Visible light-promoted metal-free C-H activation: diarylketone-catalyzed selective benzylic mono- and difluorination

Photocatalytic C(sp3) radical generation via C-H, C-C, and C-X bond cleavage

C(sp³) radicals (R˙) are of broad research interest and synthetic utility. This review collects some of the most recent advancements in photocatalytic R˙ generation and highlights representative examples in this field. Based on the key bond cleavages that generate R˙, these contributions are divided into C–H, C–C, and C–X bond cleavages. A general mechanistic scenario and key R˙-forming steps are presented and discussed in each section.

C(sp³) radicals (R˙) are of broad research interest and synthetic utility.

Eosin Y-Containing Metal-Organic Framework as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Direct Photoactivation of Inert C-H Bonds

Xanthene dyes as a class of ideal organic homogeneous photocatalyst have received significant attention in C-H bond activation; however, the inherent nature of fast carrier recombination/deactivation and low stability limits their practical applications. Herein, by the ingenious decoration of eosin Y into a porous metal-organic framework (MOF), a high-performance heterogeneous MOF-based photocatalyst was prepared to efficiently activate inert C-H bonds on the reactants via the hydrogen atom transfer pathway for the functionalization of the C-H bonds. Taking advantage of the fixation effect of a rigid framework, the incorporation of eosin Y into MOF leads to great enhancement of their chemical durability. More importantly, by the introduction of the second auxiliary ligand, the carbonyl groups of xanthene on the eosin Y dyes were perfectly retained and periodically aligned within the confined channels of this rigid framework, which could effectively form excited state radicals to prompt inert C-H bond activation, promoting reaction efficiency by the host-guest supramolecular interaction. New eosin Y-based MOFs were recyclable for six times without reducing photocatalytic activity. This eosin Y functionalized MOF-based heterogeneous photocatalytic system provides an availably catalytic avenue to develop a scalable and sustainable synthetic strategy for the practical application of organic dyes.

Photoredox-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization Reactions

The fields of C-H functionalization and photoredox catalysis have garnered enormous interest and utility in the past several decades. Many different scientific disciplines have relied on C-H functionalization and photoredox strategies including natural product synthesis, drug discovery, radiolabeling, bioconjugation, materials, and fine chemical synthesis. In this Review, we highlight the use of photoredox catalysis in C-H functionalization reactions. We separate the review into inorganic/organometallic photoredox catalysts and organic-based photoredox catalytic systems. Further subdivision by reaction class─either sp2 or sp3 C-H functionalization─lends perspective and tactical strategies for use of these methods in synthetic applications.

Palladium-Catalyzed gem-Difluoroallylation Reaction between Aryltributyltin and Bromodifluoromethylated Alkenes

A robust Stille gem-difluoroallylation of arylstannanes with 3-bromo-3,3-difluoropropenes has been established. The catalyst was found to exert critical effect on the reaction chemoselectivity. By using Pd(OH)₂/C as the catalyst, a series of 3-(hetero)aryl/vinyl-3,3-difluoropropenes were obtained in high efficiency with α-substitution regioselectivity. The reaction has a broad substrate scope, and various substitution patterns were well tolerated in both substrates. Notably, the reaction can be easily extended to late-stage gem-difluoroallylation of many bioactive molecules with good chemoselectivity.

Visible-light mediated cross-coupling of aryl halides with sodium sulfinates via carbonyl-photoredox/nickel dual catalysis

Photoinduced nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of arylsulfinates (ArSO2−) with (hetero)aryl halides (Ar’-X) via visible light photoexcitation of 2-chloro-thioxanthen-9-one (Cl-TXO) has been achieved in moderate to excellent yields. This photocoupling exhibited a broad...

Nucleophilic strategies to construct –CF2– linkages using borazine-CF2Ar reagents

Using nucleophilic, boron-based –CF2Ar reagents, we demonstrate three methods to form C–CF bonds: (1) nucleophilic aromatic substitution, (2) palladium catalyzed cross-coupling, and (3) nucleophilic substitution.

Visible-light-promoted sulfenylation of 6-aminouracils under catalyst-free conditions

Visible-light-promoted reactions have proven to be a decent strategy for the synthesis of complex molecules.

