Formation of cyclopenta[c]quinolines through visible-light-induced photoredox cascade bis-annulations of 1,7-enynes with sulfoxonium ylides

A novel visible-light-driven photoredox-catalyzed cascade bicyclization of 1,7-enynes with aqueous sulfoxonium ylides is reported. The reaction is highly chemoselective with three new C-C bonds, two new rings, and an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter constructed in a one-pot fashion. This mild protocol features a remarkably broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance, providing a general and practical approach to access various cyclopenta[c]quinolines.

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.

P/N-heteroleptic Cu(I)-photosensitizer-catalyzed domino radical relay annulation of 1,6-enynes with aryldiazonium salts

A visible-light driven photocatalytic construction of benzo[b]fluorenones from 1,6-enynes and aryldiazonium salts has been achieved via a P/N-heteroleptic Cu(I)-photosensitizer-catalyzed domino radical relay annulation process. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that the aryl radicals in situ generated from aryldiazonium salts with the excited state of the Cu(I)-photosensitizer played a dual role of a radical initiator and a radical terminator in the concise construction of the highly fused benzo[b]fluorenone scaffold.

Approach to Access Benzo[j]phenanthridinones from 1,7-Enynes and Aryldiazonium Salts via a Domino Radical Relay Process Enabled by a P/N-Heteroleptic Cu(I)-Photosensitizer

A mild approach for the synthesis of benzo[j]phenanthridin-6(5H)-one derivatives from 1,7-enynes and aryldiazonium salts has been successfully developed involving a domino radical relay process enabled by a heteroleptic Cu(I)-photosensitizer under visible-light-driven photocatalytic conditions. Mechanistic studies disclosed that the oxidative quenching of the excited state of PS 4 with aryldiazonium salts via an SET process generated aryl radicals, which could play a radical initiator-terminator dual role within the whole radical relay process, namely, at the initial step acting as a radical donor to trigger the radical addition to the olefin moieties of 1,7-enynes while at the final stage serving as a radical acceptor to complete the cyclization.

Radical annulation using a radical reagent as a two-carbon unit

Radical annulation has emerged as one of the most efficient and straightforward methods for synthesizing cyclic/polycyclic compounds as the core structures can be constructed through a single procedure comprising multiple bond-forming steps. Particularly, radical annulation using a radical reagent as a cyclization partner and two-carbon unit greatly expands the diversity of cyclic skeletons and the functionality of radical reagents. We herein have highlighted the representative processes reported in the past decade for radical annulation using a radical reagent as a two-carbon unit, including [2 + 2 + 2], [3 + 2], [4 + 2], and [5 + 2] modes, with an emphasis on their reaction mechanisms. These studies not only pave the way toward annulation but also provide insight into the exploration of a new reaction mode for radical chemistry.

C-centered radical-initiated cyclization by directed C(sp3)–H oxidative functionalization

C(sp3)–H functionalization is attracting constant attention. This review emphasizes C-centered radicals initiated cyclization strategies by directed C(sp3)–H oxidative functionalization since 2012.

Sulfonyl radical triggered selective iodosulfonylation and bicyclization of 1,6-dienes

A novel sulfonyl radical triggered selective iodosulfonylation and bicyclization of 1,6-dienes has been described for the first time. High selectivity and efficiency, mild reaction conditions, excellent functional group compatibility, and broad substrate scope are the attractive features of this synthetic protocol, which provides a unique platform for precise radical cyclization.

Visible-Light-Mediated [2+2+1] Carbocyclization Reactions of 1,7-Enynes with Bromofluoroacetate to Form Fused Monofluorinated Cyclopenta[c]quinolin-4-ones

Herein, we describe a new protocol for photoinduced radical [2+2+1] carbocyclization reactions of 1,7-enynes with bromofluoroacetate. These reactions, which proceed via a cascade involving fluoroalkylation, 6-exo-dig and 5-endo-trig cyclizations, H-transfer step, and oxidative dehydrogenation, provide an efficient and general route to a variety of fused monofluorinated cyclopenta[c]quinolin-4-one derivatives.

Tandem Anionic oxy-Cope Rearrangement/Oxygenation Reactions as a Versatile Method for Approaching Diverse Scaffolds

Tandem anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement/radical oxygenation reactions provide δ,ϵ-unsaturated α-(aminoxy) carbonyl compounds, which serve as convenient precursors to diverse compound classes. Functionalized carbocycles are accessible by very rare all-carbon 5-endo-trig cyclizations, but also common 5-exo-trig radical cyclizations, based on the persistent radical effect. The tandem reactions can be further extended by highly diastereoselective allylation or reduction steps to give complex scaffolds.

