Aldehydes as Carbon Radical Acceptors: Silver Nitrate Catalyzed Cascade Decarboxylation and Oxidative Cyclization toward Dihydroflavonoid Derivatives

Boryl Radical as a Catalyst in Enabling Intra- and Intermolecular Cascade Radical Cyclization Reactions: Construction of Polycyclic Molecules

Cascade radical cyclization constitutes an atom- and step-economic route for rapid assembly of polycyclic molecular skeletons. Although an array of redox-active metal catalysts has recently shown robust applications in enabling various catalytic cascade radical processes, the use of free organic radical as the catalyst, which is capable of triggering strategically distinct cascades, has rarely been developed. Here, we disclosed that the benzimidazolium-based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-boryl radical is capable of catalyzing cascade cyclization reactions in both intra- and intermolecular pathways, assembling [5,5] fused bicyclic and [6,6,6] fused tricyclic molecules, respectively. The catalytic reactions start with the chemo- and regioselective addition of the boryl radical catalyst to a tethered alkene or alkyne moiety, followed by either an intramolecular formal [3+2] or an intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition process to construct bicyclo[3.3.0]octane or tetrahydrophenanthridine skeletons, respectively. Eventually, a β-elimination occurs to release the boryl radical catalyst, completing a catalytic cycle. High to excellent diastereoselectivity is achieved in both catalytic reactions under substrate control.

Unified Approach to Diverse Heterocyclic Synthesis: Organo-Photocatalyzed Carboacylation of Alkenes and Alkynes from Feedstock Aldehydes and Alcohols

We report an organo-photocatalyzed carboacylation reaction that offers a springboard to create chemical complexity in a diversity-driven approach. The modular one-pot method uses feedstock aldehydes and alcohols as acyl surrogates and commercially available Eosin Y as the photoredox catalyst, making it simple and affordable to introduce structural diversity. Several biologically relevant skeletons have been easily synthesized under mild conditions in the presence of visible light irradiation by fostering a radical acylation/cyclization cascade. The proposed reaction mechanism was further illuminated by a number of spectroscopic studies. Furthermore, we applied this protocol for the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals and blockbuster drugs.

Visible light-induced radical cascade acylmethylation/cyclization of 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes with α-bromo ketones: access to cyclic 1,5-dicarbonyl-containing chroman-4-one skeletons

A novel photocatalytic protocol for effective and efficient synthesis of cyclic 1,5-diketones containing chroman-4-one skeletons in moderate to good yields via radical cascade acylmethylation/cyclization of 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes with α-bromo ketones has been described. This reaction features a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and metal- and oxidant-free conditions. An acylmethyl radical-triggered cascade cyclization was involved.

Redox-neutral and metal-free synthesis of 3-(arylmethyl)chroman-4-ones via visible-light-driven alkene acylarylation

A metal- and aldehyde-free visible-light-driven photoredox-neutral alkene acylarylation with readily available cyanoarenes is described. A variety of 3-(arylmethyl)chroman-4-ones (i.e., homoisoflavonoids) and analogs are efficiently synthesized with good functional group tolerance. This mild protocol relies on a phosphoranyl radical-mediated acyl radical-initiated cyclization and selective radical-radical coupling sequence, and is also further highlighted by subsequent derivatization to chromone and 2H-chromene as well as its application in the three-component alkene acylarylation.

Metal-Free Synthesis of Carbamoylated Chroman-4-Ones via Cascade Radical Annulation of 2-(Allyloxy)arylaldehydes with Oxamic Acids

An efficient and straightforward approach for the synthesis of carbamoylated chroman-4-ones has been well-developed. The reaction is triggered through the generation of carbamoyl radicals from oxamic acids under metal-free conditions, which subsequently undergoes decarboxylative radical cascade cyclization on 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes to afford various amide-containing chroman-4-one scaffolds with high functional group tolerance and a broad substrate scope.

Catalyst-controlled functionalization of carboxylic acids by electrooxidation of self-assembled carboxyl monolayers

While the electrooxidative activation of carboxylic acids is an attractive synthetic methodology, the resulting transformations are generally limited to either homocoupling or further oxidation followed by solvent capture. These reactions require extensive electrolysis at high potentials, which ultimately renders the methodology incompatible with metal catalysts that could possibly provide new and complementary product distributions. This work establishes a proof-of-concept for a rare and synthetically-underutilized strategy for selective electrooxidation of carboxylic acids in the presence of oxidatively-sensitive catalysts that control reaction selectivity. We leverage the formation of self-adsorbed monolayers of carboxylate substrates at the anode to promote selective oxidation of the adsorbed carboxylate over a more easily-oxidized catalyst. Consequently, reactions operate at lower potentials, greater faradaic efficiencies, and improved catalyst compatibility over conventional approaches, which enables reactions to be performed with inexpensive Fe complexes that catalyze selective radical additions to olefins.

