Metal-free C-H alkylation of heteroarenes with alkyltrifluoroborates: a general protocol for 1°, 2° and 3° alkylation

Metal-, photocatalyst-, and light-free late-stage C–H alkylation of N-heteroarenes with organotrimethylsilanes using persulfate as a stoichiometric oxidant

Minisci C–H alkylation of N-heteroarenes with readily available benzylsilanes and heteroatom substituted silanes was developed.

Organometallic vs organic photoredox catalysts for photocuring reactions in the visible region

Recent progresses achieved in terms of synthetic procedures allow now the access to polymers of well-defined composition, molecular weight and architecture. Thanks to these recent progresses in polymer engineering, the scope of applications of polymers is far wider than that of any other class of material, ranging from adhesives, coatings, packaging materials, inks, paints, optics, 3D printing, microelectronics or textiles. From a synthetic viewpoint, photoredox catalysis, originally developed for organic chemistry, has recently been applied to the polymer synthesis, constituting a major breakthrough in polymer chemistry. Thanks to the development of photoredox catalysts of polymerization, a drastic reduction of the amount of photoinitiators could be achieved, addressing the toxicity and the extractability issues; high performance initiating abilities are still obtained due to the catalytic approach which regenerates the catalyst. As it is a fast-growing field, this review will be mainly focused on an overview of the recent advances concerning the development of organic and organometallic photoredox catalysts for the photoreticulation of multifunctional monomers for a rapid and efficient access to 3D polymer networks.

A Toolbox Approach To Construct Broadly Applicable Metal-Free Catalysts for Photoredox Chemistry: Deliberate Tuning of Redox Potentials and Importance of Halogens in Donor-Acceptor Cyanoarenes

The targeted choice of specific photocatalysts has been shown to play a critical role for the successful realization of challenging photoredox catalytic transformations. Herein, we demonstrate the successful implementation of a rational design strategy for a series of deliberate structural manipulations of cyanoarene-based, purely organic donor-acceptor photocatalysts, using 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene (4CzIPN) as a starting point. Systematic modifications of both the donor substituents as well as the acceptors' molecular core allowed us to identify strongly oxidizing as well as strongly reducing catalysts (e.g., for an unprecedented detriflation of unactivated naphthol triflate), which additionally offer remarkably balanced redox potentials with predictable trends. Especially halogen arene core substitutions are instrumental for our targeted alterations of the catalysts' redox properties. Based on their preeminent electrochemical and photophysical characteristics, all novel, purely organic photoredox catalysts were evaluated in three challenging, mechanistically distinct classes of benchmark reactions (either requiring balanced, highly oxidizing or strongly reducing properties) to demonstrate their enormous potential as customizable photocatalysts, that outperform and complement prevailing typical best photocatalysts.

Pd-Catalyzed Alkylation of (Iso)quinolines and Arenes: 2-Acylpyridine Compounds as Alkylation Reagents

The first Pd-catalyzed alkylation of (iso)quinolines and arenes is reported. The readily available and bench-stable 2-acylpyridine compounds were used as an alkylation reagent to form the structurally versatile alkylated (iso)quinolines and arenes. The method affords a convenient pathway for the introduction of alkyl groups into organic molecules.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Addition of α-Aminoalkyl Radicals to Isoquinolines

With a dual organocatalytic system involving a chiral phosphoric acid and a dicyanopyrazine-derived chromophore (DPZ) photosensitizer and under the irradiation with visible light, an enantioselective Minisci-type addition of α-amino acid-derived redox-active esters (RAEs) to isoquinolines has been developed. A variety of prochiral α-aminoalkyl radicals generated from RAEs were successfully introduced on isoquinolines, providing a range of valuable α-isoquinoline-substituted chiral secondary amines in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities.

Metal-Free and Redox-Neutral Conversion of Organotrifluoroborates into Radicals Enabled by Visible Light

Converting organoboron compounds into the corresponding radicals has broad synthetic applications in organic chemistry. To achieve these transformations, various strong oxidants such as Mn(OAc)₃ , AgNO₃ /K₂ S₂ O₈ , and Cu(OAc)₂ , in stoichiometric amounts are required, proceeding by a single-electron transfer mechanism. Established herein is a distinct strategy for generating both aryl and alkyl radicals from organotrifluoroborates through an S_H 2 process. This strategy is enabled by using water as the solvent, visible light as the energy input, and diacetyl as the promoter in the absence of any metal catalyst or redox reagent, thereby eliminating metal waste. To demonstrate its synthetic utility, an efficient acetylation to prepare valuable aryl (alkyl) methyl ketones is described and applications to construct C-C, C-I, C-Br, and C-S bonds are also feasible. Experimental evidence suggests that triplet diacetyl serves as the key intermediate in this process.