Recent developments in 1,6-addition reactions of para-quinone methides (p-QMs)

In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in this rapidly growing field by summarizing the 1,6-conjugate addition and annulation reactions of p-QMs with consideration of their mechanisms and applications.

Radical-mediated oxidative annulations of 1,n-enynes involving C–H functionalization

Recent progress in oxidative annulations of 1,n-enynes involving C–H functionalization is summarized.

Metal-Free Radical [2 + 2 + 1] Cyclization of ortho-Cyanoarylacrylamides with Alkyl Nitriles: Synthesis of Pyrrolo[3,2- c]quinolines

A novel radical [2 + 2 + 1] cyclization of ortho-cyanoarylacrylamides with dual α-C-H bonds in alkyl nitriles has been developed. The reaction provides new facile and straightforward access to cyano-substituted pyrrolo[3,2- c]quinolines, which are important nitrogen-containing polyheterocycles. A possible mechanism for the transformation is proposed.

Photocatalytic decarboxylative [2 + 2 + 1] annulation of 1,6-enynes with N-hydroxyphthalimide esters for the synthesis of indene-containing polycyclic compounds

An efficient photoredox-mediated [2 + 2 + 1] annulation of 1,6-enynes with N-hydroxyphthalimide esters was reported for the synthesis of spiro and non-spiro indene-containing polycyclic frameworks.

Oxidative tandem annulation of 1-(2-ethynylaryl)prop-2-en-1-ones catalyzed by cooperative iodine and TBHP

Metal-free I₂-catalyzed tandem annulation of 1,6-enynes to access 1H-cyclopropa-[b]naphthalene-2,7-diones using TBHP is presented.

Metal-free oxidative [2+2+1] heteroannulation of 1,7-enynes with thiocyanates toward thieno[3,4-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones

A new metal-free oxidative [2+2+1] heteroannulation of 1,7-enynes with thiocyanates for producing thieno[3,4-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones is presented. This reaction employs benzoylperoxide (BPO) as the oxidant and sodium thiocyanate as the sulfur source to enable the formation of three chemical bonds, two C-S bonds and one C-C bond, in a single reaction, and represents a new, practical access to S-heterocycles with the avoidance of the use of metal catalysts and excess bases.

Double SO2 Insertion into 1,7-Diynes Leading to Functionalized Naphtho[1,2-c]thiophene 2,2-dioxides

A novel metal-free double SO₂ insertion/multicomponent bicyclization cascade of benzene-linked 1,7-diynes has been established by treatment with aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates and DABCO-bis(sulfur dioxide) under redox-neutral conditions, providing a range of dual sulfone-containing naphtho[1,2-c]thiophene 2,2-dioxides with generally high stereoselectivity. The reaction pathway is proposed to proceed through the sequence of arylsulfonyl-radical-induced 6-exo-dig/5-endo-trig bicyclization, H-abstraction, and diazotization.

Visible-light-induced methylsulfonylation/bicyclization of C(sp3)-tethered 1,7-enynes using a DMSO/H2O system

A visible light photocatalytic methylsulfonylation/bicyclization of C(sp³)-tethered 1,7-enynes has been established using a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/H₂O system as the methylsulfonyl source.

Recent advances in radical transformations of internal alkynes

This review highlights the recent progress in the radical transformation of internal alkynes and focuses on the reaction mechanisms by carbon/heteroatom-centered triggered additions, and offers a comprehensive overview on the existing procedures and employed methodologies.

Palladium-catalyzed dearomatizative [2 + 2 + 1] carboannulation of 1,7-enynes with aryl diazonium salts and H2O: facile synthesis of spirocyclohexadienone-fused cyclopenta[c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones

The first 1,7-enyne dearomatizative [2 + 2 + 1] carboannulation using aryl diazonium salts as the one-carbon units is described.

Facile synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes via metal-free radical-triggered intramolecular C–S bond formation

A facile method for the synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes with good to excellent yields via metal-free intramolecular C–S bond formation has been developed by utilizing I₂ as a catalyst and O₂ from air as an oxidant (20 examples).