Iodine(III)-Mediated Trifluoroacetylation of a C(sp2)-H or C(sp)-H Bond with Masked Trifluoroacyl Reagents.

A novel strategy for incorporating a trifluoroacetyl functionality into a range of structurally varied unsaturated bonds was developed by using PhI(OCOMe)2 as an oxidant with a masked trifluoroacyl reagent as a trifluoroacetyl radical precursor. The oxidative decarboxylation of the masked trifluoroacyl precursor followed by a tandem radical process provides versatile access to 5-exo-trig cyclization of N-arylacrylamides, direct C(sp2)-H trifluoroacetylation of quinolines, isoquinoline, 2H-indazole, and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, and C(sp)-H trifluoroacetylation of alkynes. This protocol is characterized by mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, and broad functional group compatibility.

Photosensitized 1,2-Difunctionalization of Alkenes to Access ß-Amino Sulfonamides.

A metal-free photosensitized 1,2-imino-sulfamoylation of olefins by employing a tailor-made sulfamoyl carbamate as the difunctionalization reagent has been established. This protocol exhibits versatility across a broad substrate scope, including aryl and aliphatic alkenes, leading to the synthesis of diverse ß-imino sulfonamides in moderate to good yields. This method is characterized by its metal-free reaction system, mild reaction conditions, excellent regioselectivity, and high atom economy, serving as a promising platform for the preparation of ß-amino sulfonamide-containing molecules, particularly in the context of drug discovery.

Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis-Enabled Aryl Formylation with 2,2-Dimethoxy-N,N-dimethylethan-1-amine as CO Source.

Herein, a dual photoredox/nickel catalyzed formylation of aryl bromide with commercially available 2,2-dimethoxy-N,N-dimethylethan-1-amine as an effective CO source has been successfully achieved, delivering a series of aromatic aldehydes in moderate to good yields. Compared with the traditional reductive carbonylation process, this newly designed synthetic protocol provides a straightforward toolbox to access aromatic aldehydes, obviating the use of carbon monoxide and stoichiometric reductants. Finally, the utility of this direct formylation reaction was demonstrated in the pharmaceutical analogue synthesis.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Selective α-Scission of PR3-OH Radicals to Access Hydroalkylation of Alkenes.

Photoinduced generation of phosphoranyl radicals offers a versatile strategy to access a variety of synthetically valuable radicals. A long-standing challenge remains in the regulation of phosphoranyl radical to undergo α-scission pathway, although the ß-scission mode has been intensively studied. We herein developed an unprecedented protocol for selective α-scission of the P(OH)R3 radical intermediate under photocatalytic conditions. This efficient P-C bond cleavage via α-scission of the P(OH)R3 radicals has been successfully utilized in the alkylation/fluoroalkylation of alkenes.

Visible-Light-Induced Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Aryl Bromides with Nitriles.

Herein, a visible-light-induced nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl bromide with nitrile has been reported. By utilization of readily available nitriles as carbonyl precursors, a range of structurally diverse aryl ketones were facilely constructed. The synthetic simplicity, mild reaction conditions, and acidic functional group tolerance would broaden the synthetic utilities of this developed protocol as an expedient alternative to Grignard/organolithium protocols.

Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis-Enabled Cross-Dehydrogenative C-H Amination of Indoles with Unactivated Amine.

Herein, a direct cross-dehydrogenative C-H amination of indoles has been successfully achieved, enabled by the merger of photocatalysis with nickel catalysis. This developed process does not require stoichiometric oxidants and prefunctionalization of amine partners, providing a concise platform for C-N bond formation. Moreover, the synthetic practicality of this transformation was well revealed by its high step- and atom-economy, high reaction efficiency, and broad functional group tolerance.

Visible-Light-Induced, Catalyst-Free Monofluoromethyl Sulfonylation of Alkenes with Iodine(III) Reagent and DABSO.

A visible-light-induced radical relay strategy to access heterocycles bearing a monofluoromethylsufonyl moiety is reported, with PhI(OCOCH2F)2 as the CH2F radical precursor and DABSO as the SO2 source. A range of oxindoles, containing a CH2FSO2CH2- group at the C3 position, were synthesized from N-arylacrylamides in up to 97% yields. The protocol features catalyst-free photochemical tandem, mild reaction conditions, broad functional group compatibility, and good to excellent yields.

