Recent Progress Regarding Regio-, Site-, and Stereoselective Formation of Oxetanes in Paternò-Büchi Reactions

Photochemical Skeletal Editing of Pyridines to Bicyclic Pyrazolines and Pyrazoles

We present an efficient one-pot photochemical skeletal editing protocol for the transformation of pyridines into diverse bicyclic pyrazolines and pyrazoles under mild conditions. The method requires no metals, photocatalysts, or additives and allows for the selective removal of specific carbon atoms from pyridines, allowing for unprecedented versatility. Our approach offers a convenient and efficient means for the late-stage modification of complex drug molecules by replacing the core pyridine skeleton. Moreover, we have successfully scaled up this procedure in stop-flow and flow-chemistry systems, showcasing its applicability to intricate transformations such as the Diels-Alder reaction, hydrogenation, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, and Heck reaction. Through control experiments and DFT calculations, we provide insights into the mechanistic underpinnings of this skeletal editing protocol.

Visible-Light-Induced Regioselective Functionalization of α-Olefin: Development of One-Pot Photo-Synthesis of C3-Substituted Dihydrobenzofurans

A method for the catalytic regioselective synthesis of C₃-substituted dihydrobenzofurans (DHBs) via [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of alkene and p-benzoquinone is developed. This method realizes the rapid synthesis of DHBs with readily available substrates and simple reaction conditions by using Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ and Lewis base P(o-tol)₃ as a catalyst in combination with the classical Paternò-Büchi reaction.

Direct Excitation of Aldehyde to Activate the C(sp2 )-H Bond by Cobaloxime Catalysis toward Fluorenones Synthesis with Hydrogen Evolution

A new way to form fluorenones via the direct excitation of substrates instead of photocatalyst to activate the C(sp² )-H bond under redox-neutral condition is reported. Our design relies on the photoexcited aromatic aldehyde intermediates that can be intercepted by cobaloxime catalyst through single electron transfer for following β-H elimination. The generation of acyl radical and successful interception by a metal catalyst cobaloxime avoid the use of a photocatalyst and stoichiometric external oxidants, affording a series of highly substituted fluorenones, including six-membered ketones, such as xanthone and thioxanthone derivatives in good to excellent yields, and with hydrogen as the only byproduct. This catalytic system features a readily available metal catalyst, mild reaction conditions and broad substrate scope, in which sunlight reaction and scale-up experiments by continuous-flow approach make the new methodology sustainable and amenable for potentially operational procedures.

Photocatalytic Azetidine Synthesis by Aerobic Dehydrogenative [2 + 2] Cycloadditions of Amines with Alkenes

Photocatalytic dehydrogenative [2 + 2] cycloadditions between amines and alkenes were developed that allow for the stereoselective and high-yielding synthesis of functionalized azetidines. The oxidative formal Aza Paternò-Büchi reactions are induced by photoredox-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of dihydroquinoxalinones 1 as the amines, and in the presence of structurally diverse alkenes 3 intermolecular [2 + 2] cyclization to dihydro-1H-azeto[1,2-a]quinoxalin-3(4H)-ones 4 occurs. The utility of the method is illustrated by the selective conversion of amino acid derived dihydroquinoxalinones 1, including oxidation-prone lysine and tryptophan derivatives.

Formation of Tetrahydrothiophenes via a Thia-Paternò-Büchi-Initiated Domino Photochemical Reaction

We have established photochemical access to thietane or tetrahydrothiophene compounds from thiobenzophenone derivatives and acrylonitrile, wherein the product selectivity is controlled by a simple adjustment of the reagent concentration in solution. Small libraries of five-membered ring sulfur-containing compounds were prepared through a thia-Paternò-Büchi reaction, followed by a previously unknown regioselective photochemical ring enlargement reaction in a domino process or a stepwise fashion. A mechanism is proposed to rationalize this ring enlargement reaction via a carbene species provided from photoexcited thiocarbonyl compounds.

Oxetane Intermediate during a Direct Aldol Reaction: Stereoselective [5 + 1] Annulation Affording Tetralines

An oxetane intermediate during a direct aldol reaction was trapped with an internal aryl group to yield trans-tetraline products. The contribution of the oxetane intermediate was confirmed by ¹⁸O-isotope labeling experiments.

