Photoactivated N ‐Acyliminoiodinanes Applied to Amination: an ortho ‐Methoxymethyl Group Stabilizes Reactive Precursors

Aziridination via Nitrogen-Atom Transfer to Olefins from Photoexcited Azoxy-Triazenes

Herein, we report that readily accessible azoxy-triazenes can serve as nitrogen atom sources under visible light excitation for the phthalimido-protected aziridination of alkenes. This approach eliminates the need for external oxidants, precious transition metals, and photocatalysts, marking a departure from conventional methods. The versatility of this transformation extends to the selective aziridination of both activated and unactivated multisubstituted alkenes of varying electronic profiles. Notably, this process avoids the formation of competing C-H insertion products. The described protocol is operationally simple, scalable, and adaptable to photoflow conditions. Mechanistic studies support the idea that the photofragmentation of azoxy-triazenes results in the generation of a free singlet nitrene. Furthermore, a mild photoredox-catalyzed N-N cleavage of the protecting group to furnish the free aziridines is reported. Our findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable and practical methodologies for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds, showcasing the potential for broader applications in synthetic chemistry.

Organic Dye-Sensitized Nitrene Generation: Intermolecular Aziridination of Unactivated Alkenes

Aziridines are important structural motifs and intermediates, and several synthetic strategies for the direct aziridination of alkenes have been introduced. However, many of these strategies require an excess of activated alkene, suffer from competing side-reactions, have limited functional group tolerance, or involve precious transition metal-based catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate the direct aziridination of alkenes by combining sulfonyl azides as a triplet nitrene source with a catalytic amount of an organic dye functioning as photosensitizer. We show how the nature of the sulfonyl azide, in combination with the triplet-excited state energy of the photosensitizer, affects the aziridination yield and provide a mechanistic rationale to account for the observed dependence of the reaction yield on the nature of the organic dye and sulfonyl azide reagents. The optimized reaction conditions enable the aziridination of structurally diverse and complex alkenes, carrying various functional groups, with the alkene as the limiting reagent.

Photocatalytic Generation of Trifluoromethyl Nitrene for Alkene Aziridination

N-Trifluoromethylated organics may be applied in drug design, agrochemical synthesis, and materials science, among other areas. Yet, despite recent advances in the synthesis of aliphatic, cyclic and heterocyclic N-trifluoromethyl compounds, no strategy based on trifluoromethyl nitrene has hitherto been explored. Here we describe the formation of triplet trifluoromethyl nitrene from azidotrifluoromethane, a stable and safe-to-use precursor, by visible light photocatalysis. The addition of CF3 N to alkenes via biradical intermediates afforded previously unknown aziridines substituted with trifluoromethyl group on the nitrogen atom. The obtained aziridines were converted into either N-trifluoromethylimidazolines, via formal [3+2] cycloaddition with nitriles, mediated by a Lewis acid, or into N-trifluoromethylaldimines, via ring opening and aryl group migration mediated by a strong Brønsted acid. Our findings open new opportunities for the development of novel classes of N-CF3 compounds with possible applications in the life sciences.

Visible-Light-Induced Regioselective Radical Oxo-Amination of Alkenes with O2 as the Oxygen Source

An efficient and novel visible-light-induced oxo-amination of terminal alkenes for the construction of α-amino ketones with easily accessible and green O2 as the oxygen source has been developed. The transformation possesses the advantages of operational simplicity, a broad substrate scope, high atom economy, and mild reaction conditions. The mechanistic studies reveal that an energy transfer process probably occurs in the initial stage, and the reaction proceeds via β-scission of the alkoxyl radical species.

α-Amination of Carbonyl Compounds by Using Hypervalent Iodine-Based Aminating Reagents Containing a Transferable (Diarylmethylene)amino Group

Hypervalent iodine-based aminating reagents containing a transferable (diarylmethylene)amino group can be used for the α-amination of simple carbonyl compounds such as esters, amides, and ketones in the presence of a lithium base. The (diarylmethylene)amino groups of the products can be readily modified, thus providing access to primary amines and diarylmethylamines. The developed method features transition-metal-free conditions and a simple one-pot procedure without the need to prepare enolate equivalents separately, thus offering a general and practical approach to the synthesis of a wide variety of α-amino carbonyl compounds. Experimental mechanistic investigations indicate that this amination proceeds through a unique radical coupling of an α-carbonyl radical with an iminyl radical; they are generated through a single-electron transfer between a lithium enolate and the hypervalent iodine reagent.

