Decarboxylative Alkynylation and Carbonylative Alkynylation of Carboxylic Acids Enabled by Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

Pd-Catalyzed, Ligand-Enabled Stereoselective 1,2-Iodine(III) Shift/1,1-Carboxyalkynylation of Alkynylbenziodoxoles

A Pd^II -catalyzed 2:1 coupling reaction of alkynylbenziodoxole with carboxylic acid to afford (alk-1-en-3-ynyl)benziodoxole, which is efficiently promoted by an octahydrophenazine ligand, is reported. The reaction involves a Pd-assisted 1,2-iodine(III) shift of the alkynylbenziodoxole followed by stereoselective introduction of carboxy and alkynyl groups (the latter originating from another molecule of the alkynylbenziodoxole) into the 1-position of the transient Pd-vinylidene species. The product of this 1,1-carboxyalkynylation reaction serves as a new functionalized enyne-type building block for further synthetic transformations.

Aroyl chlorides as novel acyl radical precursors via visible-light photoredox catalysis

Abundant and inexpensive aroyl chlorides have been employed for the first time as novel acyl radical precursors in visible-light photocatalysis.

Visible-light photoredox catalyzed hydroacylation of electron-deficient alkenes: carboxylic anhydride as an acyl radical source

Simple aromatic carboxylic anhydrides have been employed for a novel acyl Michael addition via visible light photoredox catalysis.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids and sulfoximines

The formation of N-aroylsulfoximines via a copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with NH-sulfoximines is reported.

The direct decarboxylative allylation of N-arylglycine derivatives by photoredox catalysis

The direct decarboxylative allylation of N-arylglycine derivatives has been accomplished via visible-light photoredox catalysis.

Synthesis of carbonylated heteroaromatic compounds via visible-light-driven intramolecular decarboxylative cyclization of o-alkynylated carboxylic acids

An efficient strategy for the easy access to carbonylated heteroaromatic compounds has been developed via a visible-light-promoted intramolecular decarboxylative cyclization reaction of o-alkynylated carboxylic acids.

New reactivity of ethynyl benziodoxolone: modulating iron-catalyzed dehydration of propargyl alcohols

This is the first example of using only a catalytic amount of silyl-EBX in a dehydration reaction since its discovery. Preliminary mechanistic studies ruled out the radical pathways and supported an E1 process.

An Ir-photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative Michael addition of glyoxylic acid acetal as a formyl equivalent

An iridium-photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative conjugated addition of glyoxylic acid acetals with various Michael acceptors was reported. The reaction offers various types of acetal products, which are of synthetic significance as protected aldehydes.

Selective reduction of carboxylic acids to aldehydes with hydrosilane via photoredox catalysis

The direct reduction of carboxylic acids to aldehydes with hydrosilane was achieved through visible light photoredox catalysis.

Photoredox-mediated Minisci C-H alkylation of N-heteroarenes using boronic acids and hypervalent iodine

A photoredox-mediated Minisci C-H alkylation reaction of N-heteroarenes with alkyl boronic acids is reported. A broad range of primary and secondary alkyl groups can be efficiently incorporated into various N-heteroarenes using [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 as photocatalyst and acetoxybenziodoxole as oxidant under mild conditions. The reaction exhibits excellent substrate scope and functional group tolerance, and offers a broadly applicable method for late-stage functionalization of complex substrates. Mechanistic experiments and computational studies suggest that an intramolecularly stabilized ortho-iodobenzoyloxy radical intermediate might play a key role in this reaction system.

Exploration of Visible-Light Photocatalysis in Heterocycle Synthesis and Functionalization: Reaction Design and Beyond

