The cycloaddition reaction using visible light photoredox catalysis

Recent advances in the application of [2 + 2] cycloaddition in the chemical synthesis of cyclobutane-containing natural products

Cyclobutanes are distributed widely in a large class of natural products featuring diverse pharmaceutical activities and intricate structural frameworks. The [2 + 2] cycloaddition is unequivocally the primary and most commonly used method for synthesizing cyclobutanes. In this review, we have summarized the application of the [2 + 2] cycloaddition with different reaction mechanisms in the chemical synthesis of selected cyclobutane-containing natural products over the past decade.

Visible-light-enabled stereoselective synthesis of functionalized cyclohexylamine derivatives via [4 + 2] cycloadditions

An unprecedented intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of benzocyclobutylamines with α-substituted vinylketones, enabled by photoredox catalysis, has been developed. The current method enables facile access to highly functionalized cyclohexylamine derivatives that were otherwise inaccessible, in moderate to good yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. This protocol has some excellent features, such as full atom economy, good functional-group compatibility, mild reaction conditions, and an overall redox-neutral process. Additionally, an asymmetric version of this cycloaddition was preliminarily investigated via the incorporation of a chiral phosphoric acid (CPA), and moderate to good enantioselectivity could be effectively realized with excellent diastereoselectivity. Synthetic applications were demonstrated via a scale-up experiment and elaborations to access amino alcohol and cyclobutene derivatives. Based on the results of control experiments, a reasonable reaction mechanism was proposed to elucidate the reaction pathway.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Cyclobutenes Enabled by Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Isomerization of BCBs

Chiral cyclobutene units are commonly found in natural products and biologically active molecules. Transition-metal-catalysis has been extensively used in asymmetric synthesis of such structures, while organocatalytic approaches remain elusive. In this study, bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes are involved in enantioselective transformation for the first time to offer a highly efficient route toward cyclobutenes with good regio- and enantiocontrol. The utilization of N-triflyl phosphoramide as a chiral Brønsted acid promoter enables this isomerization process to proceed under mild conditions with low catalyst loading as well as good functional group compatibility. The resulting chiral cyclobutenes could serve as platform molecules for downstream manipulations with excellent reservation of stereochemical integrity, demonstrating the synthetic practicality of the developed method. Control experiments have also been performed to verify the formation of a key carbocation intermediate at the benzylic position.

Photocatalytic Markovnikov-type addition and cyclization of terminal alkynes leading to 4-sulfonyl quinoline-2(1H)-ones

A new and expedient photocatalytic protocol for the construction of quinolin-2(1H)-ones via Markovnikov-type sulfonylation/6-endo-trig cyclization/selective C(O)-CF₃ bond cleavage starting from N-alkyl-N-(2-ethynylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamides and sulfinic acids has been developed. It is as an unprecedented protocol for the preparation of 4-sulfonylquinoline-2(1H)-ones with high efficiency, mild reaction conditions, acceptable yields and a wide range of substrates.

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral imidazolidines by merging copper and visible light-induced photoredox catalysis

A visible light induced copper catalyzed synthesis of decarboxylative radical coupling/cyclization reaction for the synthesis of chiral imidazolidines in high yields and enantioselectivities was reported.

Tandem amide coupling and hydroamination: unexpected benzotriazole oxide addition to the propiolic acid triple bond

An unexpected tandem reaction consisting of amide coupling and hydroamination occurring with common triazole coupling reagents.

Recent Progress in Metal-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

Metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition is a powerful tool that allows rapid construction of functionalized 6-membered carbo- and heterocycles in a single step through an atom-economical process with high functional group tolerance. The reaction is usually regio- and chemoselective although selectivity issues can still be challenging for intermolecular reactions involving the cross-[2+2+2] cycloaddition of two or three different alkynes and various strategies have been developed to attain high selectivities. Furthermore, enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition is an efficient means to create central, axial, and planar chirality and a variety of chiral organometallic complexes can be used for asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed inter- and intramolecular reactions. This review summarizes the recent advances in the field of [2+2+2] cycloaddition.