An unexpected synthesis of azepinone derivatives through a metal-free photochemical cascade reaction

Azepinone derivatives are privileged in organic synthesis and pharmaceuticals. Synthetic approaches to these frameworks are limited to complex substrates, strong bases, high power UV light or noble metal catalysis. We herein report a mild synthesis of azepinone derivatives by a photochemical generation of 2-aryloxyaryl nitrene, [2 + 1] annulation, ring expansion/water addition cascade reaction without using any metal catalyst. Among the different nitrene precursors tested, 2-aryloxyaryl azides performed best under blue light irradiation and Brønsted acid catalysis. The reaction scope is broad and the obtained products underwent divergent transformations to afford other related compounds. A computational study suggests a pathway involving a step-wise aziridine formation, followed by a ring-expansion to the seven-membered heterocycle. Finally, water is added in a regio-selective manner, this is accelerated by the added TsOH.

Access to Functionalized Thiazolothiadiazoles via the Chemoselective Cascade Heteroannulation of Thioamides with Hypervalent Iodine Reagents

We describe herein a chemo- and regioselective cascade annulation between β-ketothioamides and diazo-substituted hypervalent iodine reagents under transition-metal-free and base-free conditions at room temperature. Thus, a divergent construction of fused-heterocyclic scaffold thiazolothiadiazoles has been achieved with the advantages of operational simplicity, scalability, broad substrate compatibility, and mild reaction conditions. This one-pot strategy not only avoids potential toxicity but also broadens the arsenal of synthetic methods to obtain fused N,S-heterocyclic frameworks.

In Situ Generation of N-Triflylimino-λ3-iodanes: Application to Imidation of Phosphines and Catalytic α-Amidation of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds

We describe the imidation of phosphines and α-amidation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds using N-triflylimino-λ³-iodane, which is generated in situ from iodosylarene and triflylamide without any other additives. Furthermore, the imino-λ³-iodane catalytically generated from an iodoarene precatalyst with oxone and triflylamide promotes α-amidation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, representing the first method catalyzed by imino-λ³-iodane.

Recent advances in visible light-induced C(sp3)–N bond formation

Synthetic chemists have long focused on selective C(sp ³)-N bond-forming approaches in response to the high value of this motif in natural products, pharmaceutical agents and functional materials. In recent years, visible light-induced protocols have become an important synthetic platform to promote this transformation under mild reaction conditions. These photo-driven methods rely on converting visible light into chemical energy to generate reactive but controllable radical species. This Review highlights recent advances in this area, mostly after 2014, with an emphasis placed on C(sp ³)-H bond activations, including amination of olefins and carbonyl compounds, and cross-coupling reactions.

N-Acylimino-λ3-iodanes from the Metathesis of Iodosoarenes and Nitriles for the Photoinduced C-H Perfluoroacylamination of (Hetero)Arenes

An efficient and scalable synthesis of N-perfluoroacylimino-λ³-iodanes was achieved via an unprecedented metathesis between iodosoarenes and perfluoroalkanenitriles. The perfluoroacylamino groups of the iodanes could be introduced to aromatic and heteroaromatic rings using photoirradiation.

Base Mediated Diazirination via Iodine(III) Reagents

Herein, we described an efficient method for the construction of highly functionalized diazirines from the carbohydrazide and diazo-substituted hypervalent iodine reagents. Unambiguous transformation has been designed with user applicable and easy practicable conditions. Remarkably, d-glucose, menthol, aspirin, proline, and lithocholic acid were efficiently diazirinated. Furthermore, the method is mild, robust, and highly selective, which successfully converted a variety of aryl, alkyl, benzyl, and heterocyclic hydrazides into the corresponding diazirine derivatives.

Synthesis of Visible-Light-Activated Hypervalent Iodine and Photo-oxidation under Visible Light Irradiation via a Direct S0→Tn Transition

Heavy atom-containing molecules cause a photoreaction by a direct S₀ → T_n transition. Therefore, even in a hypervalent iodine compound with a benzene ring as the main skeleton, the photoreaction proceeds under 365-400 nm wavelength light, where UV-visible spectra are not observed by usual measurement method. Some studies, however, report hypervalent iodine compounds that strongly absorb visible light. Herein, we report the synthesis of two visible light-absorbing hypervalent iodines and their photooxidation properties under visible light irradiation. We also demonstrated that the S₀ → T_n transition causes the photoreaction to proceed under wavelengths in the blue and green light region.

Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents with Transferable Primary Amines: Structure and Reactivity on the Electrophilic α-Amination of Stabilized Enolates

A new family of hypervalent iodine reagents containing transferable primary amine groups is described. Benziodoxolone-based reagents were synthesized on the gram-scale through operationally simple reactions in up to quantitative yields. These bench-stable solids were characterized by X-ray analysis and successfully employed in the α-amination of indanone-based β-ketoesters in up to 83% yield. Mechanistic studies indicate a substitution mechanism involving an electrophilic amine.

A combined experimental and theoretical study on the reactivity of nitrenes and nitrene radical anions

Nitrene transfer reactions represent one of the key reactions to rapidly construct new carbon-nitrogen bonds and typically require transition metal catalysts to control the reactivity of the pivotal nitrene intermediate. Herein, we report on the application of iminoiodinanes in amination reactions under visible light photochemical conditions. While a triplet nitrene can be accessed under catalyst-free conditions, the use of a suitable photosensitizer allows the access of a nitrene radical anion. Computational and mechanistic studies rationalize the access and reactivity of triplet nitrene and nitrene radical anion and allow the direct comparison of both amination reagents. We conclude with applications of both reagents in organic synthesis and showcase their reactivity in the reaction with olefins, which underline their markedly distinct reactivity. Both reagents can be accessed under mild reaction conditions at room temperature without the necessity to exclude moisture or air, which renders these metal-free, photochemical amination reactions highly practical.

Gaining in-depth understanding of photochemical processes is key for developing more sustainable and efficient chemical transformations. Here the authors show that under visible light photochemical conditions, iminoiodinanes undergo formation of triplet nitrenes or nitrene radical anions, depending on the use of a photosensitizer; These reagents are studied in amination reactions with olefins.

Synthesis and Properties of ortho-t-BuSO2C6H4-Substituted Iodonium Ylides

Iodonium ylides have recently attracted much attention on account of their synthetic applications. However, only a limited number of reports concerning the properties and reactivity of iodonium ylides exist, which is partly due to their instability. In this study, we synthesized several iodonium ylides that bear both an electron-withdrawing group and an aromatic ring with an ortho-t-BuSO2 group. Based on the crystal structures of the synthesized iodonium ylides in combination with natural-bond-orbital (NBO) calculations, we estimated the strength of the intra- and intermolecular halogen-bonding interactions. In addition, we investigated the reactivity of the iodonium ylides under photoirradiation.

A bench-stable N-trifluoroacetyl nitrene equivalent for a simple synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl oxazoles

ortho-Nitro-substituted N-trifluoroacetyl imino-λ³-iodane is a bench-stable trifluoroacetyl nitrene precursor, in which intra- and intermolecular halogen bonding (XB) plays an important role. Potential synthetic applications of this novel precursor were explored.

RuV -Acylimido Intermediate in [RuIV (Por)Cl2 ]-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation: Spectroscopic Characterization, Reactivity, and Catalytic Reactions

Metal-catalyzed C-N bond formation reactions via acylnitrene transfer have recently attracted much attention, but direct detection of the proposed acylnitrenoid/acylimido M(NCOR) (R=aryl or alkyl) species in these reactions poses a formidable challenge. Herein, we report on Ru(NCOR) intermediates in C-N bond formation catalyzed by [Ru^IV (Por)Cl₂ ]/N₃ COR, a catalytic method applicable to aziridine/oxazoline formation from alkenes, amination of substituted indoles, α-amino ketone formation from silyl enol ethers, amination of C(sp³ )-H bonds, and functionalization of natural products and carbohydrate derivatives (up to 99 % yield). Experimental studies, including HR-ESI-MS and EPR measurements, coupled with DFT calculations, lend evidence for the formulation of the Ru(NCOR) acylnitrenoids as a Ru^V -imido species.

A Dicopper Nitrenoid by Oxidation of a CuICuI Core: Synthesis, Electronic Structure, and Reactivity

