Visible light/Ir(III) photocatalytic initiation of xanthate-based radical-chain reactions: Xanthate group transfer and oxidative addition to aromatic systems

Decarboxylative Xanthylation under Photocatalytic Conditions

Xanthates are widely used in organic synthesis for the construction of various molecules and have numerous applications as bioactive compounds. Here, we present their preparation via a straightforward photocatalytic decarboxylative xanthylation process involving readily available oxime esters and xanthate dimers. This approach provides access to a wide variety of xanthate compounds in moderate to good yields, including xanthates derived from relevant pharmaceutical and bioactive molecules.

Synthesis of 4-Alkyl-2-chloro Imidazoles Using Intermolecular Radical Additions

Here, we report an intermolecular radical addition-based reaction sequence that permits preparation of functionalized imidazoles via a 5-step/3-pot procedure. In contrast to traditional, transition-metal mediated protocols, which generally provide access to 2-substituted imidazoles, the strategy described here allows incorporation of a structurally diverse range of complex alkyl side chains at the 4-position. This work demonstrates that intermolecular free-radical addition reactions are a powerful alternative to traditional methods used to synthesize medicinally important heterocyclic frameworks.

A Copper-Mediated Radical α-Heteroarylation of Nitriles with Azobis(alkylcarbonitriles)

A new practical method has been developed for the α-heteroarylation of aliphatic nitriles with heteroarenes and azobis(alkylcarbonitriles) using Cu(OAc)2 as an oxidizing agent. This method allows the easy construction of nitrile-, aryl-, and dialkyl-bearing quaternary carbon centers from readily available building blocks, without requiring prefunctionalization steps. This reaction is based on adding cyanodialkyl radicals onto heteroarenes, including benzofurans, furans, pyrroles, and indoles. The resulting α-heteroaryl nitriles are useful synthetic intermediates and pharmacophores in biologically active molecules.

A Radical Route to α-Substituted Enones

A versatile strategy for the α-substitution of enones through the formal fusion between enones and unactivated alkenes is described. It relies on the formation and use of α-xanthyl-β-hydroxy ketones, which can be considered as synthetic equivalents of the high energy and difficult to tame alkenyl radicals. The process, which can often be accomplished one-pot, could be extended in one case to an α,β-unsaturated ester.

Recent Progress on Photocatalytic Synthesis of Ester Derivatives and Reaction Mechanisms

Esters and their derivatives are distributed widely in natural products, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and other fields. Esters are important building blocks in pharmaceuticals such as clopidogrel, methylphenidate, fenofibrate, travoprost, prasugrel, oseltamivir, eszopiclone and fluticasone. Therefore, esterification reaction becomes more and more popular in the photochemical field. In this review, we highlight three types of reactions to synthesize esters using photochemical strategies. The reaction mechanisms involve mainly single electron transfer, energy transfer or other radical procedures.

Photocatalytic xanthate-based radical addition/cyclization reaction sequence toward 2-biphenyl isocyanides: synthesis of 6-alkylated phenanthridines

A photocatalytic xanthate-based radical addition/cyclization reaction cascade toward 2-biphenylisocyanides is described as a practical and modular approach to 6-alkylated phenanthridines. The use of xanthates as radical precursors allowed the synthesis of diversely 6-substituted phenanthridines. Electrophilic radicals derived from nitriles, aromatic and aliphatic ketones, malonates, and amide derivatives, as well as radicals derived from phthalimidomethyl and benzylic derivatives were successfully introduced. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions without a stoichiometric amount of oxidant. Thirty novel phenanthridine scaffolds were synthesized with yields ranging from 24 to 76%.

Peroxide-Mediated Oxidative Radical Cyclization to the Quinazolinone System: Efficient Syntheses of Deoxyvasicinone, Mackinazolinone and (±)-Leucomidine C

An efficient protocol for obtaining fused quinazolinones through an oxidative free-radical cyclization under metal- and tin-free conditions is described. The oxidative cyclization of various N-3-ω-iodoalkyl derivatives to provide tricyclic systems using dicumyl peroxide as the sole reagent is studied. The method then is employed for the syntheses of 5-, 6-, and 7-membered fused quinazolinone analogues, including the natural products deoxyvasicinone and mackinazolinone. A xanthate-based oxidative radical cascade addition/cyclization process that allows the production of new menthol- and testosterone-quinazolinone conjugates, as well as the first total synthesis of leucomidine C, are also reported.

Organophotoredox-Catalyzed C–H Alkylation of Imidazoheterocycles with Malonates: Total Synthesis of Zolpidem

Organophotocatalytic C–H bond functionalization has attracted a lot of attention in the past several years due to the possibility of catalyzing reactions in a metal- and peroxide-free environment. Continuing on these lines, an organophotoredox-catalyzed C–H functionalization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and related heterocycles with bromomalonates under mild conditions is reported, providing excellent yields of the products at room temperature. This is the first report involving malonates as coupling partners leading to the synthesis of a range of functionalized products including total synthesis of zolpidem, a sedative­-hypnotic drug molecule.

Degenerative xanthate transfer to olefins under visible-light photocatalysis

The degenerative transfer of xanthates to olefins is enabled by the iridium-based photocatalyst [Ir{dF(CF3)ppy}2(dtbbpy)](PF6) under blue LED light irradiation. Detailed mechanistic investigations through kinetics and photophysical studies revealed that the process operates under a radical chain mechanism, which is initiated through triplet-sensitization of xanthates by the long-lived triplet state of the iridium-based photocatalyst.