1 Introduction

2 Formation of Carbocycles

2.1 Intermolecular Reactions

2.1.1 Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes

2.1.2 [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Two Different Alkynes

2.1.3 [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkynes/Alkenes with Alkenes/Enamides

2.2 Partially Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

2.2.1 Rhodium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.2 Molybdenum-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.3 Cobalt-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.4 Ruthenium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.5 Other Metal-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.3 Totally Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

3 Formation of Heterocycles

3.1 Cycloaddition of Alkynes with Nitriles

3.2 Cycloaddition of 1,6-Diynes with Cyanamides

3.3 Cycloaddition of 1,6-Diynes with Selenocyanates

3.4 Cycloaddition of Imines with Allenes or Alkenes

3.5 Cycloaddition of (Thio)Cyanates and Isocyanates

3.6 Cycloaddition of 1,3,5-Triazines with Allenes

3.7 Cycloaddition of Aldehydes with Enynes or Allenes/Alkenes

3.8 Totally Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

4 Conclusion

Recent progress in the radical α-C(sp3)-H functionalization of ketones

The direct use structurally simple ketones as α-ketone radical sources for α-C(sp³)-H functionalization is a sustainable and powerful approach for constructing complex and multifunctional chemical scaffolds with diverse applications. The reactions of α-ketone radicals with alkenes, alkynes, enynes, imides, and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines have broadened the structural diversity and complexity of ketones. Through chosen illustrative examples, we outline the recent progress in the development of methods that enable the radical α-C(sp³)-H functionalization of ketones, with an emphasis on radical initiation systems and possible mechanisms of the transformations. The application of these strategies is illustrated by the synthesis of several biologically active molecules and drug molecules. Further subdivision is based on substrate type and reaction type.

Visible-light-mediated cascade cyanoalkylsulfonylation/cyclization of alkynoates leading to coumarins via SO2 insertion

A visible-light-mediated cascade cyanoalkylsulfonylation/cyclization of alkynoates with cycloketone oxime compounds for the preparation of 3-cyanoalkylsulfonylcoumarins via SO₂ insertion is reported.

Visible light photoredox alkylazidation of alkenes with sodium azide and heteroarenium salts: entry to azido-containing 1,4-dihydropyridines

A three-component alkene alkylazidation using sodium azide as the azido resource and heteroarenium salts as functionalized alkyl reagents for producing highly valuable 2-azido-1-(1,4-dihydropyridin-4-yl)-ethanes is described. This reaction allows the incorporation of both an azido group and a 1,4-dihydropyridin-4-yl group across C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds to construct two new bonds in a single reaction step, and represents a practical and mechanistically distinct alternative that harnesses an electrophilic heteroarenium ion to accomplish the alkene difunctionalization reaction.

Redox Potential Controlled Selective Oxidation of Styrenes for Regio- and Stereoselective Crossed Intermolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition via Organophotoredox Catalysis

A redox potential controlled intermolecular [2 + 2] cross-cycloaddition has been developed in the presence of a thioxanthylium photoredox catalyst. Electron-rich styrenes such as β-bromostyrene (E_p/2 = +1.61 V vs SCE) were selectively oxidized by a thioxanthylium photoredox catalyst (E_1/2 (C*/C^•-) = +1.76 V vs SCE) to styryl radical cations and reacted with styrene (E_p/2 = +1.97 V vs SCE) to furnish polysubstituted cyclobutanes in high yields. The present reaction can be successfully applied to intermolecular [2 + 2] cross-cycloaddition of β-halogenostyrenes, which cannot be effectively achieved by the hitherto reported representative organophotoredox catalysts.

Cascade cyclization reactions of alkylidenecyclopropanes for the construction of polycyclic lactams and lactones by visible light photoredox catalysis

A facile method for the synthesis of seven- and eight-membered ring-containing polycyclic lactams and lactones by visible light photocatalysis has been developed.

