Photocatalytic Sulfonylcarbocyclization of Alkynes Using SEt as a Traceless Directing Group: Access to Cyclopentenes and Indenes

Recent advances of 5-endo-trig radical cyclization: promoting strategies and applications

5-endo-trig radical cyclization has long been recognized as one of the most straightforward ways for the construction of densely functionalized five-membered rings. Nevertheless, according to Baldwin's rules, the 5-endo-trig radical cyclization is kinetically disfavored due to stereoelectronic effects and thus usually proceeds via a slow rate, which renders its application a challenging task. In recent years, with the emergence of efficient radical generation methods and effective cyclization strategies, 5-endo-trig radical cyclization has been successfully accelerated to a synthetically useful rate and has been utilized in the access of diverse five-membered carbo- and heterocyclic compounds. This review comprehensively summarizes the methodologies involving the 5-endo-trig radical cyclization process, with particular emphasis on the elucidation of the promoting strategies, which include the polar effect, geometrical constraints, spin delocalization effect, and persistent radical effect. Each of these strategies is discussed in detail, with illustrative examples from recent literature studies to highlight their practical applications and effectiveness. It is anticipated that the in-depth understanding of the 5-endo-trig radical cyclization provided by this review would inspire further innovation of this privileged reaction mode and expand its applications. Moreover, the potent ring-closure-promoting strategies revealed herein would also contribute to achieving other challenges of cyclizations with particular significance for organic synthesis.

Photocatalyzed Cascade Hydrogen Atom Transfers for Assembly of Multi-Substituted α-SCF3 and α-SCF2H Cyclopentanones

A photocatalyzed formal (3+2) cycloaddition has been developed to construct original polysubstituted α-SCF3 cyclopentanones in a regio- and diastereoselective manner. This building block approach leverages trifluoromethylthio alkynes and branched/linear aldehydes, as readily available reaction partners, in consecutive hydrogen atom transfers and C-C bond formations. Difluoromethylthio alkynes are also compatible substrates. Furthermore, the potential for telescoped reaction starting from alcohols instead of aldehydes was demonstrated, as well as process automatization and scale-up under continuous microflow conditions. This prompted density functional theory (DFT) calculations to support a radical-mediated cascade process.

Fluorine-Effect-Enabled Photocatalytic 4-Exo-Trig Cyclization Cascade to Access Fluoroalkylated Cyclobutanes

Cyclobutanes are popular structural units in bioactive compounds and versatile intermediates in synthetic chemistry, but their synthesis is challenging owing to high ring strain. In this study, a novel method for highly regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of fluoroalkylcyclobutanes bearing vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters is realized by a photocatalytic 4-exo-trig cyclization cascade of thioalkynes or trifluoromethylalkenes. Density functional theory calculations reveal that a unique fluorine effect, arising from hyperconjugative π→σ*C-F interactions, accounts for the regio-reversed radical addition at the sterically hindered alkene carbon, which facilitates an unprecedented 4-exo-trig ring closure. This chemistry enables the direct and controllable construction of medicinally valuable quaternary-carbon-containing cyclobutanes from readily available raw materials, nicely complementing the existing methods.

Tetrafluoroisopropylation of alkenes and alkynes enabled by photocatalytic consecutive difluoromethylation with CF2HSO2Na

Direct assembly of complex fluorinated motifs from simple fluorine sources is an attractive frontier of synthetic chemistry. Reported herein is an unconventional protocol for achieving tetrafluoroisopropylation by using commercially available CF2HSO2Na as a convenient source of the tetrafluoroisopropyl [(CF2H)2CH] group, which finds widespread applications in life science and material science. Visible-light-induced hydrotetrafluoroisopropylation of alkenes and carbotetrafluoroisopropylation of alkynes have been thus developed. Various structurally diverse α-tetrafluoroisopropyl carbonyls and cyclopentanones are selectively constructed under mild conditions. A photocatalytic triple difluoromethylation cascade, driven by consecutive reductive radical/polar crossover processes, leads to the direct assembly of a tetrafluoroisopropyl moiety from CF2HSO2Na. This C1-to-C3 fluoroalkylation protocol provides a practical strategy for the rapid construction of polyfluorinated compounds that are otherwise difficult to access, thus significantly enhancing the boundary of fluoroalkylation chemistry.

Controllable Synthesis of Cyclopenta[b]indolines via Photocatalytic Fluoroalkylative Radical Cyclization Cascade of Ynamides

A de novo method for direct construction of cyclopenta[b]indolines via a photocatalytic fluoroalkylative radical cyclization cascade of ynamides has been established, which proceeds via a sequence of radical addition, 1,5-HAT, 5-endo-trig cyclization, intramolecular arylation, and oxidative deprotonation. This protocol allows for the controllable assembly of a tricyclic architecture with three contiguous stereocenters, showcasing its high efficiency, compatibility, and regio- and diastereoselectivity for accessing pharmacologically significant fluoroalkylated cyclopenta[b]indolines. It represents one of the very few examples of tetrafunctionalization of alkynes.