A dicopper nitrenoid complex was prepared by formal oxidative addition of the nitrenoid fragment to a dicopper(I) center by reaction with the iminoiodinane PhINTs (Ts = tosylate). This nitrenoid complex, (DPFN)Cu₂(μ-NTs)[NTf₂]₂ (DPFN = 2,7-bis(fluorodi(2-pyridyl)methyl)-1,8-naphthyridine), is a powerful H atom abstractor that reacts with a range of strong C-H bonds to form a mixed-valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) μ-NHTs amido complex in the first example of a clean H atom transfer to a dicopper nitrenoid core. In line with this reactivity, DFT calculations reveal that the nitrenoid is best described as an iminyl (NR radical anion) complex. The nitrenoid was trapped by the addition of water to form a mixed-donor hydroxo/amido dicopper(II) complex, which was independently obtained by reaction of a Cu₂(μ-OH)₂ complex with an amine through a protonolysis pathway. This mixed-donor complex is an analogue for the proposed intermediate in copper-catalyzed Chan-Evans-Lam coupling, which proceeds via C-X (X = N or O) bond formation. Treatment of the dicopper(II) mixed donor complex with MgPh₂(THF)₂ resulted in generation of a mixture that includes both phenol and a previously reported dicopper(I) bridging phenyl complex, illustrating that both reduction of dicopper(II) to dicopper(I) and concomitant C-X bond formation are feasible.

β-Diazocarbonyl Compounds: Synthesis and their Rh(II)-Catalyzed 1,3 C-H Insertions

Herein, we describe the first electrophilic diazomethylation of ketone silyl enol ethers with diazomethyl-substituted hypervalent iodine reagents that gives access to unusual β-diazocarbonyl compounds. The potential of this unexplored class of diazo compounds for the development of new reactions was demonstrated by the discovery of a rare Rh-catalyzed intramolecular 1,3 C-H carbene insertion that led to complex cyclopropanes with excellent stereocontrol.

Self-Catalyzed Rapid Synthesis of N-Acylated/N-Formylated α-Aminoketones and N-Hydroxymethylated Formamides from 3-Aryl-2H-Azirines and 2-Me/Ph-3-Aryl-2H-Azirines

A rapid and effective method has been established for the synthesis of N-acylated α-aminoketone derivatives by the reaction of 3-aryl-2H-azirines and highly substituted 2-Me/Ph-3-aryl-2H-azirines with various carboxylic acids under ambient air within 10 min at room temperature. N-Trifluoroacetylated α-aminoketones with different substituents have been reported in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. This protocol is equally effective to synthesize N-formylated α-aminoketone and N-hydroxymethylated formamide derivatives.

A Direct S0 →Tn Transition in the Photoreaction of Heavy-Atom-Containing Molecules

According to the Grotthuss-Draper law, light must be absorbed by a substrate to initiate a photoreaction. There have been several reports, however, on the promotion of photoreactions using hypervalent iodine during irradiation with light from a non-absorbing region. This contradiction gave rise to a mystery regarding photoreactions involving hypervalent iodine. We demonstrated that the photoactivation of hypervalent iodine with light from the apparently non-absorbing region proceeds via a direct S₀ →T_n transition, which has been considered a forbidden process. Spectroscopic, computational, and synthetic experimental results support this conclusion. Moreover, the photoactivation mode could be extended to monovalent iodine and bromine, as well as bismuth(III)-containing molecules, providing new possibilities for studying photoreactions that involve heavy-atom-containing molecules.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Enantioenriched 6-Hydroxyl Butyrolactams Promoted by N-Heterocyclic Carbene

Herein, an efficient route to synthesize 6-hydroxyl butyrolactams has been successfully developed via an N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] annulation of bromoenals with α-amino ketones, followed by reduction. Remarkably, enantioenriched epi-neoclausenamide, which is one of the clausenamide derivatives, could be efficiently prepared by this strategy.

A Practical Aryliodine(I/III) Catalysis for the Vicinal Diamination of Styrenes

2,6-Disubstituted iodoarenes bearing amide-functionalized side arms are reported as new structures in redox-active iodine(I/III) catalysis. In combination with bis-sulfonimides as nitrogen sources and 3-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) as benign terminal oxidant they catalyze the vicinal diamination of styrenes. The obtained reactivity and selectivity outperform other iodoarene catalyst candidates. This protocol provides a sustainable alternative to previous related protocols for diamination that are based on stoichiometric iodine(III) reagents.

Aza-Rubottom Oxidation: Synthetic Access to Primary α-Aminoketones

An aza analogue of the Rubottom oxidation is reported. This facile transformation takes place at ambient temperature and directly converts silyl enol ethers to the corresponding primary α-aminoketones. The use of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as the solvent is essential for the success of this reaction. Overall this process is well-suited for the aza-functionalization and derivatization of complex organic molecules.

Photo-Induced Aziridination of Alkenes with N-Sulfonyliminoiodinanes

Activation of N-sulfonyliminiodinanes was achieved by photo-irradiation at 375 nm, which enabled the reaction with several alkenes to afford the corresponding aziridines. Mechanistic studies suggested that the reaction would proceed through a stepwise mechanism via radical intermediates rather than through a concerted process.