Hypervalent iodine-mediated β-difluoroalkylboron synthesis via an unusual 1,2-hydrogen shift enabled by boron substitution

A hypervalent iodine-mediated gem-difluorination allows the facile synthesis of β-difluoroalkylborons. An unusual 1,2-hydrogen migration, triggered by boron substitution, is involved.

Organocatalytic difluorobenzylation of 1,2-diketones via mild cleavage of carbon–carbon bonds

Difluoroacetophenones (DFAPs) are developed as a class of novel and practical reagents for organocatalytic difluorobenzylation reactions.

Mechanistic Dichotomy in Solvent Dependent Access to E vs Z-allylic Amines via Decarboxylative Vinylation of Amino Acids

The solvent plays an important role in the photophysical properties of donor–acceptor based photocatalysts. The solvent-dependent access to E vs. Z-allylic amines was achieved via decarboxylative vinylation of amino acids with vinyl sulfones. Detailed experimental studies have been conducted to understand the role of the solvent in the reactivity and stereoselectivity of the vinylation reactions.

A solvent-dependent access to E vs. Z-allylic amines was achieved via decarboxylative vinylation of amino acids. Detailed experimental studies have been conducted to understand the role of the solvent in the reactivity and stereoselectivity of the vinylation reactions.

Rapid Access to Fluorinated Anilides via DAST-Mediated Deoxyfluorination of Arylhydroxylamines

A new strategy for the synthesis of fluorinated anilides in the absence of metals and oxidants has been developed. This deoxyfluorination of N-arylhydroxylamines with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) proceeded smoothly under mild conditions, and the ortho- or para-fluorinated aromatic amine products were prepared in moderate to good yields. Structurally diverse fluorinated anilides, including heterocyclic and pharmaceutically relevant molecules, can be efficiently constructed by this protocol.

Direct photo-induced reductive Heck cyclization of indoles for the efficient preparation of polycyclic indolinyl compounds

The photo-induced cleavage of C(sp2)-Cl bonds is an appealing synthetic tool in organic synthesis, but usually requires the use of high UV light, photocatalysts and/or photosensitizers. Herein is described a direct photo-induced chloroarene activation with UVA/blue LEDs that can be used in the reductive Heck cyclization of indoles and without the use of a photocatalyst or photosensitizer. The indole compounds examined display room-temperature phosphorescence. The photochemical reaction tolerates a panel of functional groups including esters, alcohols, amides, cyano and alkenes (27 examples, 50-88% yields), and can be used to prepare polycyclic compounds and perform the functionalization of natural product analogues in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic experiments, including time-resolved absorption spectroscopy, are supportive of photo-induced electron transfer between the indole substrate and DIPEA, with the formation of radical intermediates in the photo-induced dearomatization reaction.

Site-Selective Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Aliphatics Enabled by Organophotoredox/Cobalt Dual Catalysis

The value of catalytic dehydrogenation of aliphatics (CDA) in organic synthesis has remained largely underexplored. Known homogeneous CDA systems often require the use of sacrificial hydrogen acceptors (or oxidants), precious metal catalysts, and harsh reaction conditions, thus limiting most existing methods to dehydrogenation of non- or low-functionalized alkanes. Here we describe a visible-light-driven, dual-catalyst system consisting of inexpensive organophotoredox and base-metal catalysts for room-temperature, acceptorless-CDA (Al-CDA). Initiated by photoexited 2-chloroanthraquinone, the process involves H atom transfer (HAT) of aliphatics to form alkyl radicals, which then react with cobaloxime to produce olefins and H₂. This operationally simple method enables direct dehydrogenation of readily available chemical feedstocks to diversely functionalized olefins. For example, we demonstrate, for the first time, the oxidant-free desaturation of thioethers and amides to alkenyl sulfides and enamides, respectively. Moreover, the system's exceptional site selectivity and functional group tolerance are illustrated by late-stage dehydrogenation and synthesis of 14 biologically relevant molecules and pharmaceutical ingredients. Mechanistic studies have revealed a dual HAT process and provided insights into the origin of reactivity and site selectivity.

Aromatic Ketone-Catalyzed Photochemical Synthesis of Imidazo-isoquinolinone Derivatives

We have developed an efficient photocatalytic decarboxylative radical addition/cyclization strategy to synthesize imidazo-isoquinolinone derivatives using inexpensive aromatic ketone photocatalysts. This method not only tolerates a wide range of functional groups but also works well for both alkyl and aryl radicals.

