Thiol-Mediated α-Amino Radical Formation via Visible-Light-Activated Ion-Pair Charge-Transfer Complexes

Visible-light-activated electron donor-acceptor complexes offer distinct reaction pathways for the synthesis of complex molecules under mild conditions. Herein, we report a method for the reductive generation of α-amino radicals via the reaction of a visible-light-activated ion-pair charge-transfer complex formed between an in situ-generated alkyl-iminium ion and a thiophenolate. This distinct activation mode is demonstrated through the development of a multicomponent coupling reaction to form substituted aminomethyl-cyclopentanes from secondary amines, cyclopropyl aldehydes, and alkenes. The operationally straightforward transformation displays broad scope and provides a means to generate cyclic amine-containing scaffolds from readily available feedstocks.

Hypervalent Iodine(III)-Promoted Radical Oxidative C-H Annulation of Arylamines with α-Keto Acids

A novel catalyst-free radical oxidative C-H annulation reaction of arylamines with α-keto acids toward benzoxazin-2-ones synthesis under mild conditions was developed. This hypervalent iodine(III)-promoted process eliminated the use of a metal catalyst or additive with high levels of functional group tolerance. Hypervalent iodine(III) was both an oxidant and a radical initiator for this reaction. The synthetic utility of this method was confirmed by the synthesis of the natural product cephalandole A.

A General Organocatalytic System for Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex Photoactivation and Its Use in Radical Processes

We report herein a modular class of organic catalysts that, acting as donors, can readily form photoactive electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes with a variety of radical precursors. Excitation with visible light generates open-shell intermediates under mild conditions, including nonstabilized carbon radicals and nitrogen-centered radicals. The modular nature of the commercially available xanthogenate and dithiocarbamate anion organocatalysts offers a versatile EDA complex catalytic platform for developing mechanistically distinct radical reactions, encompassing redox-neutral and net-reductive processes. Mechanistic investigations, by means of quantum yield determination, established that a closed catalytic cycle is operational for all of the developed radical processes, highlighting the ability of the organic catalysts to turn over and iteratively drive every catalytic cycle. We also demonstrate how the catalysts' stability and the method's high functional group tolerance could be advantageous for the direct radical functionalization of abundant functional groups, including aliphatic carboxylic acids and amines, and for applications in the late-stage elaboration of biorelevant compounds and enantioselective radical catalysis.

Metal-Free Deoxygenation of Amine N-Oxides: Synthetic and Mechanistic Studies

We report herein an unprecedented combination of light and P(III)/P(V) redox cycling for the efficient deoxygenation of aromatic amine N-oxides. Moreover, we discovered that a large variety of aliphatic amine N-oxides can easily be deoxygenated by using only phenylsilane. These practically simple approaches proceed well under metal-free conditions, tolerate many functionalities and are highly chemoselective. Combined experimental and computational studies enabled a deep understanding of factors controlling the reactivity of both aromatic and aliphatic amine N-oxides.

Straightforward Synthesis of Fluorinated Enals via Photocatalytic α-Perfluoroalkenylation of Aldehydes

(Per)fluorinated substances represent an important compound class with regard to drug design and material chemistry. We found a mild, operationally simple, and inexpensive photocatalytic perfluoroalkenylation reaction giving tetrasubstituted, highly electron-deficient enals straight from aldehydes. This one-step reaction tolerates various functional groups and can be applied to a wide range of substrates giving the products in yields of 52-84%.

Synthetic reactions driven by electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes

The reversible, weak ground-state aggregate formed by dipole-dipole interactions between an electron donor and an electron acceptor is referred to as an electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complex. Generally, upon light irradiation, the EDA complex turns into the excited state, causing an electron transfer to give radicals and to initiate subsequent reactions. Besides light as an external energy source, reactions involving the participation of EDA complexes are mild, obviating transition metal catalysts or photosensitizers in the majority of cases and are in line with the theme of green chemistry. This review discusses the synthetic reactions concerned with EDA complexes as well as the mechanisms that have been shown over the past five years.

Photochemical Synthesis of 1,4-Dicarbonyl Bifluorene Compounds via Oxidative Radical Coupling Using TEMPO as the Oxygen Atom Donor

A visible-light-induced metal-free synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds from alkyne-containing aryl iodides via photochemical C-I bond cleavage, intramolecular cyclization, oxidation, and intermolecular radical coupling sequence is reported. TEMPO was employed as the oxygen atom donor in this transformation. This protocol provided a new strategy for the synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl bifluorene compounds.