Applications of organocatalysed visible-light photoredox reactions for medicinal chemistry

The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the field of organocatalysed photoredox chemistry relevant to synthetic medicinal chemistry. Photoredox transformations have been shown to enable key transformations that are important to the pharmaceutical industry. This type of chemistry has also demonstrated a high degree of sustainability, especially when organic dyes can be employed in place of often toxic and environmentally damaging transition metals. The sections are arranged according to the general class of the presented reactions and the value of these methods to medicinal chemistry is considered. An overview of the general characteristics of the photocatalysts as well as some electrochemical data is presented. In addition, the general reaction mechanisms for organocatalysed photoredox transformations are discussed and some individual mechanistic considerations are highlighted in the text when appropriate.

DMSO as a Switchable Alkylating Agent in Heteroarene C-H Functionalization

Herein, we report a novel strategy for the activation of DMSO to act as a versatile alkylating agent in heteroarene C-H functionalization. This direct, simple, and mild switch between methylation/trideuteromethylation and methylthiomethylation of heteroarenes was achieved under reagent-controlled photoredox catalysis conditions. The proposed mechanism is supported by both experimental and computational studies.

Photoredox Catalysis for Building C-C Bonds from C(sp2)-H Bonds

Transition metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalizations have been the focus of intensive research over the last decades for the formation of C-C bonds from unfunctionalized arenes, heteroarenes, alkenes. These direct transformations provide new approaches in synthesis with high atom- and step-economy compared to the traditional catalytic cross-coupling reactions. However, such methods still suffer from several limitations including functional group tolerance and the lack of regioselectivity. In addition, they often require harsh reaction conditions and some of them need the use of strong oxidant, in a stoichiometric amount, avoiding these processes to be truly eco-friendly. The use of photoredox catalysis has contributed to a significant expansion of the scope of C(sp²)-H bond functionalizations which include the direct arylations, (perfluoro)alkylations, acylations, and even cyanations. Most of these transformations involve the photochemical induced generation of a radical followed by its regioselective addition to arenes, heteroarenes, or alkenes, leading to the building of a new C(sp²)-C bond. The use of photoredox catalysis plays crucial roles in these reactions promoting electron transfer, enabling the generation of radical species and single electron either oxidation or reduction. Such reactions operating at room temperature allow the building of C-C bonds with high chemo-, regio-, or stereoselectivity. This review surveys the formation of C(sp²)-C bonds initiated by photoredox catalysis which involves a C(sp²)-H bond functionalization step, describes the advantages compared to traditional C(sp²)-H bond functionalizations, and presents mechanistic insights into the role played by the photoredox catalysts.

Redox-Neutral Photocatalytic Cyclopropanation via Radical/Polar Crossover

A benchtop stable, bifunctional reagent for the redox-neutral cyclopropanation of olefins has been developed. Triethylammonium bis(catecholato)iodomethylsilicate can be readily prepared on multigram scale. Using this reagent in combination with an organic photocatalyst and visible light, cyclopropanation of an array of olefins, including trifluoromethyl- and pinacolatoboryl-substituted alkenes, can be accomplished in a matter of hours. The reaction is highly tolerant of traditionally reactive functional groups (carboxylic acids, basic heterocycles, alkyl halides, etc.) and permits the chemoselective cyclopropanation of polyolefinated compounds. Mechanistic interrogation revealed that the reaction proceeds via a rapid anionic 3- exo- tet ring closure, a pathway consistent with experimental and computational data.

Visible Light-Mediated Decarboxylative Alkylation of Pharmaceutically Relevant Heterocycles

A net redox-neutral method for the decarboxylative alkylation of heteroarenes using photoredox catalysis is reported. Additionally, this method features the use of simple, commercially available carboxylic acid derivatives as alkylating agents, enabling the facile alkylation of a variety of biologically relevant heterocyclic scaffolds under mild conditions.

A Desulfurative Strategy for the Generation of Alkyl Radicals Enabled by Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

Herein, we present a new desulfurative method for generating primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl radicals through visible-light photoredox catalysis. A process that involves the generation of N-centered radicals from sulfinamide intermediates, followed by subsequent fragmentation, is critical to forming the corresponding alkyl radical species. This strategy has been successfully applied to conjugate addition reactions that features mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope (>60 examples), and good functional-group tolerance.

Catalytic enantioselective Minisci-type addition to heteroarenes

Basic heteroarenes are a ubiquitous feature of pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules, and Minisci-type additions of radical nucleophiles are a leading method for their elaboration. Despite many Minisci-type protocols that result in the formation of stereocenters, exerting control over the absolute stereochemistry at these centers remains an unmet challenge. We report a process for addition of prochiral radicals, generated from amino acid derivatives, to pyridines and quinolines. Our method offers excellent control of both enantioselectivity and regioselectivity. An enantiopure chiral Brønsted acid catalyst serves both to activate the substrate and induce asymmetry, while an iridium photocatalyst mediates the required electron transfer processes. We anticipate that this method will expedite access to enantioenriched small-molecule building blocks bearing versatile basic heterocycles.