Nickel-catalyzed reductive monofluoroakylation of alkyl tosylate with bromofluoromethane to primary alkyl fluoride

A nickel-catalysed direct terminal monofluoromethlyation between alkyl tosylates and a low-cost, industrial raw material bromofluoromethane has been developed. This transformation has demonstrated high efficiency, mild conditions, and good functional-group compatibility. The key to success of this transformation lies in the ligand and mild base selection, ensuring the generation of various terminal monofluormethylation products.

Direct Photocatalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) for Aliphatic C-H Bonds Elaboration

Direct photocatalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (d-HAT) can be considered a method of choice for the elaboration of aliphatic C–H bonds. In this manifold, a photocatalyst (PC_HAT) exploits the energy of a photon to trigger the homolytic cleavage of such bonds in organic compounds. Selective C–H bond elaboration may be achieved by a judicious choice of the hydrogen abstractor (key parameters are the electronic character and the molecular structure), as well as reaction additives. Different are the classes of PCs_HAT available, including aromatic ketones, xanthene dyes (Eosin Y), polyoxometalates, uranyl salts, a metal-oxo porphyrin and a tris(amino)cyclopropenium radical dication. The processes (mainly C–C bond formation) are in most cases carried out under mild conditions with the help of visible light. The aim of this review is to offer a comprehensive survey of the synthetic applications of photocatalyzed d-HAT.

Hydroalkylation of Unactivated Olefins via Visible-Light-Driven Dual Hydrogen Atom Transfer Catalysis

Radical hydroalkylation of olefins enabled by hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalysis represents a straightforward means to access C(sp³)-rich molecules from abundant feedstock chemicals without the need for prefunctionalization. While Giese-type hydroalkylation of activated olefins initiated by HAT of hydridic carbon-hydrogen bonds is well-precedented, hydroalkylation of unactivated olefins in a similar fashion remains elusive, primarily owing to a lack of general methods to overcome the inherent polarity-mismatch in this scenario. Here, we report the use of visible-light-driven dual HAT catalysis to achieve this goal, where catalytic amounts of an amine-borane and an in situ generated thiol were utilized as the hydrogen atom abstractor and donor, respectively. The reaction is completely atom-economical and exhibits a broad scope. Experimental and computational studies support the proposed mechanism and suggest that hydrogen-bonding between the amine-borane and substrates is beneficial to improving the reaction efficiency.

Easy access to drug building-blocks through benzylic C-H functionalization of phenolic ethers by photoredox catalysis

A visible light-mediated photocatalyzed C-C-bond forming method for the benzylic C-H functionalization of phenolether containing synthetic building blocks based on a radical-cation/deprotonation strategy is reported. This method allows the mild, selective generation of benzyl radicals in phenolic complex molecules and drug-like compounds, providing new entries in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.

Bench-Stable Electrophilic Fluorinating Reagents for Highly Selective Mono- and Difluorination of Silyl Enol Ethers

Efficient methods for the synthesis of fluorinated compounds have been intensively studied, recently. Development of practical fluorinating reagents is indispensable for this purpose. Herein, bench-stable electrophilic fluorinating reagents were synthesized as N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) substitutes. Reagents obtained by replacing one of the NFSI sulfonyl groups with an acyl group led to the highly selective monofluorination of silyl enol ethers with suppression of undesired overreaction, that is, difluorination. On the other hand, reagents bearing electron-withdrawing substituents at NFSI benzenesulfonyl groups efficiently facilitated the difluorination of silyl enol ethers under base-free conditions. Thus, both mono- and difluorinated target materials were prepared from the same substrate.

Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Aliphatic Fluorides via Reductive C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) Cross-Coupling Fluoroalkylation

Monofluorinated alkyl compounds are of great importance in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials. Herein, we describe a direct nickel-catalyzed monofluoromethylation of unactivated alkyl halides using a low-cost industrial raw material, bromofluoromethane, by demonstrating a general and efficient reductive cross-coupling of two alkyl halides. Results with 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkane also demonstrate the viability of monofluoroalkylation, which further established the first example of reductive C(sp³ )-C(sp³ ) cross-coupling fluoroalkylation. These transformations demonstrate high efficiency, mild conditions, and excellent functional-group compatibility, especially for a range of pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds. Mechanistic studies support a radical pathway. Kinetic studies reveal that the reaction is first-order dependent on catalyst and alkyl bromide whereas the generation of monofluoroalkyl radical is not involved in the rate-determining step. This strategy provides a general and efficient method for the synthesis of aliphatic fluorides.