Iron-Mediated Hydrogen Atom Transfer Radical Cyclization of Alkenyl Indoles and Pyrroles Gives Their Fused Derivatives: Total Synthesis of Bruceolline E and H

The iron-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction is efficaciously employed for the synthesis of dihydropyrroloindoles and dihydropyrrolizines via 5-exo-trig radical cyclization where indoles and pyrroles are used as an acceptor. This radical approach has also been extended for the synthesis of tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indolones via the Baldwin-disfavored 5-endo-trig cyclization pathway. The formal synthesis of bruceolline J and the total synthesis of bruceollines E and H have been expeditiously carried out by employing the former strategy.

Recent Advances in the Catalytic Synthesis of the Cyclopentene Core

Five-membered carbocycles are ubiquitously found in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and other classes of organic compounds. Within this category, cyclopentenes deserve special attention due to their prevalence as targets and as well as key intermediates for synthesizing more complex molecules. Herein, we offer an overview summarizing some significant recent advances in the catalytic assembly of this structural motif. A great variety of synthetic methodologies and strategies are covered, including transition metal-catalyzed or organocatalyzed processes. Both inter- and intramolecular transformations are documented. On this ground, our expertise in the application of C-H functionalization reactions oriented towards the formation of this ring and its subsequent selective functionalization is embedded.

Synthesis of Sulfur-Containing Oxindoles by Photoinduced Alkene Difunctionalization via Sulfur 1,2-Relocation

Organosulfur compounds are prevalent in various natural products, which have been widely applied in agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Herein, a new approach for the efficient construction of sulfur-containing oxindoles by photoinduced alkene difunctionalization via sulfur 1,2-relocation is developed. The method exhibited a high functional group tolerance and broad substrate compatibility. A library of sulfur-containing oxindole derivatives were synthesized under mild conditions (metal-, photocatalyst-, and additive-free). Mechanistic investigations revealed this photochemical process was triggered by the formation of an EDA complex of oxindole enolates with a redox-active ester, and the in situ generation of alkenes from the C-S bond cleavage of β-sulfanyl radicals was a key step in this transformation.

Stereoconvergent Direct Ring Expansion of Cyclopropyl Ketones to Cyclopentanones

Recyclization of the ring-opening species of alkyl cyclopropyl ketones to cyclopentanones, which proceeds through an unfavored 5-endo-trig cyclization predicted by Baldwin's rules, is elusive. Herein, as assisted by a strong aryl donor and the Thorpe-Ingold strain on a quaternary cyclopropyl center, stereoconvergent direct ring expansion of cyclopropyl ketones to cyclopentanones promoted by TfOH or BF₃·Et₂O is described, providing a modular construction of polysubstituted cyclopentanones from aldehydes, alkyl methyl ketones, and α-keto esters within three steps.

A Traceless Heterocyclic Amine Mediator in Regioselectivity-Switchable Formal [1 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction to 1,3,4- and 1,4,5-Trisubstituted Pyrazoles

Switchable multicomponent reactions have been attractive tools for the construction of compound libraries with skeleton diversity and complexity by slightly changing the reaction conditions. Described herein is a regioselectivity-switchable formal [1 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction from difluoroalkyl compounds, enaminones, and RNHNH₂, ultimately using 1-methylindazol-3-amine as a traceless mediator to switch the inherent regioselectivity of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrazole formation to 1,4,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles. Remarkable features of this work include mild conditions, simple operation, and broad scopes.

Visible-Light-Catalyzed Tandem Radical Addition/1,5-Hydrogen Atom Transfer/Cyclization of 2-Alkynylarylethers with Sulfonyl Chlorides

A novel visible-light-catalyzed tandem radical addition/1,5-hydrogen atom transfer/cyclization cascade of 2-alkynylarylethers with sulfonyl chlorides in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran was developed under photocatalyst- and additive-free conditions. This reaction relies on unique energy transfer and solvent-radical relay strategies to generate sulfonyl radicals for the preparation of a series of sulfonyl-functionalized dihydrobenzofurans in moderate to high yields catalyzed by visible light or solar radiation.

Radical Chain Isomerization of N-Sulfonyl Ynamides to Ketenimines and Its Application to Furan Dearomatization

A radical chain isomerization of N-sulfonyl ynamides to isolable ketenimines is developed, featuring mild reaction conditions, a high efficiency, ∼100% atom economy, a broad substrate scope, and column chromatography-free workup in most cases. Meanwhile, an unprecedented dearomatization of furans is achieved by the radical chain isomerization-triggered aza-Claisen rearrangement, providing highly chemo-, regio-, stereo-, and diastereoselective access to functionalized quaternary nitriles.