Organic Sulfinic Acids and Salts in Visible Light-Induced Reactions

Sulfinic acids and their salts are a useful source of sulfur-containing structures. Photocatalysis of these compounds with visible light enables to achieve various transformations under mild conditions. This review summarizes visible-light-induced reactions of sulfinic acids and their salts. It is organized by reaction type and brief discussions on plausible reaction mechanisms for typical transformations are presented.

1 Introduction

2 Sulfonylation Reactions

2.1 Sulfonylation of Alkenes

2.2 Sulfonylation of Alkynes

2.3 Sulfonylation of Arenes

2.4 sp3 C–H Functionalization

3 Desulfonylation Reactions

4 Sulfenylation Reactions

4.1 Sulfenylation of Heteroarenes

4.2 Sulfenylation of Carbonyl Chlorides

5 Conclusions

Photochemical and electrochemical strategies in C–F bond activation and functionalization

The recent advances in photochemical or electrochemical C–F bond activation and functionalization have been summarized and discussed.

The construction of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones from N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles through radical strategies

Benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one constitutes a structurally unique class of tetracyclic N-heterocycles that are found throughout a myriad of biologically active natural products, pharmaceutical compounds, and functional materials. Various synthetic routes for the preparation of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones have been reported. In particular, the use of N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles to construct benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones through various radical strategies have attracted widespread attention due to the versatility and simple preparation of raw materials, as well as the step-economy and mild reaction conditions. Using representative examples, we highlight significant progress in the synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones, including the selection of the catalytic system, substrate scope, mechanistic understanding, and applications. The contents of this review focus on the development of C-, S-, P-, and Si-centered radical addition-intramolecular cyclization strategies.

Current developments in the synthesis of 4-chromanone-derived compounds

The chroman-4-one framework is a significant structural entity that belongs to the class of oxygen-containing heterocycles. It acts as a major building block in a large class of medicinal compounds, and synthetic compounds exhibit a broad variety of remarkable biological and pharmaceutical activities. Several studies have been performed to improve the methodologies of 4-chromanone-derived compounds. This review focuses on the major synthetic methods of preparation reported on chroman-4-one derivatives from 2016 to 2021.

Electrochemical Trifluoromethylthiolation and Spirocyclization of Alkynes with AgSCF3: Access to SCF3-Containing Spiro[5,5]trienones

A novel and efficient strategy for trifluoromethylthiolation and dearomatization of activated alkynes with stable and readily available AgSCF₃ has been developed. Reported herein is the unprecedented electrochemical generation of the SCF₃ radical in the absence of persulfate for the synthesis of SCF₃-containing spiro[5,5]trienones in good yields via a 6-exo-trig radical cyclization.

Solvent-controlled photocatalytic divergent cyclization of alkynyl aldehydes: access to cyclopentenones and dihydropyranols

Divergent synthesis is a powerful strategy for the fast assembly of different molecular scaffolds from identical starting materials. We describe here a solvent-controlled photocatalytic divergent cyclization of alkynyl aldehydes with sulfonyl chlorides for the direct construction of highly functionalized cyclopentenones and dihydropyranols that widely exist in bioactive molecules and natural products. Density functional theory calculations suggest that a unique N,N-dimethylacetamide-assisted 1,2-hydrogen transfer of alkoxy radicals is responsible for the cyclopentenone formation, whereas a C–C cleavage accounts for the selective production of dihydropyranols in acetonitrile and water at 50 °C. Given the simple and mild reaction conditions, excellent functional group compatibility, forming up to four chemical bonds, and tunable selectivity, it may find wide applications in synthetic chemistry.

A solvent-controlled photocatalytic divergent cyclization of alkynyl aldehydes is developed, providing a facile access to sulfonylated cyclopentenones and dihydropyranols under mild conditions.

Bifunctional acidic ionic liquid-catalyzed decarboxylative cascade synthesis of quinoxalines in water under ambient conditions

An acid-functionalized ionic liquid (IL)-catalyzed cascade decarboxylative cyclization of 2-arylanilines with α-oxocarboxylic acids was developed.

Direct synthesis of 4-hydroxycoumarins and 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone containing chroman-4-ones via a silver catalyzed radical cascade cyclization reaction

A novel AgNO3/K2S2O8 catalyzed radical cascade cyclization reaction of 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes with 4-hydroxycoumarins and 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone produces two new series of chroman-2-ones.