Photoredox-Mediated Mono- and Difluorination of Remote Unactivated Methylene C(sp3)-H Bonds of N-Alkyl Sulfonamides

A photoredox-mediated δ-C(sp³)-H fluorination of sulfonyl-protected primary alkylamines with Selectfluor is developed. The reaction can proceed in excellent monofluorination selectivity for amine substrates without α substituent. For α-substituted substrates, a slightly modified reaction conditions with two rounds of operation gives the δ,δ-difluorination products in good yield. Mechanistic studies suggest SET oxidation of sulfonamide group directly generates the key sulfonamide N radical intermediate, which triggers a 1,5-HAT process to form the δ alkyl radical.

Benzylic C-H acylation by cooperative NHC and photoredox catalysis

Methods that enable site selective acylation of sp3 C-H bonds in complex organic molecules are not well explored, particularly if compared with analogous transformations of aromatic and vinylic sp2 C-H bonds. We report herein a direct acylation of benzylic C-H bonds by merging N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and photoredox catalysis. The method allows the preparation of a diverse range of benzylic ketones with good functional group tolerance under mild conditions. The reaction can be used to install acyl groups on highly functionalized natural product derived compounds and the C-H functionalization works with excellent site selectivity. The combination of NHC and photoredox catalysis offers options in preparing benzyl aryl ketones.

Fluorene-Based Multicomponent Reactions

Fluorene and fluorenone are privileged structures with extensive utility in both materials science and drug discovery. Here, we describe syntheses of those moieties through isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (IMCRs) and the incorporation of the products in diverse and complex derivatives that can be further utilized. We performed six different IMCRs, based on the dual functionality of 9-isocyano-9H-fluorene, and we describe 23 unprecedented adducts.

A General Approach to Intermolecular Olefin Hydroacylation through Light-Induced HAT Initiation: An Efficient Synthesis of Long-Chain Aliphatic Ketones and Functionalized Fatty Acids

Herein, an operationally simple, environmentally benign and effective method for intermolecular radical hydroacylation of unactivated substrates by employing photo-induced hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) initiation is described. The use of commercially available and inexpensive photoinitiators (Ph₂ CO and NHPI) makes the process attractive. The olefin hydroacylation protocol applies to a wide array of substrates bearing numerous functional groups and many complex structural units. The reaction proves to be scalable (up to 5 g). Different functionalized fatty acids, petrochemicals and naturally occurring alkanes can be synthesized with this protocol. A radical chain mechanism is implicated in the process.

Tunable Synthesis of Indeno[1,2-c]furans and 3-Benzoylindenones via FeCl3-Catalyzed Carbene/Alkyne Metathesis Reaction of o-Alkynylbenzoyl Diazoacetates

An efficient synthesis of indeno[1,2-c]furan and 3-benzoylindenone derivatives through a FeCl₃-catalyzed carbene/alkyne metathesis reaction of o-alkynylbenzoyl diazoacetates is presented. Mechanistically, the key intermediate, vinyl iron carbene, is formed by 5-exo-dig carbocyclization and terminated with a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition or carbonylation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example in which FeCl₃ is used as a catalyst for a carbene/alkyne metathesis reaction. Finally, derivatization reactions were carried out to showcase the value of the products.

Synthetic applications of α,α-difluoroarylacetic acids and salts via decarboxylative functionalization

α,α-Difluoroarylacetic acids are stable, inexpensive and readily available building blocks which can be used to access various difluoromethylated aryl motifs via decarboxylative functionalization for the formation of carbon–carbon and carbon-heteroatom (F, O, S) bonds.

Autocatalytic deoximation reactions driven by visible light

Photocatalytic deoximation reaction was found to be an autocatalytic process that occurs via free-radical mechanism. Understanding the mechanism may help chemical engineers to develop related techniques to avoid the decomposition of oximes.