Wittig Olefination Using Phosphonium Ion-Pair Reagents Incorporating an Endogenous Base

Despite common perception, the use of strong bases in Wittig chemistry is utterly unnecessary: we report a series of novel ion-pair phosphonium carboxylate reagents which are essentially "storable ylides". These reagents are straightforwardly prepared in excellent yields, and their fluxional nature permits clean olefination of a broad range of aldehydes and even hemiacetals.

Visible-Light-Driven Stereoselective Annulation of Alkyl Anilines and Dibenzoylethylenes via Electron Donor-Acceptor Complexes

A catalyst-free, stereoselective visible-light-driven annulation reaction between alkenes and N,N-substituted dialkyl anilines for the synthesis of substituted tetrahydroquinolines is presented. The reaction is driven by the photoexcitation of an electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex, and the resulting products are obtained in good to high yields with complete diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic rationale and photochemical characterization of the EDA-complex are provided.

Photochemical synthesis of 3-hydroxyphenanthro[9,10-c]furan-1(3H)-ones from α-keto acids and alkynes

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of 3-hydroxyphenanthro[9,10-c]furan-1(3H)-ones has been achieved from α-keto acids and alkynes through photo-initiated transformation, providing a range of products in good to excellent yields.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,4-Dicarbonyl Derivatives via Sulfonium [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement

An efficient and straightforward gold-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of 2-substituted 4-oxo-4-arylbutanal derivatives from commercially available or easily accessible alkynes and vinylsulfoxide substrates has been developed. Extension of the methodology to the use of 1-cycloalkenyl sulfoxides allowed the facile synthesis of five-, six-, and seven-membered-ring cycloalkyl-1-one backbone. Subsequently, the tetrahydrocycloalkyl[b]pyrrole derivatives, which are found in many active pharmaceutical ingredients, were isolated in good yields. Mechanistic investigation highlighted a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of a sulfonium intermediate in this process.

Alkoxycarbonyl radicals from alkyloxalyl chlorides: photoinduced synthesis of isoquinolinediones under visible light irradiation

Alkyloxalyl chlorides, generated from alcohols and oxalyl chlorides, are used as alkoxycarbonyl radicals in the reaction of N-acryloyl benzamides under photocatalysis at room temperature.

Enantioselective Radical Functionalization of Imines and Iminium Intermediates via Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

Visible-light photoredox catalysis has recently emerged as a powerful tool for the development of new and valuable chemical transformations under mild conditions. Visible-light promoted enantioselective radical transformations of imines and iminium intermediates provide new opportunities for the asymmetric synthesis of amines and the asymmetric β-functionalization of unsaturated carbonyl compounds. In this review, recent advances on the catalytic asymmetric radical functionalization of imines and iminium intermediates are summarized.

1 Introduction

2 Enantioselective Radical Functionalization of Imines

2.1 Asymmetric Reduction

2.2 Asymmetric Cyclization

2.3 Asymmetric Addition

2.4 Asymmetric Radical–Radical Coupling

3 Enantioselective Radical Functionalization of Iminium Ions

3.1 Asymmetric Radical Alkylation

3.2 Asymmetric Radical Acylation

4 Conclusion

Synthesis of N-aryl amines enabled by photocatalytic dehydrogenation

Catalytic dehydrogenation (CD) via visible-light photoredox catalysis provides an efficient route for the synthesis of aromatic compounds. However, access to N-aryl amines, which are widely utilized synthetic moieties, via visible-light-induced CD remains a significant challenge, because of the difficulty in controlling the reactivity of amines under photocatalytic conditions. Here, the visible-light-induced photocatalytic synthesis of N-aryl amines was achieved by the CD of allylic amines. The unusual strategy using C6F5I as an hydrogen-atom acceptor enables the mild and controlled CD of amines bearing various functional groups and activated C-H bonds, suppressing side-reaction of the reactive N-aryl amine products. Thorough mechanistic studies suggest the involvement of single-electron and hydrogen-atom transfers in a well-defined order to provide a synergistic effect in the control of the reactivity. Notably, the back-electron transfer process prevents the desired product from further reacting under oxidative conditions.