Visible-Light-Enabled Paternò-Büchi Reaction via Triplet Energy Transfer for the Synthesis of Oxetanes

One of the most efficient ways to synthesize oxetanes is the light-enabled [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of carbonyls and alkenes, referred to as the Paternò-Büchi reaction. The reaction conditions for this transformation typically require the use of high energy UV light to excite the carbonyl, limiting the applications, safety, and scalability. We herein report the development of a visible-light-mediated Paternò-Büchi reaction protocol that relies on triplet energy transfer from an iridium-based photocatalyst to the carbonyl substrates. This mode of activation is demonstrated for a variety of aryl glyoxylates and negates the need for both visible-light-absorbing carbonyl starting materials and UV light to enable access to a variety of functionalized oxetanes in up to 99% yield.

Oxetane-containing metabolites: origin, structures, and biological activities

Cyclobutanes containing one oxygen atom in a molecule are called oxetane-containing compounds (OCC). More than 600 different OCC are found in nature; they are produced by microorganisms, and also found in marine invertebrates and algae. The greatest number of them is found in plants belonging to the genus Taxus. Oxetanes are high-energy oxygen-containing non-aromatic heterocycles that are of great interest as new potential pharmacophores with a significant spectrum of biological activities. The biological activity of OCC that is produced by bacteria and Actinomycetes demonstrates antineoplastic, antiviral (arbovirus), and antifungal activity with confidence an angiogenesis stimulator, respiratory analeptic, and antiallergic activity dominate with confidence from 81 to 99%.

The Paternò–Büchi reaction – a comprehensive review

This review represents the most complete description of the scientific results obtained on a photochemical reaction described 110 years ago by an Italian scientist.

Palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction of haloalkynes with unactivated alkenes for assembly of functionalized oxetanes

A novel and efficient Pd-catalyzed intermolecular oxidative carboetherification of haloalkynes with unactivated alkenes for constructing functionalized oxetanes has been demonstrated.

Photochemical Approaches to Complex Chemotypes: Applications in Natural Product Synthesis

The use of photochemical transformations is a powerful strategy that allows for the formation of a high degree of molecular complexity from relatively simple building blocks in a single step. A central feature of all light-promoted transformations is the involvement of electronically excited states, generated upon absorption of photons. This produces transient reactive intermediates and significantly alters the reactivity of a chemical compound. The input of energy provided by light thus offers a means to produce strained and unique target compounds that cannot be assembled using thermal protocols. This review aims at highlighting photochemical transformations as a tool for rapidly accessing structurally and stereochemically diverse scaffolds. Synthetic designs based on photochemical transformations have the potential to afford complex polycyclic carbon skeletons with impressive efficiency, which are of high value in total synthesis.

Synthesis of diversely functionalised 2,2-disubstituted oxetanes: fragment motifs in new chemical space

Di-, tri- and tetra-substituted oxetane derivatives with combinations of ester, amide, nitrile, aryl, sulfone and phosphonate substituents are prepared as fragments or building blocks for drug discovery. The synthesis of these novel oxetane functional groups, in new chemical space, is achieved via rhodium-catalysed O-H insertion and C-C bond forming cyclisation.

Stereoselective synthesis of 2,3,4-highly substituted oxetanes by intramolecular C–C bond forming Michael addition

A wide variety of 2,3,3,4-tetrasubstituted oxetanes and 3-α,β-unsaturated ester substituted oxetanes were synthesized starting from vinylogous urethane derivatives.

Flow microreactor synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted oxetanes via 2-phenyloxetan-2-yl lithium

A mild and sustainable synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted oxetanes has been achieved through the use of a flow microreactor system. By controlling the residence time a highly unstable intermediate such as 2-phenyloxetan-2-yl lithium can be generated and trapped with various electrophiles affording in moderate to good yields 2-substituted-2-phenyloxetanes at higher temperatures with respect to macrobatch-mode where –78 °C is required.

Contrasting Behaviour of Exciplex Ensembles in the Diastereodifferentiating Paternò–Büchi Reaction of Chiral Cyanobenzoate with Naphthyl- and Phenylethenes on Direct or Charge-Transfer Excitation

The diastereodifferentiating Paternò–Büchi reaction of chiral cyanobenzoate with 1-(1-naphthyl)-1-phenylethene was compared with those with 1,1-diphenylethene on direct and charge-transfer excitations. By desymmetrization of the donor, four diastereomeric oxetane products were formed on photolysis in excellent combined yields. Increase in donor strength induced a stronger charge-transfer interaction both in ground and excited states. Thus, the difference in diastereoselectivities with two different excitation modes (i.e. direct versus charge-transfer) became less significant with a naphthyl derivative as donor. A subtle change of donor–acceptor interaction was shown to have profound effect on the nature of the excited-state complexes and thus the product (stereo)selectivities. Despite a small temperature dependence, an Eyring-type study on the diastereoselectivities confirmed that the excited charge-transfer complex is an excited species distinct from the conventional exciplex.