Photocatalysed C-H amidation of indoles enabled by tert-butyl alkyl((perfluoropyridin-4-yl)oxy)carbamate.

Development of a new catalytic and straightforward strategy to construct C-N bonds is playing a pivotal role in synthetic chemistry. Here, we report a photocatalysed protocol to access direct C-H amidation of indoles, enabled by a rationally designed tert-butyl alkyl((perfluoropyridin-4-yl)oxy)carbamate. A series of biologically important aminoindoles were prepared under mild conditions with excellent regioselectivity and broad substrate scope.

Visible-Light-Induced, Palladium-Mediated Desaturation/Sulfonation Cascade To Access 4-Sulfonyltetrahydropyridine Scaffolds.

Herein, we report a visible-light-induced, palladium-catalyzed desaturation/sulfonation cascade, offering a concise route to a series of highly valuable 4-sulfonyltetrahydropyridine scaffolds from inexpensive and readily available piperidine derivatives with sodium sulfinates. The key to the success of this transformation is the well-designed sequence of palladium-mediated 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer/ß-hydride elimination/allylic sulfonation process, which demonstrates the synthetic potentials for orchestrating synthetic events by rationally taking advantage of varied catalytic modes.

N-Chlorosulfonyl carbamate-enabled, photoinduced amidation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.

Reported herein is the design and development of a new photo-induced amidation protocol with the readily available N-chlorosulfonyl carbamate as an effective amidyl-radical precursor, which could be readily prepared from commercial low-cost chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) and alcohol feedstocks. The synthetic potency of this developed protocol was well demonstrated by direct amidation of various quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones. The protocol could be further streamlined by implementing a one-pot/two-step/three-component process of CSI, alcohol, and quinoxalin-2(1H)-one, with significantly improved reaction efficiency. This methodology offers an intriguing opportunity for rapid expansion of nitrogen-containing molecular complexity, thus inspiring comprehensive exploration of a new reaction mode of CSI reagent.

Visible-light-driven oxidation of organosilanes by a charge-transfer complex.

Direct oxidation of organosilanes is one of the most straightforward ways to access silanols. Herein, we describe a novel photo-induced strategy for oxidation of organosilanes to access silanols, promoted by a photoactive charge-transfer complex (CTC) between sodium benzenesulfinate and molecular O2. A streamlined sequence transformation of organosilanes to silyl ethers was also readily achieved. This developed protocol represents the first example of CTC-based oxidation of organosilanes, offering a facile approach to access a series of silanol and silyl ether products.

Photoexcited NiII-Aryl Complex-Mediated Giese Reaction of Aryl Bromides.

A Giese reaction of aryl bromides with electron-deficient alkenes was developed, enabled by a dual catalyst system containing NiII complex and IrIII photocatalyst. This protocol could accommodate a variety of aryl bromides and electron-deficient alkenes, delivering the conjugate adducts in up to 97% yield. The utilization of photoexcited (dtbbpy)NiII(aryl)Br intermediate as an aryl radical source allows this novel transformation of aryl halides, thus expanding the chemical space of excited nickel catalysis.

Photosensitized Vicinal Sulfonylamination of Alkenes with Oxime Ester and DABCO·(SO2)2.

A metal-free photosensitized three-component reaction of oxime esters, alkenes, and DABCO·(SO2)2 was developed. This protocol could accommodate a wide substrate scope, including activated and unactivated alkenes and aryl and aliphatic carboxylic acid oxime esters, delivering a broad range of ß-amino sulfones in moderate to high yields. The insertion of SO2 as a linker moiety allows the manipulation of the functionality in the reaction process, expanding the utility of oxime esters as bifunctional reagents.

Photocatalyzed Defluorinative Dichloromethylation of α-CF3 Alkenes Using CHCl3 as the Radical Source.

A visible-light-induced defluorinative dichloromethylation of α-CF3 alkenes was developed with cheap and readily accessible chloroform simultaneously as a dichloromethylation reagent and reaction medium, leading to the facile preparation of new polyhalogenated scaffolds. Notably, the change from CHCl3 to CDCl3 offers a straightforward pathway for accessing the deuterated analogues with excellent degrees of D incorporation. Mechanistic studies suggested the reaction underwent a radical addition of the dichloromethyl radical with alkenes, followed by sequential single-electron transfer and defluorination. This protocol features mild conditions, easy operation, facile scalability, and high efficiency, allowing convenient access to dichloronated gem-difluoroalkenes.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Deoxygenation of Hexafluoroacetone Hydrate Enables Hydroxypolyfluoroalkylation of Alkenes.

