Photoredox-gesteuerte Mono- und Di-Multifluorarylierung von C(sp3 )-H-Bindungen mit Arylfluoriden

Photoredox Catalyzed Single C-F Bond Activation of Trifluoromethyl Ketones: A Solvent Controlled Divergent Access of gem-Difluoromethylene Containing Scaffolds

Selective defluorinative functionalization of trifluoromethyl ketones is a long-standing challenge owing to the exhaustive mode of the process. To meet the demands for the installation of the gem-difluoromethylene unit for the construction of the molecular architectures of well-known pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, a distinct pathway is thereby highly desirable. Here, a protocol is introduced that allows the divergent synthesis of gem-difluoromethylene group containing tetrahydrofuran derivatives and linear ketones via single C-F bond activation of trifluoromethyl ketones using visible-light photoredox catalysis in the presence of suitable olefins as trapping partner. The choice of appropriate solvent and catalyst plays a significant role in controlling the divergent behavior of this protocol. Highly reducing photo-excited catalysts are found to be responsible for the generation of α,α-difluoromethyl ketone (DFMK) radicals as the key intermediate via a SET process. This protocol also results in a high diastereoselectivity towards the formation of partially fluorinated cyclic ketal derivatives with simultaneous construction of one C-C and two C-O bonds. State-of-the-art DFT calculations are performed to address the origin of diastereoselectivity as well as the divergence of this protocol.

Deoxygenative Cross-Coupling of Aromatic Amides with Polyfluoroarenes

Considering the ubiquitous nature and ready synthesis of amides, and the great significance of organofluorine-containing species, the cross-coupling of amides and polyfluoroarenes, leading to new carbon-carbon bond-forming methodologies, would find useful applications in synthesis, late-stage functionalization, and rapid generation of molecular diversity. Herein, we present a novel synthesis of α-polyfluoroaryl amines via Sm/SmI₂ -mediated deoxygenative cross-coupling of aromatic amides with polyfluoroarenes through direct C-H functionalization. The structural and functional diversity of these readily available precursors provides a versatile and flexible strategy for the streamlined synthesis of α-polyfluoroaryl amines. Combining experimental and theoretical studies, a novel plausible mechanism of the α-aminocarbene-mediated C-H insertion has been revealed, which may stimulate future work for the development of novel methods in amine synthesis.

HFIP-Assisted Single C-F Bond Activation of Trifluoromethyl Ketones using Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

A visible light photoredox catalytic method for the selective cleavage of single strong C-F bond in trifluoromethyl ketones is reported. Single electron reduction of trifluoromethyl ketones generates difluoromethyl radicals which can be engaged in intermolecular C-C bond formation with N-methyl-N-arylmethacrylamides to furnish fluorine-containing oxindole derivatives in good yields. The reaction shows excellent chemoselectivity with good functional group tolerance under mild conditions. 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as a solvent plays a critical role for the selective single C-F bond cleavage. High-level DFT calculations are depicted to shed light on the mechanism.

Decarboxylative Polyfluoroarylation of Alkylcarboxylic Acids

Polyfluoroarenes are useful building blocks in several areas such as drug discovery, materials, and crop protection. Herein, we report the first polyfluoroarylation of aliphatic carboxylic acids via photoredox decarboxylation. The method proceeds with broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance. Moreover, small complex molecules such as natural products and drugs can be modified by late-stage modification.

Visible Light-Enabled sp3 -C-H Functionalization with Chloro- and Bromoalkynes: Chemoselective Route to Vinylchlorides or Alkynes

An unprecedented direct atom-economic chemo- and regioselective hydroalkylation of chloroalkynes and an sp3 -C-H alkynylation of bromoalkynes was achieved. The reaction partners are unfunctionalized ethers, alcohols, amides, and even non-activated hydrocarbons. We found that a household fluorescent bulb was able to excite a diaryl ketone, which then selectively abstracts a H-atom from an sp3 -C-H bond. The product of a formal alkyne insertion into the sp3 -C-H bond was obtained with chloroalkynes, providing valuable vinyl chlorides. The photo-organocatalytic hydrogen atom transfer strategy gives rise to a broad range of diversely functionalized olefins. When bromoalkynes are applied in the presence of a base, a chemoselectivity switch to an alkynylation is observed. This reaction can even be performed for the alkynylation of unactivated sp3 -C-H bonds, in this case with a preference of the more substituted carbon. Accompanying quantum chemical calculations indicate a vinyl radical intermediate with pronounced linear coordination of the carbon radical center, thus enabling the formation of both diastereoisomers after H-atom abstraction, suggesting that the (Z)-diastereoisomer is preferred, which supports the experimentally observed (E/Z)-distribution.