Photocatalyzed ortho-Alkylation of Pyridine N-Oxides through Alkene Cleavage

A photocatalyzed reaction of pyridine N-oxides with alkenes gives ortho-alkylated pyridines with cleavage of the carbon-carbon double bond. Benzyl and secondary alkyl groups are incorporated at the ortho position of pyridines in one pot.

Organocatalyzed, Visible-Light Photoredox-Mediated, One-Pot Minisci Reaction Using Carboxylic Acids via N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides

An improved, one-pot Minisci reaction has been developed using visible light, an organic photocatalyst, and carboxylic acids as radical precursors via the intermediacy of in situ-generated N-(acyloxy)phthalimides. The conditions employed are mild, demonstrate a high degree of functional group tolerance, and do not require a large excess of the carboxylic acid reactant. As a result, this reaction can be applied to drug-like scaffolds and molecules with sensitive functional groups, enabling late-stage functionalization, which is of high interest to medicinal chemistry.

Selective electrochemical generation of benzylic radicals enabled by ferrocene-based electron-transfer mediators

The generation and intermolecular functionalisation of carbon-centred radicals has broad potential synthetic utility. Herein, we show that benzylic radicals may be generated electrochemically from benzylboronate derivatives at low electrode potentials (ca. -0.3 V vs. Cp2Fe0/+) via single electron oxidation. Use of a catalytic quantity of a ferrocene-based electron-transfer mediator is crucial to achieve successful radical functionalisation and avoid undesirable side reactions arising from direct electrochemical oxidation or from the use of stoichiometric ferrocenium-based oxidants.

Cu-Catalyzed tertiary alkylation of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with tertiary alkylmagnesium reagents

An efficient method for the synthesis of 3-tertiary alkylated 1,1-difluorostyrene derivatives via Cu-catalyzed alkylation of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with tertiary alkylmagnesium reagents at room temperature was developed.

Metal- and photocatalyst-free visible-light-promoted regioselective selenylation of coumarin derivatives via oxidation-induced C–H functionalization

A visible-light-promoted approach for the regioselective selenylation of 4-amino substituted coumarins has been initially realized under metal- and photocatalyst-free conditions at room temperature.

Regiospecific alkyl addition of (hetero)arene-fused thiophenes enabled by a visible-light-mediated photocatalytic desulfuration approach

A unique photoredox desulfuration approach enabling the regiospecific alkyl addition of (hetero)arene-fused thiophenes is presented.

The photochemical alkylation and reduction of heteroarenes

The functionalization of heteroarenes has been integral to the structural diversification of medicinally active molecules such as quinolines, pyridines, and phenanthridines. Electron-deficient heteroarenes are electronically compatible to react with relatively nucleophilic free radicals such as hydroxyalkyl. However, the radical functionalization of such heteroarenes has been marked by the use of transition-metal catalyzed processes that require initiators and stoichiometric oxidants. Herein, we describe the photochemical alkylation of quinolines, pyridines and phenanthridines, where through direct excitation of the protonated heterocycle, alcohols and ethers, such as methanol and THF, can serve as alkylating agents. We also report the discovery of a photochemical reduction of these heteroarenes using only iPrOH and HCl. Mechanistic studies to elucidate the underlying mechanism of these transformations, and preliminary results on catalytic methylations are also reported.

Late-Stage C-H Alkylation of Heterocycles and 1,4-Quinones via Oxidative Homolysis of 1,4-Dihydropyridines

Under oxidative conditions, 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs) undergo a homolytic cleavage, forming exclusively a Csp3-centered radical that can engage in the C-H alkylation of heterocyclic bases and 1,4-quinones. DHPs are readily prepared from aldehydes, and considering that aldehydes normally require harsh reaction conditions to take part in such transformations, with mixtures of alkylated and acylated products often being obtained, this net decarbonylative alkylation approach becomes particularly useful. The present method takes place under mild reaction conditions and requires only persulfate as a stoichiometric oxidant, making the procedure suitable for the late-stage C-H alkylation of complex molecules. Notably, structurally complex pharmaceutical agents could be functionalized or prepared with this protocol, such as the antimalarial Atovaquone and antitheilerial Parvaquone, thus evidencing its applicability. Mechanistic studies revealed a likely radical chain process via the formation of a dearomatized intermediate, providing a deeper understanding of the factors governing the reactivity of these radical forebears.

Deaminative Strategy for the Visible-Light-Mediated Generation of Alkyl Radicals

A deaminative strategy for the visible-light-mediated generation of alkyl radicals from redox-activated primary amine precursors is described. Abundant and inexpensive primary amine feedstocks, including amino acids, were converted in a single step into redox-active pyridinium salts and subsequently into alkyl radicals by reaction with an excited-state photocatalyst. The broad synthetic potential of this protocol was demonstrated by the alkylation of a number of heteroarenes under mild conditions.