Organophotoredox-Catalyzed Intermolecular Oxa-[4+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

An intermolecular oxa-[4+2] cycloaddition reaction promoted by a thioxanthylium photoredox catalyst under irradiation with green light has been developed. The reaction of ortho-quinone methides with styrenes smoothly affords the desired cycloadducts. Especially styrenes bearing electron-donating groups are efficiently transformed in this reaction. This method represents a sustainable way to carry out oxa-[4+2] cycloaddition reactions using only a catalytic amount of a photocatalyst and visible light.

A visible light photoredox catalyzed carbon radical-mediated generation of ortho-quinone methides for 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran synthesis

A visible light photoredox-catalyzed carbon radical-mediated strategy for in situ formation of ortho-quinone methides from 2-vinyl phenols towards 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran synthesis is described.

A simple approach to indeno-coumarins via visible-light-induced cyclization of aryl alkynoates with diethyl bromomalonate

Visible-light-induced triple-domino cyclization between aryl alkynoates and diethyl bromomalonate was developed for the synthesis of indeno-coumarins.

Metal-free photocatalytic thiol–ene/thiol–yne reactions

We report a metal-free photocatalytic approach to the synthesis of glycoconjugates, highlighting the mild nature of the reaction conditions.

Oxidative cyclization of 2-allenyl-1,1'-biphenyls with α-carbonyl alkyl bromides: facile access to functionalized phenanthrenes

A new copper-facilitated oxidative cyclization of 2-allenyl-1,1'-biphenyls with α-carbonyl alkyl bromides for producing functionalized phenanthrenes is presented, which represents the first allene 2,3-dicarbofunctionalization triggered by oxidative radical-medicated C3-addition of the terminal allene moiety and C-Br/C-H functionalization.

Visible-Light-Mediated Ipso-Carboacylation of Alkynes: Synthesis of 3-Acylspiro[4,5]trienones from N-(p-Methoxyaryl)propiolamides and Acyl Chlorides

A novel visible-light-mediated ipso-carboacylation of N-(p-methoxyaryl)propiolamides with acyl chloride has been established for the synthesis of diverse 3-acylspiro[4,5]trienones with high selectivity and efficiency. This method represents a new difunctionalization of alkynes through cross coupling of the acyl chloride C-Cl bonds with an ipso-aromatic carbon by simultaneously forming two new carbon-carbon bonds and one carbon-oxygen double bond.

Synthesis of functionalized pyrroloindolinesviaa visible-light-induced radical cascade reaction: rapid synthesis of (±)-flustraminol B

We report a visible-light-induced synthesis of functionalized pyrroloindolinesviaa radical cascade reaction,highlighting a mild nature of the reaction condition.

Base-mediated formal [3+2] cycloaddition of β,γ-alkenyl esters and p-TsN3 for the synthesis of pyrazoles

A novel 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU)-mediated formal cycloaddition of β,γ-alkenyl esters with p-tolylsulfonylazide (p-TsN₃) for the synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles has been developed. The reaction proceeded through diazotization of β,γ-alkenyl esters sequential with thermodynamic cyclization. p-Tolylsulfonylazide played a role as a source of two-nitrogen synthons. The reaction employs readily available starting materials, tolerates a wide range of functional groups, and proceeds under mild conditions.

Chromium photocatalysis: accessing structural complements to Diels-Alder adducts with electron-deficient dienophiles

A chromium-catalyzed, visible light-activated net [4 + 2] cycloaddition between dienes and electron-deficient alkenes is described. Gathered evidence, via control experiments, isolated intermediates, and measured redox potentials, points to several converging reaction pathways that afford the cyclohexene adducts, including a photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition/vinylcyclobutane rearrangement cascade and a substrate excitation/oxidation sequence to a radical cation intermediate. Notably, the accompanying mechanistic stipulations result in a process that yields regioisomeric compounds from those generated by traditional Diels-Alder cycloadditions.