An unprecedented photoredox-catalyzed phosphine-mediated deoxygenation of hexafluoroacetone hydrate was established to accomplish the hydroxylpolyfluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes. A range of bis(trifluoromethyl)carbinols were facilely accessed by using readily available hexafluoroacetone hydrate, instead of toxic gaseous hexafluoroacetone. A range of electron-deficient alkenes are tolerated, giving the corresponding hydro-hydroxylpolyfluoroalkylated products in moderate to high yields. Remarkable features of this synthetic strategy include operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, excellent regioselectivity, and broad functional group tolerance. The success of this strategy relies on the delicate utilization of aldehyde/ketone-gem-diol intrinsic equilibrium, which offers an innovated open-shell pathway for the assembly of synthetically challenging polyfluoroalkylated scaffolds.

Photoredox-catalysed chlorination of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones enabled by using CHCl3 as a chlorine source.

A photoredox-catalysed chlorination of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was developed by using CHCl3 as a chlorine source, thus affording various 3-chloroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones in moderate to high yields. This protocol is characterized by mild reaction conditions, excellent regioselectivity, and readily available chlorination agent. Considering the operational simplicity and low cost of this chlorination approach, this developed method offers an innovative pathway for rapid incorporation of chlorine functionality into heteroarenes, and will inspire broader exploitation of new chlorination strategies.

Regioselective Access to Vicinal Diamines by Metal-Free Photosensitized Amidylimination of Alkenes with Oxime Esters.

A metal-free photosensitized protocol for regioselective diamination of alkene feedstocks over a single step was developed based on the rationally designed bifunctional diamination reagent, thus affording a range of differentially protected 1,2-diamines in moderate to high yields. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction is initiated with a triplet-triplet energy transfer between thioxanthone catalyst and diamination reagent, followed by fragmentation to simultaneously generate long-lived iminyl radical and transient amidyl radical. The excellent regioselectivity presumably stems from the large reactivity difference between two different N-centered radical species. This protocol is characterized by excellent regioselectivity, broad functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions, which would enrich the diversity and versatility of facilitate the diversity-oriented synthesis of 1,2-diamine-containing complex molecule scaffolds.

Photoredox-Catalyzed C-H Trideuteromethylation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with CDCl3 as the "CD3" source.

Herein, readily available and inexpensive CDCl3 was first identified as a new trideuteromethylation reagent under photoredox-catalyzed conditions. Thus, a facile photocatalytic protocol for the C-H trideuteromethylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one was achieved. This operationally straightforward transformation displays a broad scope and provides a new route to introduce the trideuteromethyl group (CD3) with excellent levels of deuterium content.

Visible-Light-Promoted Cross-Coupling of O-Aryl Oximes and Nitrostyrenes to Access Cyanoalkylated Alkenes.

A photoinduced, photocatalyst-free cyanoalkylation of nitrostyenes was explored, affording a series of cyanoalkylated alkenes in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic studies reveal that an electron donor-acceptor complex formed between O-aryl oximes and DIPEA is presumably involved in this process. The excellent functional group compatibility of this newly designed synthetic protocol allows for cyanoalkylation of structurally varied substrates, which offers an eco-friendly pathway for the assembly of cyanoalkylated alkenes.

[3 + 2] vs. [4 + 1] Annulation: revisiting mechanism studies on the phosphine-catalysed domino sequence of alkynoates and activated methylenes.

The mechanism of the phosphine-catalysed domino sequence of alkynoates and activated methylenes has been computationally studied. The computational results revealed that the [3 + 2] annulation sequence could be ruled out, due to a difficult Knoevenagel condensation of aromatic aldehydes and active methylenes. The reaction proceeds through a [4 + 1] annulation pathway, which involves a phosphine-catalysed MBH-type reaction followed by a [1,5]-proton shift and dehydration to afford vinyl phosphonium intermediates as four-carbon synthons in the annulation reaction. Then 1,3-dicarbonyls act as nucleophiles to attack vinyl phosphonium intermediates, subsequently leading to a stepwise [1,3]-proton shift and an intramolecular nucleophilic attack to close the five-member ring.