Transition-Metal-Free Reductive Functionalization of Tertiary Carboxamides and Lactams for α-Branched Amine Synthesis

A new method for the synthesis of α-branched amines by reductive functionalization of tertiary carboxamides and lactams is described. The process relies on the efficient and controlled reduction of tertiary amides by a sodium hydride/sodium iodide composite, in situ treatment of the resulting anionic hemiaminal with trimethylsilyl chloride and subsequent coupling with nucleophilic reagents including Grignard reagents and tetrabutylammonium cyanide. The new method exhibits broad functional-group compatibility, operates under transition-metal-free reaction conditions, and is suitable for various synthetic applications on both sub-millimole and on multigram scales.

Visible-Light-Induced Selective Defluoroborylation of Polyfluoroarenes, gem-Difluoroalkenes, and Trifluoromethylalkenes

Fluorinated organoboranes serve as versatile synthetic precursors for the preparation of value-added fluorinated organic compounds. Recent progress has been mainly focused on the transition-metal catalyzed defluoroborylation. Herein, we report a photocatalytic defluoroborylation platform through direct B-H activation of N-heterocyclic carbene boranes, through the synergistic merger of a photoredox catalyst and a hydrogen atom transfer catalyst. This atom-economic and operationally simple protocol has enabled defluoroborylation of an extremely broad scope of multifluorinated substrates including polyfluoroarenes, gem-difluoroalkenes, and trifluoromethylalkenes in a highly selective fashion. Intriguingly, the defluoroborylation protocol can be transition-metal free, and the regioselectivity obtained is complementary to the reported transition-metal-catalysis in many cases.

Direct Arylation of α-Amino C(sp3 )-H Bonds by Convergent Paired Electrolysis

A metal-free convergent paired electrolysis strategy to synthesize benzylic amines through direct arylation of tertiary amines and benzonitrile derivatives at room temperature has been developed. This TEMPO-mediated electrocatalytic reaction makes full use of both anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction without metals or stoichiometric oxidants, thus showing great potential and advantages for practical synthesis. This convergent paired electrolysis method provides a straightforward and powerful means to activate C-H bonds and realize cross-coupling with cathodically generated species.

Gold-Catalyzed C(sp2 )-C(sp) Coupling by Alkynylation through Oxidative Addition of Bromoalkynes

A gold(I)-catalyzed cascade cyclization-alkynylation of allenoates using alkynyl bromide to generate β-alkynyl-γ-butenolides was investigated. Whereas alkynyl iodides afforded significant amounts of the homo-coupling of two lactone units, alkynyl bromides led to a selective reaction, and a broad functional group tolerance was observed. Under the optimized reaction conditions, it was possible to directly synthesize a large range of β-alkynyl-γ-butenolides in moderate to good yields without the need for any external oxidant.

Selective Hydroarylation of 1,3-Diynes Using a Dimeric Manganese Catalyst: Modular Synthesis of Z-Enynes

The transition-metal-catalyzed selective hydroarylation of unsymmetrical alkynes represents the state-of-art in organic chemistry, and still mainly relies on the use of precious late-transition-metal catalysts. Reported herein is an unprecedented Mn^I -catalyzed hydroarylation of unsymmetrical 1,3-diyne alcohols with commercially available arylboronic acids with predictive selectivity. This method addresses the challenges in regio-, stereo-, and chemoselectivity. It offers a general, convenient and practical strategy for the modular synthesis of multisubstituted Z-configurated conjugated enynes. This protocol is distinguished by its operational simplicity, complete selectivity, excellent functional-group compatibility, and gram-scale potential. A dimeric Mn^I species, Mn₂ (CO)₈ Br₂ , was proven to be a much more efficient catalyst precursor than Mn(CO)₅ Br.

Photocatalytic Generation of Nitrenes for Rapid Diaziridination

A blue LED, an organic photocatalyst (rose bengal), and the Lewis acid like oxidant PhI(OAc)₂ were utilized to generate nitrene intermediates through reactions of 1,2-diols and aliphatic amines under mild reaction conditions. A versatile and rapid diaziridination strategy was established to construct functionalized 1,2-disubstituted diaziridines, diaziridines with chiral substituents, and 1,2,3-trisubstituted analogues with excellent reaction rates, yields, and stereoselectivities. Control and labeling experiments to elucidate the mechanism of this elegant metal-free photocatalyzed cyclization reaction were performed.

Cross-Coupling of Sodium Sulfinates with Aryl, Heteroaryl, and Vinyl Halides by Nickel/Photoredox Dual Catalysis

An efficient photoredox/nickel catalyzed sulfonylation reaction of aryl, heteroaryl, and vinyl halides has been achieved for the first time. This newly developed sulfonylation protocol provides a versatile method for the synthesis of diverse aromatic sulfones at room temperature and shows excellent functional group tolerance. The electrophilic coupling partners are not limited to aryl, heteroaryl, and vinyl bromides and iodides, but also includes less reactive aryl chlorides as suitable substrates for this transformation.