Visible-light photocatalysis has recently received increasing attention from chemists because of its wide application in organic synthesis and its significance for sustainable chemistry. This catalytic strategy enables the generation of various reactive species, frequently without stoichiometric activation reagents under mild reaction conditions. Manipulation of these reactive intermediates can result in numerous synthetically useful bond formations in a controllable manner. In this Account, we describe our recent advances in the rational design and strategic application of photocatalysis in the synthesis of various synthetically and biologically important heterocycles. Our main research efforts toward this goal can be classified into four categories: formal cycloaddition and cyclization reactions, radical-mediated olefin functionalization/cyclization cascades, photocatalytic generation and cyclization of N-centered radicals, and photocatalytic functionalization of heterocycles by visible-light-induced dual catalysis. Inspired by the wide application of tertiary amines as reductive additives in photoredox catalysis, we exploited a series of readily accessible or rationally designed tertiary amines with reactive sites in a range of photocatalytic formal cycloaddition and cyclization reactions, providing efficient access to diverse nitrogen heterocycles. Employing various photogenerated radical species, we further developed a series of radical-mediated olefin functionalization/cyclization cascade reactions to successfully assemble various five- and six-membered heterocycles. We have also achieved for the first time the direct catalytic conversion of recalcitrant N-H bonds into neutral N-centered radicals through a visible-light-photocatalytic oxidative deprotonation electron transfer. Using this generic strategy, we have devised several types of radical cyclizations of unsaturated hydrazones, leading to the construction of diversely functionalized pyrazoline and pyridazine derivatives in good yields and selectivity. Moreover, we have demonstrated that this photocatalysis can serve as a mild and highly selective tool for direct functionalization of heterocycles because of its powerful capability to controllably generate diverse reactive intermediates under mild reaction conditions. Guided by the fundamental principles of photocatalysis and the redox properties of the photocatalysts, we successfully developed an array of dual-catalyst systems by combining the photocatalysts with palladium, nickel, or amine, enabling efficient and selective coupling reactions. An intriguing phototandem catalytic system using a single photocatalyst was also identified for the development of cascade reactions. Notably, some of the newly developed methodologies have also been successfully utilized for late-stage modification of biologically active natural compounds and complex molecules and as key steps for formal synthesis of natural products. This Account presents a panoramic view and the logic of our recent contributions to the design, development, and application of photocatalytic systems and reactions that provide not only methods for the efficient synthesis of heterocycles but also useful insights into the exploration of new photochemical reactions.

Synthesis of Functionalized gem-Difluoroalkenes via a Photocatalytic Decarboxylative/Defluorinative Reaction

A photocatalytic decarboxylative/defluorinative reaction of α-trifluoromethyl alkenes with α-keto acids and α-amino acids has been developed. The reaction occurs at room temperature under visible light irradiation, affording various γ,γ-difluoroallylic ketones and 1,1-difluorohomoallyl amines in good yields. The synthetic applications of the resulting functionalized gem-difluoroalkenes were also described.

Pd-Catalyzed Conversion of Alkynyl-λ(3)-iodanes to Alkenyl-λ(3)-iodanes via Stereoselective 1,2-Iodine(III) Shift/1,1-Hydrocarboxylation

Alkynyl-λ(3)-iodanes have been established as alkynyl cation equivalents for the alkynylation of carbon- and heteroatom-based nucleophiles. Herein, we report an unprecedented reaction mode of this compound class, which features a Pd(II)-assisted 1,2-I(III) shift of an alkynylbenziodoxole. A Pd(II) catalyst mediates this shift and the subsequent interception of the transient vinylidene species with carboxylic acid (1,1-hydrocarboxylation). The product of this stereoselective rearrangement-addition reaction, β-oxyalkenylbenziodoxole, represents a novel and useful building block for further synthetic transformations.

Photocatalytic Aminodecarboxylation of Carboxylic Acids

Aminodecarboxylation of unactivated alkyl carboxylic acids has been accomplished utilizing an organic photocatalyst. This operationally simple reaction utilizes readily available carboxylic acids to chemoselectively generate reactive alkyl intermediates that are not accessible via conventional two-electron pathways. The organic radical intermediates are efficiently trapped with electrophilic diazo compounds to provide aminated alkanes.

Visible-Light Photoredox-Catalyzed Giese Reaction: Decarboxylative Addition of Amino Acid Derived α-Amino Radicals to Electron-Deficient Olefins

A tin- and halide-free, visible-light photoredox-catalyzed Giese reaction was developed. Primary and secondary α-amino radicals were generated readily from amino acids in the presence of catalytic amounts of an iridium photocatalyst. The reactivity of the α-amino radicals has been evaluated for the functionalization of a variety of activated olefins.

Catalytic Access to Alkyl Bromides, Chlorides and Iodides via Visible Light-Promoted Decarboxylative Halogenation

Herein is reported the catalytic, visible light-promoted, decarboxylative halogenation (bromination, chlorination, and iodination) of aliphatic carboxylic acids. This operationally-simple reaction tolerates a range of functional groups, proceeds at room temperature, and is redox neutral. By employing an iridium photocatalyst in concert with a halogen atom source, the use of stoichiometric metals such as silver, mercury, thallium, and lead can be circumvented. This reaction grants access to valuable synthetic building blocks from the large pool of cheap, readily available carboxylic acids.

