Photocatalytic Isomerization of Styrenyl Halides: Stereodivergent Synthesis of Functionalized Alkenes

Kinetic Resolution of N-Allylic Pyrazoles via Photoexcited Chiral Copper Complex-Catalyzed Alkene E → Z Isomerization

Herein, we present an efficient and practical kinetic resolution (KR) of racemic allylic pyrazoles utilizing photoexcited chiral-copper-complex-mediated alkene E → Z isomerization. This method enables the synthesis of both enantioenriched E- and Z-allylic pyrazoles, achieving enantiomeric excesses (e.e.) of up to 97% and selectivity factors (S factors) as high as 217. Remarkably, the method's ability to furnish allylic pyrazoles with the Z-configuration, which is notably arduous to obtain under thermodynamic control, underscores the transformative potential of this synthetic protocol.

Nickel-Photoredox-Catalyzed Stereoconvergent Coupling of Alkenyl Halides and Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles possessing N-alkenyl substituents are an important structural motif. However, the synthetic methods reported thus far cannot selectively synthesize the Z stereoisomer on the basis of the stereochemistry of the substituted alkenes. Herein, we report the stereoconvergent coupling of heterocycles and alkenyl halides consisting of a mixture of E/Z stereoisomers, which selectively afforded the thermodynamically less stable Z-coupling product. Mechanistic studies suggest that a nickel photoredox catalyst facilitates the formation of N-centered heteroarene radicals.

Diastereodivergent α-Homoallylation of Cyclic Enones

α,β-Unsaturated carbonyls are essential structural motifs for nucleophiles of disease-related proteins. Methods for stereoselective functionalizations at the α-position include the Morita-Baylis-Hillman, Negishi, Sonogashira, Stille, and Rauhut-Currier reactions. Described here is a method for the diastereodivergent α-homoallylation of cyclic enones via a sequence of conjugate addition, aldol condensation, and diastereoselective [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement proceeds with transfer of chirality. These inspire a photocatalyzed olefin isomerization of the aldol condensation product leading to a highly diastereoselective [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to furnish the α-homoallylation of cyclic enones. Importantly, this photocatalyzed olefin isomerization/diastereoselective [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reaction sequence permits a full stereocontrol of the exo-β-position featuring an allyl group as a synthetic functional handle.

Probing the Visible Light-Driven Geometrical Isomerization of 4-Arylbut-3-ene-2-amines

A series of thirteen 4-arylbut-3-ene-2-amines were prepared and subjected to photosensitization experiments to interrogate their photostationary state (PS) composition of geometrical olefin isomers (E and Z). The amine PS compositions were found to depend on arene structure and temperature, while being largely independent of nitrogen substitution, solvent, or presence of triplet-quenching oxygen. Photonic efficiency of isomerization (ζp) was found to depend on amine structure, solvent choice, and presence of quencher. With the proper choice of conditions, ζp was able to closely approach the theoretical maximum value of 0.5.

A Photochemoenzymatic Hunsdiecker-Borodin-Type Halodecarboxylation of Ferulic Acid

A photochemoenzymatic halodecarboxylation of ferulic acid was achieved using vanadate-dependent chloroperoxidase as (bio)catalyst and oxygen and organic solvent as sole stoichiometric reagents in a biphasic system. Performance and selectivity were improved through a phase transfer catalyst, reaching a turnover number of 660.000 for the enzyme.

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 CH3 CN 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.

Photoexcited Chiral Copper Complex-Mediated Alkene E → Z Isomerization Enables Kinetic Resolution

While asymmetric synthesis has been established as a powerful synthetic tool for the construction of versatile enantioenriched molecules in the most efficient and practical manner, the resolution of racemates is still the most universal industrial approach to the synthesis of chiral compounds. However, the direct formation of enantiopure Z-isomers through the catalytic nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of racemic E-alkenes remains challenging. Herein, we disclose an unprecedented enantioselective E → Z isomerization mediated by a photoexcited chiral copper complex. This catalytic system enables kinetic resolution of 2-styrylpyrrolidines. This process is difficult to realize under thermal conditions. Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that different overall sensitization rates of the substrate-catalyst complex of the two enantiomers led to the observed excellent kinetic resolution efficiency. This photochemical transformation expands the potential of kinetic resolution beyond their established ground-state reactivity, furnishing a novel reaction mode for enantioselective catalysis at its excited state.

