Radical-Induced XAT Enables Both Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling and 1,2-Dicarbofunctionalization of Olefins.

A strategy for both cross-electrophile coupling and 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of olefins has been developed. Carbon-centered radicals are generated from alkyl bromides by merging benzophenone hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) photocatalysis and silyl radical-induced halogen atom transfer (XAT) and are subsequently intercepted by a nickel catalyst to forge the targeted C(sp3)-C(sp2) and C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds. The mild protocol is fast and scalable using flow technology, displays broad functional group tolerance, and is amenable to a wide variety of medicinally relevant moieties. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the ketone catalyst, upon photoexcitation, is responsible for the direct activation of the silicon-based XAT reagent (HAT-mediated XAT) that furnishes the targeted alkyl radical and is ultimately involved in the turnover of the nickel catalytic cycle.

A photochemical dehydrogenative strategy for aniline synthesis.

Chemical reactions that reliably join two molecular fragments together (cross-couplings) are essential to the discovery and manufacture of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals1,2. The introduction of amines onto functionalized aromatics at specific and pre-determined positions (ortho versus meta versus para) is currently achievable only in transition-metal-catalysed processes and requires halogen- or boron-containing substrates3-6. The introduction of these groups around the aromatic unit is dictated by the intrinsic reactivity profile of the method (electrophilic halogenation or C-H borylation) so selective targeting of all positions is often not possible. Here we report a non-canonical cross-coupling approach for the construction of anilines, exploiting saturated cyclohexanones as aryl electrophile surrogates. Condensation between amines and carbonyls, a process that frequently occurs in nature and is often used by (bio-)organic chemists7, enables a predetermined and site-selective carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bond formation, while a photoredox- and cobalt-based catalytic system progressively desaturates the cyclohexene ring en route to the aniline. Given that functionalized cyclohexanones are readily accessible with complete regiocontrol using the well established carbonyl reactivity, this approach bypasses some of the frequent selectivity issues of aromatic chemistry. We demonstrate the utility of this C-N coupling protocol by preparing commercial medicines and by the late-stage amination-aromatization of natural products, steroids and terpene feedstocks.

Visible light promoted continuous flow photocyclization of 1,2-diketones.

The continuous flow Norrish-Yang photocyclization of 1,2-diketones has been developed and used for the synthesis of a large number of functionalized 2-hydroxycyclobutanones, under blue light irradiation and employing acetone as a solvent. This eco-friendly procedure represents a valid alternative to the reactions carried out in batches thus reducing the reaction times, the formation of secondary products and simplifying the purification steps. The use of differently substituted diketone compounds has allowed us to obtain a wide range of 2 and 3-functionalized cyclobutanones, thus allowing the evaluation of the scope and limitations of this procedure.

Tandem Wittig Reaction-Ring Contraction of Cyclobutanes: A Route to Functionalized Cyclopropanecarbaldehydes.

An original tandem reaction consisting of a Wittig reaction-ring contraction process between α-hydroxycyclobutanone and phosphonium ylides has been developed. Highly functionalized cyclopropanecarbaldehydes are obtained in good to high yield.

Catalytic Tandem Friedel-Crafts Alkylation/C4-C3 Ring-Contraction Reaction: An Efficient Route for the Synthesis of Indolyl Cyclopropanecarbaldehydes and Ketones.

A general strategy for the synthesis of indolyl cyclopropanecarbaldehydes and ketones via a Brønsted acid-catalyzed indole nucleophilic addition/ring-contraction reaction sequence has been exploited. The procedure leads to a wide panel of cyclopropyl carbonyl compounds in generally high yields with a broad substrate scope.

Synthesis of ß-sulfinyl cyclobutane carboxylic amides via a formal α to ß sulphoxide migration process.

An original tandem reaction consisting of a thermal elimination-addition process was developed. Highly substituted ß-sulfinyl cyclobutane carboxylic acid derivatives were obtained from isomeric α-sulfinyl derivatives in a single operation in good to high yields and with high trans diastereoselectivity.

Brønsted Acid Mediated Cascade Reaction To Access 3-(2-Bromoethyl)benzofurans.

A unified protocol for the construction of 3-(2-bromoethyl)benzofurans and 2-(benzofuran-3-yl)ethylamines from bis[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]cyclobutene has been developed. This mild and facile strategy was applied for the synthesis of a series of 5-HT serotonin receptor agonists, underlining its potential for the syntheses of bioactive compounds and natural products.

Acid-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized arylthio cyclopropane carbaldehydes and ketones.

A general strategy for the synthesis of arylthio cyclopropyl carbaldehydes and ketones via a Brønsted acid catalyzed arylthiol addition/ring contraction reaction sequence has been exploited. The procedure led to a wide panel of cyclopropyl carbaldehydes in generally high yields and with broad substrate scope. Mechanistic aspects and synthetic applications of this procedure were investigated.

Acid-catalyzed reaction of 2-hydroxycyclobutanone with benzylic alcohols.

The acid-promoted syntheses of 2-(benzyloxy)cyclobutanones and bis(benzyloxy)dioxatricyclo decanes were achieved starting from 2-hydroxycyclobutanone and variously functionalized benzyl alcohols. The reaction sequences afforded the desired products in good to high yields and in a solvent-dependent chemoselective fashion.