Photochemical cyclopropanation in aqueous micellar media - experimental and theoretical studies.

While in nature, reactions occur in water-based confined compartments, for a long time, water has been often regarded as an unsuitable medium for organic reactions. We have, however, found that photochemical cyclopropanation of styrenes with diazo compounds or their precursors can be performed in micellar systems. COSMO-RS studies revealed that the reactivity correlates with the predicted critical micelle concentration (CMC), with higher CMC values delivering higher yields.

TBADT-Mediated Photocatalytic Stereoselective Radical Alkylation of Chiral N-Sulfinyl Imines: Towards Efficient Synthesis of Diverse Chiral Amines.

Herein we describe a sustainable and efficient photocatalytic method for the stereoselective radical alkylation of chiral sulfinyl imines. By employing readily available non-prefunctionalized radical precursors and the cost-effective TBADT as a direct HAT photocatalyst, we successfully obtain diverse chiral amines with high yields and excellent diastereoselectivity under mild conditions. This method provides an efficient approach for accessing a diverse array of medicinally relevant compounds, including both natural and synthetic α-amino acids, aryl ethyl amines, and other structural motifs commonly found in approved pharmaceuticals and natural product.