Visible light photocatalytic one pot synthesis of Z-arylvinyl halides from E-arylvinyl acids with N-halosuccinimide

An efficient visible light photocatalytic strategy to synthesize thermodynamically less stable Z-arylvinyl halides (with up to >99/1 Z/E ratio and 86% yield) was developed. The reaction combined base-mediated halodecarboxylation of E-arylvinyl acids with N-halosuccinimide and visible light Ir-photocatalyzed isomerization of E-arylvinyl halides in a one pot sequential catalytic process.

Merging Grubbs second-generation catalyst with photocatalysis enables Z-selective metathesis of olefins: scope, limitations, and mechanism

Olefin cross-metathesis is a cornerstone reaction in organic synthesis where stereoselectivity is typically governed by the structure of the catalyst. In this work, we show that merging Grubbs second generation catalyst, a classical E-selective catalyst, with a readily available photocatalyst, enables the exclusive formation of the contra-thermodynamic Z-isomer. The scope and limitations of this unprecedented approach are discussed based on both computational and experimental mechanistic data.

Light is magic! The combination of Grubbs second generation catalyst, a well-known catalyst for E-selective olefin metathesis, with a photosensitizer enables efficient access to the contra-thermodynamic Z-isomers.

Photocatalyzed E→Z Contra-thermodynamic Isomerization of Vinyl Boronates with Binaphthol

The photocatalytic contra-thermodynamic E→Z isomerization of vinyl boronates by using a binaphthol catalyst is disclosed. The reaction, based on the transient formation of a suitable chromophore with a BINOL derivative as the catalyst, allowed geometrical isomerization in good-to-excellent Z/E ratio and excellent-to-quantitative yields. The mechanism of this E→Z contra-thermodynamic isomerization was studied, and the formation of a transient chromophore species is suggested.

Advances in the E → Z Isomerization of Alkenes Using Small Molecule Photocatalysts

Geometrical E → Z alkene isomerization is intimately entwined in the historical fabric of organic photochemistry and is enjoying a renaissance (Roth et al. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1989 28, 1193-1207). This is a consequence of the fundamental stereochemical importance of Z-alkenes, juxtaposed with frustrations in thermal reactivity that are rooted in microscopic reversibility. Accessing excited state reactivity paradigms allow this latter obstacle to be circumnavigated by exploiting subtle differences in the photophysical behavior of the substrate and product chromophores: this provides a molecular basis for directionality. While direct irradiation is operationally simple, photosensitization via selective energy transfer enables augmentation of the alkene repertoire to include substrates that are not directly excited by photons. Through sustained innovation, an impressive portfolio of tailored small molecule catalysts with a range of triplet energies are now widely available to facilitate contra-thermodynamic and thermo-neutral isomerization reactions to generate Z-alkene fragments. This review is intended to serve as a practical guide covering the geometric isomerization of alkenes enabled by energy transfer catalysis from 2000 to 2020, and as a logical sequel to the excellent treatment by Dugave and Demange (Chem. Rev. 2003 103, 2475-2532). The mechanistic foundations underpinning isomerization selectivity are discussed together with induction models and rationales to explain the counterintuitive directionality of these processes in which very small energy differences distinguish substrate from product. Implications for subsequent stereospecific transformations, application in total synthesis, regioselective polyene isomerization, and spatiotemporal control of pre-existing alkene configuration in a broader sense are discussed.

Illuminating anti-hydrozirconation: controlled geometric isomerization of an organometallic species

A general strategy to enable the formal anti-hydrozirconation of arylacetylenes is reported that merges cis-hydrometallation using the Schwartz Reagent (Cp₂ZrHCl) with a subsequent light-mediated geometric isomerization at λ = 400 nm. Mechanistic delineation of the contra-thermodynamic isomerization step indicates that a minor reaction product functions as an efficient in situ generated photocatalyst. Coupling of the E-vinyl zirconium species with an alkyne unit generates a conjugated diene: this has been leveraged as a selective energy transfer catalyst to enable E → Z isomerization of an organometallic species. Through an Umpolung metal-halogen exchange process (Cl, Br, I), synthetically useful vinyl halides can be generated (up to Z : E = 90 : 10). This enabling platform provides a strategy to access nucleophilic and electrophilic alkene fragments in both geometric forms from simple arylacetylenes.

Radical 1,2-addition of bromoarenes to alkynes via dual photoredox and nickel catalysis

A 1,2-addition of aryl bromides to alkynes enabled by the photocatalytic generation of bromine radicals via photoredox and nickel catalysis is reported.