Photoinduced C(sp3)-H Chalcogenation of Amide Derivatives and Ethers via Ligand-to-Metal Charge-Transfer.

A photoinduced, iron(III) chloride-catalyzed C-H activation of N-methyl amides and ethers leads to the formation of C-S and C-Se bonds via a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) process. This methodology converts secondary and tertiary amides, sulfonamides, and carbamates into the corresponding amido-N,S-acetal derivatives in good yields. Mechanistic work revealed that this transformation proceeds through a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) involving chlorine radical intermediates.

Photoredox Polyfluoroarylation of Alkyl Halides via Halogen Atom Transfer.

Polyfluoroarene moieties are of interest in medicinal chemistry, agrochemicals, and material sciences. Herein, we present the first polyfluoroarylation of unactivated alkyl halides via a halogen atom transfer process. This method converts primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides into the respective polyfluoroaryl compounds in good yields in the presence of amide, carbamate, ester, aromatic, and sulfonamide moieties, including derivatives of complex bioactive molecules. Mechanistic work revealed that this transformation proceeds through an alkyl radical generated after the halogen atom transfer.

Metal-free visible-light-promoted C(sp3)-H functionalization of aliphatic cyclic ethers using trace O2.

Presented is a light-promoted C-C bond forming reaction yielding sulfone and phosphate derivatives at room temperature in the absence of metals or photoredox catalyst. This transformation proceeds in neat conditions through an auto-oxidation mechanism which is maintained through the leaching of trace amounts of O2 as sole green oxidant.