A photoredox catalyzed radical-radical coupling reaction: facile access to multi-substituted nitrogen heterocycles

Visible light induced photoredox catalysis is an efficient method for radical activation. Herein, we report the photoredox catalysis involving an intramolecular radical-radical coupling reaction that proceeds through a biradical intermediate. This protocol represents a new synthetic route to construct multi-substituted N-heterocycles. Four, five and six-membered N-heterocyclic structures with a quaternary carbon center are accessible under mild conditions.

Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activation of Inert Sulfur Ylides for 3-Acyl Oxindole Synthesis

Bicarbonyl-substituted sulfur ylide is a useful, but inert reagent in organic synthesis. Usually, harsh reaction conditions are required for its transformation. For the first time, it was demonstrated that a new, visible-light photoredox catalytic annulation of sulfur ylides under extremely mild conditions, permits the synthesis of oxindole derivatives in high selectivities and efficiencies. The key to its success is the photocatalytic single-electron-transfer (SET) oxidation of the inert amide and acyl-stabilized sulfur ylides to reactive radical cations, which easily proceeds with intramolecular C-H functionalization to give the final products.

Catalytic N-radical cascade reaction of hydrazones by oxidative deprotonation electron transfer and TEMPO mediation

Compared with the popularity of various C-centred radicals, the N-centred radicals remain largely unexplored in catalytic radical cascade reactions because of a lack of convenient methods for their generation. Known methods for their generation typically require the use of N-functionalized precursors or various toxic, potentially explosive or unstable radical initiators. Recently, visible-light photocatalysis has emerged as an attractive tool for the catalytic formation of N-centred radicals, but the pre-incorporation of a photolabile groups at the nitrogen atom largely limited the reaction scope. Here, we present a visible-light photocatalytic oxidative deprotonation electron transfer/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediation strategy for catalytic N-radical cascade reaction of unsaturated hydrazones. This mild protocol provides a broadly applicable synthesis of 1,6-dihydropyradazines with complete regioselectivity and good yields. The 1,6-dihydropyradazines can be easily transformed into diazinium salts that showed promising in vitro antifungal activities against fungal pathogens. DFT calculations are conducted to explain the mechanism.

The use of N-centred radicals is limited by the difficulties in their preparation. Here, the authors report a photoredox method for the formation of N-centred radicals on hydrazones and their use for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds through a radical cascade reaction.

Visible-light-induced aerobic dearomative reaction of indole derivatives: access to heterocycle fused or spirocyclo indolones

Oxazolo[3,2-a]indolone and spiro[furan-2,2'-indolin]one are synthesized by the visible-light-induced aerobic dearomative reaction of indoles. The common indole tethered alcohol at the N1 or C2 position reacts in a cascade fashion, providing facile access to diverse indolone scaffolds.

Visible Light-Promoted Decarboxylative Di- and Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkyl Carboxylic Acids

Described herein is a new and straightforward decarboxylative di- and trifluoromethylthiolation of alkyl carboxylic acids promoted by visible light. This approach enables the synthesis of biologically relevant alkyl SCF2H and SCF3 compounds from cheap and abundant carboxylic acids. The method is operationally simple, using irradiation from household light sources, and its mild reaction conditions make it tolerant of a range of functional groups. The strategy employs electrophilic phthalimide-derived di- and trifluoromethylthiolation reagents and exploits the ability of the imidyl radical to carry a radical chain.

Visible-light-promoted syntheses of β-keto sulfones from alkynes and sulfonylhydrazides

Functionalized β-keto sulfones were prepared under the synergistic interactions of visible light irradiation, Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂, oxygen, KI, and NaOAc basic additive.

Synthesis of substituted indolizines via radical oxidative decarboxylative annulation of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)acetate derivatives with α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids

A copper mediated radical oxidative annulation of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)acetate derivatives with α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids is developed.

Visible light-mediated decarboxylative amination of indoline-2-carboxylic acids catalyzed by Rose Bengal

A visible-light-induced decarboxylative amination of N-protected indoline-2-carboxylic acids and azodicarboxylate esters catalyzed by Rose Bengal has been developed.

Palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of amides: access to ynones via C–N bond cleavage

The first palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of amides has been developed, which proceeds via a selective cleavage of the N-acylsaccharin C–N bond. The protocol is mild, highly functional group tolerant and can be efficiently employed in the synthesis of a broad array of ynones in 48–98% yields under low catalyst loading and Cu-free conditions.