Enantioselective Intramolecular ortho Photocycloaddition Reactions of 2-Acetonaphthones

2-Acetonaphthones, which bear an alkenyl group tethered to its C1 carbon atom via an oxygen atom, were found to undergo an enantioselective intramolecular ortho photocycloaddition reaction. A chiral oxazaborolidine Lewis acid leads to a bathochromic absorption shift of the substrate and enables an efficient enantioface differentiation. Visible light irradiation (λ=450 nm) triggers the reaction which is tolerant of various groups at almost any position except carbon atom C8 (16 examples, 53-99 % yield, 80-97 % ee). Consecutive reactions were explored including a sensitized rearrangement to tetrahydrobiphenylenes, which occurred with full retention of configuration. Evidence was collected that the catalytic photocycloaddition occurs via triplet intermediates, and the binding mode of the acetonaphthone to the chiral Lewis acid was elucidated by DFT calculations.

Mechanisms and Synthetic Strategies in Visible Light-Driven [2+2]-Heterocycloadditions

The synthesis of four membered heterocycles usually requires multi-step procedures and prefunctionalized reactants. A straightforward alternative is the photochemical [2+2]-heterocycloaddition between an alkene and a carbonyl derivative, conventionally based on the photoexcitation of this latter. However, this approach is limited by the absorption profile of the carbonyl, requiring in most of the cases the use of high-energy UV-light, that often results in undesired side reactions and/or the degradation of the reaction components. The development of new and milder visible light-driven [2+2]-heterocycloadditions is, therefore, highly desirable. In this Review, we highlight the most relevant achievements in the development of [2+2]-heterocycloadditions promoted by visible light, with a particular emphasis on the involved reaction mechanisms. The open challenges will also be discussed, suggesting new possible evolutions, and stimulating new methodological developments in the field.

Photocatalytic E → Z Contra ‐Thermodynamic Isomerization of Vinyl Silanes with Lewis Base

Herein, we disclosed the contra‐thermodynamic E→Z isomerization of alkenyl silanes, according to the in situ formation of a chromophoric species, in the presence of rac‐BINAP as the catalyst. The reaction carried out in DMSO or CH₃CN under irradiation at 405 nm allowed the interconversion of the E‐isomers into the Z‐congeners in good to excellent yields and outstanding Z/E selectivities, on 18 examples. Finally, the mechanism of this E→Z isomerization was studied to get insight into the reaction mechanism.

Recent Visible Light and Metal Free Strategies in [2+2] and [4+2] Photocycloadditions

When aiming to synthesize molecules with elevated molecular complexity starting from relatively simple starting materials, photochemical transformations represent an open avenue to circumvent analogous multistep procedures. Specifically, light-mediated cycloadditions remain as powerful tools to generate new bonds begotten from non-very intuitive disconnections, that alternative thermal protocols would not offer. In response to the current trend in both industrial and academic research pointing towards green and sustainable processes, several strategies that meet these requirements are currently available in the literature. This Minireview summarizes [2+2] and [4+2] photocycloadditions that do not require the use of metal photocatalysts by means of alternative strategies. It is segmented according to the cycloaddition type in order to give the reader a friendly approach and we primarily focus on the most recent developments in the field carried out using visible light, a general overview of the mechanism in each case is offered as well.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclohepta[b]indoles by Visible-Light-Induced [2+2]-Cycloaddition/retro-Mannich-type Reactions

A novel method for the concise synthesis of cyclohepta[b]indoles in high yields was developed. The method involves a visible-light-induced, photocatalyzed [2+2]-cycloaddition/ retro-Mannich-type reaction of enaminones. Experimental and computational studies suggested that the reaction is a photoredox process initiated by single-electron oxidation of an enaminone moiety, which undergoes subsequent cyclobutane formation and rapidly fragmentation in a radical-cation state to form cyclohepta[b]indoles.

Activation of 2-Cyclohexenone by BF3 Coordination: Mechanistic Insights from Theory and Experiment

Lewis acids have recently been recognized as catalysts enabling enantioselective photochemical transformations. Mechanistic studies on these systems are however rare, either due to their absorption at wavelengths shorter than 260 nm, or due to the limitations of theoretical dynamic studies for larger complexes. In this work, we overcome these challenges and employ sub-30-fs transient absorption in the UV, in combination with a highly accurate theoretical treatment on the XMS-CASPT2 level. We investigate 2-cyclohexenone and its complex to boron trifluoride and analyze the observed dynamics based on trajectory calculations including non-adiabatic coupling and intersystem crossing. This approach explains all ultrafast decay pathways observed in the complex. We show that the Lewis acid remains attached to the substrate in the triplet state, which in turn explains why chiral boron-based Lewis acids induce a high enantioselectivity in photocycloaddition reactions.

Visible-Light-Mediated Heterocycle Functionalization via Geometrically Interrupted [2+2] Cycloaddition

The [2+2] photocycloaddition is the most valuable and intensively investigated photochemical process. Here we demonstrate that irradiation of N‐acryloyl heterocycles with blue LED light (440 nm) in the presence of an Ir^III complex leads to efficient and high yielding fused γ‐lactam formation across a range of substituted heterocycles. Quantum calculations show that the reaction proceeds via cyclization in the triplet excited state to yield a 1,4‐diradical; intersystem crossing leads preferentially to the closed shell singlet zwitterion. This is geometrically restricted from undergoing recombination to yield a cyclobutane by the planarity of the amide substituent. A prototropic shift leads to the observed bicyclic products in what can be viewed as an interrupted [2+2] cycloaddition.

Visible-Light-Induced Dearomatizations

The dearomatization of aromatic compounds is an important synthetic strategy used in accessing complex three-dimensional structures from simple aromatic precursors. This minireview aims to provide an overview of recent advancements in this area, with a specific focus on visible-light-mediated dearomative transformations. Compared to the conventional high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light-promoted processes, not only these new approaches offer milder reaction conditions to accommodate wider variety of substrates with sensitive functionalities, but also enable the use of photocatalysts and other promoters, significantly expanding the reaction space. Application of these transformations to the synthesis of bioactive compounds are also discussed.