Studies on the synthesis, stability and conformation of 2-sulfonyl-oxetane fragments

A library of 2-sulfonyl oxetane fragments has been synthesised and elaborated into lead-like compounds. The oxetane derivatives were stable to acidic and basic conditions and have 3-preferred conformations.

Synthesis of di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted oxetanes by rhodium-catalyzed O-H insertion and C-C bond-forming cyclization

Oxetanes offer exciting potential as structural motifs and intermediates in drug discovery and materials science. Here an efficient strategy for the synthesis of oxetane rings incorporating pendant functional groups is described. A wide variety of oxetane 2,2-dicarboxylates were accessed in high yields, including functionalized 3-/4-aryl- and alkyl-substituted oxetanes and fused oxetane bicycles. Enantioenriched alcohols provided enantioenriched oxetanes with complete retention of configuration. The oxetane products were further derivatized, while the ring was maintained intact, thus highlighting their potential as building blocks for medicinal chemistry.

Pinpointing double bonds in lipids by Paternò-Büchi reactions and mass spectrometry

The positions of double bonds in lipids play critical roles in their biochemical and biophysical properties. In this study, by coupling Paternò-Büchi (P-B) reaction with tandem mass spectrometry, we developed a novel method that can achieve confident, fast, and sensitive determination of double bond locations within various types of lipids. The P-B reaction is facilitated by UV irradiation of a nanoelectrospray plume entraining lipids and acetone. Tandem mass spectrometry of the on-line reaction products via collision activation leads to the rupture of oxetane rings and the formation of diagnostic ions specific to the double bond location.

2-(Aryl-sulfonyl)oxetanes as designer 3-dimensional fragments for fragment screening: synthesis and strategies for functionalisation

2-Sulfonyl-oxetanes have been prepared, affording non-planar structures with desirable physicochemical properties for fragment based drug discovery. The oxetane motif was formed by an intramolecular C-C bond formation. The fragments were further functionalised via organometallic intermediates at the intact oxetane and aromatic rings.

Oxetane synthesis through the Paternò-Büchi reaction

The Paternò-Büchi reaction is a photochemical reaction between a carbonyl compound and an alkene to give the corresponding oxetane. In this review the mechanism of the reaction is discussed. On this basis the described use in the reaction with electron rich alkenes (enolethers, enol esters, enol silyl ethers, enanines, heterocyclic compounds has been reported. The stereochemical behavior of the reaction is particularly stressed. We pointed out the reported applications of this reaction to the synthesis of naturally occuring compounds.

Hydroxy-group effect on the regioselectivity in a photochemical oxetane formation reaction (the Paternò-Büchi Reaction) of geraniol derivatives

The Paternò-Büchi (PB) reaction of geraniol derivatives 1, which contain allylic alcohol functionality and unfunctionalized double bonds, with benzophenone was investigated to see the effect of the hydroxyl group on the regioselectivity of the oxetane formation, i.e., 2/3. At low concentration of geraniol (1a), oxetanes 2a and 3a were formed in a ratio of 2a/3a = ca. 50/50. The oxetane 2a is derived from the PB reaction at the allylic alcohol moiety, whereas the PB reaction at the unfunctionalized double bond produces the oxetane 3a. The PB reaction of the hydroxy-protected methyl ether 1b and acetate 1c gave selectively oxetanes 3b,c derived from the reaction at the more nucleophilic double bond, 2/3∼ 15/85. The hydroxyl-group effect was found to be small, but apparently increased the formation of 2a in the PB reaction with geraniol (1a).

Formation of macrocyclic lactones in the Paternò-Büchi dimerization reaction

Furan-2-ylmethyl 2-oxoacetates 1a,b, in which the furan ring and the carbonyl moiety were embedded intramolecularly, were synthesized from commercially available furan-2-ylmethanol and their photochemical reaction (hν > 290 nm) was investigated. Twelve-membered macrocyclic lactones 2a,b with C_i symmetry including two oxetane-rings, which are the Paternò–Büchi dimerization products, were isolated in ca. 20% yield. The intramolecular cyclization products, such as 3-alkoxyoxetane and 2,7-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene derivatives, were not detected in the photolysate.