Phosphorus-Recycling Wittig Reaction: Design and Facile Synthesis of a Fluorous Phosphine and Its Reusable Process in the Wittig Reaction

This study shows that phosphorus sources can be recycled using the appropriate fluorous phosphine in the Wittig reaction. The designed fluorous phosphine, which has an ethylene spacer between its phosphorus atom and the perfluoroalkyl group, was synthesized from air-stable phosphine reagents. The synthesized phosphine can be used for the Wittig reaction process to obtain various alkenes in adequate yields and stereoselectivity. The concomitantly formed fluorous phosphine oxide was extracted from the reaction mixture using a fluorous biphasic system. The fluorous phosphine was regenerated by reducing the fluorous phosphine oxide with diisobutylaluminum hydride. Finally, a series of gram scale phosphorus recycling processes were performed, which included the Wittig reaction, separation, reduction, and reuse.

Tandem Photoredox Catalysis: Enabling Carbonylative Amidation of Aryl and Alkylhalides

We report a new visible-light-mediated carbonylative amidation of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl halides. A tandem catalytic cycle of [Ir(ppy)₂ (dtb-bpy)]⁺ generates a potent iridium photoreductant through a second catalytic cycle in the presence of DIPEA, which productively engages aryl bromides, iodides, and even chlorides as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl iodides. The versatile in situ generated catalyst is compatible with aliphatic and aromatic amines, shows high functional-group tolerance, and enables the late-stage amidation of complex natural products.

Visible Light-Driven α-Alkylation of N-Aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines Initiated by Electron Donor-Acceptor Complexes

The visible light-driven α-alkylation of N-aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines was initiated through electron donor-acceptor complex photochemistry. The reaction can proceed smoothly without the addition of any photocatalysts, transition-metal catalysts, or additional oxidants. The proposed mechanism was supported by various mechanistic studies, and the reactive open-shell alkyl radicals were generally produced from an alkylamine and underwent radical coupling for alkylating a wide range of N-aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines.

Deoxygenative α-alkylation and α-arylation of 1,2-dicarbonyls

Construction of C-C bonds at the α-carbon is a challenging but synthetically indispensable approach to α-branched carbonyl motifs that are widely represented among drugs, natural products, and synthetic intermediates. Here, we describe a simple approach to generation of boron enolates in the absence of strong bases that allows for introduction of both α-alkyl and α-aryl groups in a reaction of readily accessible 1,2-dicarbonyls and organoboranes. Obviation of unselective, strongly basic and nucleophilic reagents permits carrying out the reaction in the presence of electrophiles that intercept the intermediate boron enolates, resulting in two new α-C-C bonds in a tricomponent process.

Photochemical generation of acyl and carbamoyl radicals using a nucleophilic organic catalyst: applications and mechanism thereof

An organic catalyst uses low-energy photons to generate acyl and carbamoyl radicals upon activation of the corresponding chlorides via a nucleophilic acyl substitution path. The synthetic potential and the mechanism of this strategy are discussed.

We detail a strategy that uses a commercially available nucleophilic organic catalyst to generate acyl and carbamoyl radicals upon activation of the corresponding chlorides and anhydrides via a nucleophilic acyl substitution path. The resulting nucleophilic radicals are then intercepted by a variety of electron-poor olefins in a Giese-type addition process. The chemistry requires low-energy photons (blue LEDs) to activate acyl and carbamoyl radical precursors, which, due to their high reduction potential, are not readily prone to redox-based activation mechanisms. To elucidate the key mechanistic aspects of this catalytic photochemical radical generation strategy, we used a combination of transient absorption spectroscopy investigations, electrochemical studies, quantum yield measurements, and the characterization of key intermediates. We identified a variety of off-the-cycle intermediates that engage in a light-regulated equilibrium with reactive radicals. These regulated equilibriums cooperate to control the overall concentrations of the radicals, contributing to the efficiency of the overall catalytic process and facilitating the turnover of the catalyst.

A Direct S0 →Tn Transition in the Photoreaction of Heavy-Atom-Containing Molecules

According to the Grotthuss-Draper law, light must be absorbed by a substrate to initiate a photoreaction. There have been several reports, however, on the promotion of photoreactions using hypervalent iodine during irradiation with light from a non-absorbing region. This contradiction gave rise to a mystery regarding photoreactions involving hypervalent iodine. We demonstrated that the photoactivation of hypervalent iodine with light from the apparently non-absorbing region proceeds via a direct S₀ →T_n transition, which has been considered a forbidden process. Spectroscopic, computational, and synthetic experimental results support this conclusion. Moreover, the photoactivation mode could be extended to monovalent iodine and bromine, as well as bismuth(III)-containing molecules, providing new possibilities for studying photoreactions that involve heavy-atom-containing molecules.