Metal-free synthesis of phosphinoylchroman-4-ones via a radical phosphinoylation-cyclization cascade mediated by K2S2O8

A variety of chroman-4-ones bearing phosphine oxide motifs were conveniently synthesized from readily available diphenylphosphine oxides and alkenyl aldehydes via a metal-free tandem phosphinoylation/cyclization protocol. The reaction utilizes K2S2O8 as oxidant and proceeds in DMSO/H2O at environmentally benign conditions with a broad substrate scope and afforded the title compounds in moderate yields.

Metal-free spirocyclization of N-arylpropiolamides with glyoxylic acids: access to complex azaspiro-fused tricycles

An efficient K₂S₂O₈-mediated oxidative cascade spirocyclization of N-arylpropiolamides with aryl glyoxylic acids was demonstrated for constructing azaspiro[4,5]-trienones and complex azaspiro-fused architectures.

Transition-metal-free synthesis of CMe2CF3-containing chroman-4-ones via decarboxylative trifluoroalkylation

(NH₄)₂S₂O₈-mediated decarboxylative trifluoroalkylation of alkenes with 3,3,3-trifluoro-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid under metal-free conditions has been described.

Silver-catalyzed decarboxylative radical cascade cyclization toward benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones

A simple and efficient decarboxylative radical addition/cyclization strategy was developed, by which a wide range of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones were prepared in one-pot via reaction of functionalized 2-arylbenzoimidazoles and carboxylic acids in the presence of K2S2O8/AgNO3 under mild reaction conditions.

Visible light photocatalytic acyldifluoroalkylation of unactivated alkenes for the direct synthesis of gem-difluorinated ketones

A photoredox-catalyzed alkene acyldifluoroalkylation with difluoroacetic acids for the direct synthesis of gem-difluorinated cyclic ketones is developed.

Silver-catalyzed cascade radical cyclization of 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes with cyclopropanols: access to chroman-4-one derivatives

A convenient silver-catalyzed cascade radical cyclization of 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes with cyclopropanols was developed to synthesize carbonyl-containing alkyl-substituted chroman-4-one derivatives.

Metal-free sulfonyl radical-initiated cascade cyclization to access sulfonated indolo[1,2-a]quinolines

A metal-free cascade reaction was developed for the synthesis of indolo[1,2-a]quinoline derivatives from arylsulfonyl hydrazides and 1-(2-(arylethynyl)phenyl)indoles in the presence of TBAI/TBHP.

Applications of H-phosphonates for C element bond formation

The readily accessible and inexpensive dialkyl H-phosphonates are important building blocks for organic synthesis. This review specifically covers our recent work on the application of H-phosphonates as reactants for C–P bond formation, and as promoters for quinoline N-oxides to synthesize 2-functionalized quinolines.

K2S2O8-Mediated Selective Trifluoromethylacylation and Trifluoromethylarylation of Alkenes under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions: Synthetic Scope and Mechanistic Studies

A practical and efficient method for selective intramolecular radical trifluoromethylacylation and -arylation of alkenes with inexpensive CF₃SO₂Na and K₂S₂O₈ in aqueous media has been developed, respectively, affording the highly chemoselective synthesis of CF₃-functionalized chroman-4-ones and chromanes in satisfactory yields. Control experiments and DFT calculations indicate that the CF₃SO₂Na/K₂S₂O₈ system is capable of trifluoromethylating the substrate of alkenes without a transition metal catalyst and the oxidation of CF₃SO₂Na to ·CF₃ by K₂S₂O₈ is involved in the rate-determining step.

Silver-Catalyzed Radical Cascade Cyclization toward 1,5-/1,3-Dicarbonyl Heterocycles: An Atom-/Step-Economical Strategy Leading to Chromenopyridines and Isoxazole-/Pyrazole-Containing Chroman-4-Ones

A novel and convenient silver-catalyzed radical cascade cyclization toward a large variety of 1,5-/1,3-dicarbonyl heterocycles containing a chroman-4-one, indanone, or 2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1 H)-one moiety was developed, by reacting various 2-functionalized benzaldehydes, including 2-allyloxy benzaldehydes, 2-allyl benzaldehyde, and 2-N(Ts)CH₂-CH═CH₂ substituted benzaldehyde, with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of AgNO₃/K₂S₂O₈ in one pot under mild reaction conditions. The newly obtained 1,5-/1,3-dicarbonyl-containing heterocycles were further used directly to synthesize more structurally diverse polyheterocycles, mainly including chromenopyridines as well as isoxazole- or pyrazole-containing chroman-4-ones.