Topological Dynamics of a Radical Ion Pair: Experimental and Computational Assessment at the Relevant Nanosecond Timescale

Chemical processes mostly happen in fluid environments where reaction partners encounter via diffusion. The bimolecular encounters take place at a nanosecond time scale. The chemical environment (e.g., solvent molecules, (counter)ions) has a decisive influence on the reactivity as it determines the contact time between two molecules and affects the energetics. For understanding reactivity at an atomic level and at the appropriate dynamic time scale, it is crucial to combine matching experimental and theoretical data. Here, we have utilized all-atom molecular-dynamics simulations for accessing the key time scale (nanoseconds) using a QM/MM-Hamiltonian. Ion pairs consisting of a radical ion and its counterion are ideal systems to assess the theoretical predictions because they reflect dynamics at an appropriate time scale when studied by temperature-dependent EPR spectroscopy. We have investigated a diketone radical anion with its tetra-ethylammonium counterion. We have established a funnel-like transition path connecting two (equivalent) complexation sites. The agreement between the molecular-dynamics simulation and the experimental data presents a new paradigm for ion–ion interactions. This study exemplarily demonstrates the impact of the molecular environment on the topological states of reaction intermediates and how these states can be consistently elucidated through the combination of theory and experiment. We anticipate that our findings will contribute to the prediction of bimolecular transformations in the condensed phase with relevance to chemical synthesis, polymers, and biological activity.

Synthetic Methods Driven by the Photoactivity of Electron Donor-Acceptor Complexes

The association of an electron-rich substrate with an electron-accepting molecule can generate a new molecular aggregate in the ground state, called an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex. Even when the two precursors do not absorb visible light, the resulting EDA complex often does. In 1952, Mulliken proposed a quantum-mechanical theory to rationalize the formation of such colored EDA complexes. However, and besides a few pioneering studies in the 20th century, it is only in the past few years that the EDA complex photochemistry has been recognized as a powerful strategy for expanding the potential of visible-light-driven radical synthetic chemistry. Here, we explain why this photochemical synthetic approach was overlooked for so long. We critically discuss the historical context, scientific reasons, serendipitous observations, and landmark discoveries that were essential for progress in the field. We also outline future directions and identify the key advances that are needed to fully exploit the potential of the EDA complex photochemistry.

Direct Use of Carboxylic Acids in the Photocatalytic Hydroacylation of Styrenes To Generate Dialkyl Ketones

A general protocol for the hydroacylation of styrenes from aliphatic carboxylic acids is reported. These reactions proceed via β-scission of a phosphoranyl radical that is accessed by photoredox catalysis, followed by addition of the resulting acyl radical to the styrenyl olefin. We show that phosphine tunability is critical for efficient intermolecular coupling due to competitive quenching of the photocatalyst by the olefin. Primary, secondary, and structurally rigid tertiary carboxylic acids all generate valuable unsymmetrical dialkyl ketones.

Light-Mediated Formal Radical Deoxyfluorination of Tertiary Alcohols through Selective Single-Electron Oxidation with TEDA2+

The synthesis of tertiary alkyl fluorides through a formal radical deoxyfluorination process is described herein. This light-mediated, catalyst-free methodology is fast and broadly applicable allowing for the preparation of C-F bonds from (hetero)benzylic, propargylic, and non-activated tertiary alcohol derivatives. Preliminary mechanistic studies support that the key step of the reaction is the single-electron oxidation of cesium oxalates-which are readily available from the corresponding tertiary alcohols-with in situ generated TEDA2+. (TEDA: N-(chloromethyl)triethylenediamine), a radical cation derived from Selectfluor®.

Photocatalytic Radical Aroylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Pathway to β-Functionalized 1,4-, 1,6-, and 1,7-Diketones

We report the development of a photocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of β-functionalized unsymmetrical 1,4-, 1-6 and 1,7-diketones from aroyl chlorides and unactivated alkenes at room temperature. The mild reaction conditions not only tolerate a wide range of functional groups and structural moieties, but also enable migration of a variety of distal groups including (hetero)arenes, nitrile, aldehyde, oxime-derivative, and alkene. The efficiency of chirality transfer, factors that control the distal-group migration, and synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles from the diketones are also described. Mechanistic studies suggest a reaction pathway involving a photocatalytic radical aroylation of unactivated alkenes followed by a distal-group migration, oxidation, and deprotonation to afford the desired diketones.