Addition of alkyl radicals, generated from carboxylic acids via photochemical decarboxylation, to glyoxylic oxime ether: a mild and efficient route to α-substituted α-aminoesters

Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Alkylation of Cyclic Imine-BF3 Complexes: A Modular Route to Functionalized Azacycles

Alkyl radicals generated via an acridine photocatalyzed decarboxylation reaction of feedstock carboxylic acids engage with a range of cyclic imine-BF3 complexes to provide α-functionalized azacycles in an operationally simple process. A three-component variant of this transformation incorporating [1.1.1]propellane as an additional reaction partner enables the synthesis of valuable bicyclopentane (BCP)-containing azacycles. Reactions exhibit good functional group compatibility, enabling late-stage modification of complex bioactive molecules.

Organic Photoredox Reactions in Two-Molecule Photoredox System

Using our recent relevant results, this account shows the featured reactivities of two-molecule photoredox systems compared to one-molecule photoredox systems. The low efficiency of electron transfer processes, such as photoinduced and back-electron transfer, in the two-molecule photoredox system, furnishes unique products through different pathways. The facile replacement of photoredox catalysts with appropriate oxidation/reduction potentials in this system provides valuable insights into photoredox reactions.

Photoredox Catalytic Installation of an Alkyl/Aryl Side Chain and Deuterium into (S)-Methyleneoxazolidinone: Synthesis of Enantioenriched α-Deuterated α-Amino Acid Derivatives

A photoredox catalytic asymmetric method has been established for the installation of both aliphatic and aromatic side chains and the introduction of deuterium into the chiral methyleneoxazolidinone simultaneously. Efficient coupling of readily available boronic acids with the chiral auxiliary delivers structurally diverse α-deuterated α-amino acid derivatives with a high level of diastereoselectivity and deuteration.

Exploiting photoredox catalysis for carbohydrate modification through C–H and C–C bond activation

Photoredox catalysis has recently emerged as a powerful synthetic platform for accessing complex chemical structures through non-traditional bond disconnection strategies that proceed through free-radical intermediates. Such synthetic strategies have been used for a range of organic transformations; however, in carbohydrate chemistry they have primarily been applied to the generation of oxocarbenium ion intermediates in the ubiquitous glycosylation reaction. In this Review, we present more intricate light-induced synthetic strategies to modify native carbohydrates through homolytic C-H and C-C bond cleavage. These strategies allow access to glycans and glycoconjugates with profoundly altered carbohydrate skeletons, which are challenging to obtain through conventional synthetic means. Carbohydrate derivatives with such structural motifs represent a broad class of natural products integral to numerous biochemical processes and can be found in active pharmaceutical substances. Here we present progress made in C-H and C-C bond activation of carbohydrates through photoredox catalysis, focusing on the operational mechanisms and the scope of the described methodologies.

Boron Chelates Derived from N-Acylhydrazones as Radical Acceptors: Photocatalyzed Coupling of Hydrazones with Carboxylic Acids

Difluoroboryl complexes obtained from N-acyl hydrazones upon brief treatment with boron trifluoride and allylic silane serve as efficient acceptors of alkyl radicals. The reaction of the boryl chelates with carboxylic acids in the presence of an acridine-type photocatalyst leading to N-acyl hydrazides is described. The efficiency of addition at the C═N bond of the chelates is determined by the formation of a nitrogen-centered radical stabilized by the boron-containing heterocyclic ring.

Aqueous ozonation of furans: Kinetics and transformation mechanisms leading to the formation of α,β-unsaturated dicarbonyl compounds

Despite the widespread occurrence of furan moieties in synthetic and natural compounds, their fate in aqueous ozonation has not been investigated in detail. Reaction rate constants of seven commonly used furans with ozone were measured and ranged from k_O3 = 8.5 × 10⁴ to 3.2 × 10⁶ M^-1 s^-1, depending on the type and position of furan ring substituents. Transformation product analysis of the reaction of furans with ozone focusing on the formation of toxic organic electrophiles using a novel amino acid reactivity assay revealed the formation of α,β-unsaturated dicarbonyl compounds, 2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA) and its substituted analogues (BDA-Rs). Their formation can be attributed to ozone attack at the reactive α-C position leading to furan ring opening. The molar yields of α,β-unsaturated dicarbonyl compounds varied with the applied ozone concentration reaching maximum values of 7% for 2-furoic acid. The identified α,β-unsaturated dicarbonyls are well-known toxicophores that are also formed by enzymatic oxidation of furans in the human body. In addition to providing data on kinetics, transformation product analysis and proposed reaction mechanisms for the ozonation of furans, this study raises concern about the presence of α,β-unsaturated dicarbonyl compounds in water treatment and the resulting effects on human and environmental health.

A general asymmetric synthesis of artificial aliphatic and perfluoroalkylated α-amino acids by Luche's cross-electrophile coupling reaction

Aliphatic artificial α-amino acids (α-AAs) have attracted great interest in biochemistry and pharmacy. In this context, we developed a promising practical protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of these α-AAs through the selective and efficient intermolecular cross-electrophile coupling of Belokon's chiral dehydroalanine Ni(ii) complex with different alkyl and perfluoroalkyl iodides mediated by a dual Zn/Cu system. The reaction afforded diastereomeric complexes with dr up to 21.3 : 1 in 24-95% yields (19 examples). Exemplarily, three enantiomerically pure aliphatic α-AAs were obtained through acidic decomposition of (S,S)-diastereomers of Ni(ii) complexes. Importantly, the chiral auxiliary ligand (S)-BPB ((S)-2-(N-benzylprolyl)aminobenzophenone) was easily recycled by simple filtration after acidic complex decomposition and reused for the synthesis of the initial dehydroalanine Ni(ii) complex.

Photoredox-Enabled Decarboxylative Synthesis of Unnatural α-Amino Acids

Recently, development of general synthetic routes to unnatural α-amino acids has gained significant momentum, driven by the high demand for such building blocks in fundamental research within molecular and structural biology, as well as for development of new pharmaceuticals. Herein, we highlight the recent progress in employing photoredox-mediated synthetic methods for accessing unnatural α-amino acids with a focus on various decarboxylative radical-based strategies.

Stereoselective synthesis of unnatural α-amino acid derivatives through photoredox catalysis

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids. The developed protocol allows the use of ubiquitous carboxylic acids as radical precursors without prior derivatization. The protocol utilizes near-stoichiometric amounts of the imine and the acid radical precursor in combination with a catalytic amount of an organic acridinium-based photocatalyst. Alternative mechanisms for the developed transformation are discussed and corroborated by experimental and computational studies.

Transition metal-free, visible-light-mediated construction of α,β-diamino esters via decarboxylative radical addition at room temperature

A metal-free photoredox catalyzed decarboxylative radical coupling of free-carboxylic acids and glyoxylic oximes was developed to synthesize α,β-diamino acids.

Metal-Free Photoinduced Decarboxylative Radical Polymerization Using Carboxylic Acids as Benign Radical Initiators: Introduction of Complex Molecules into Polymer Chain Ends

Metal-free photoinduced decarboxylative radical polymerization of aliphatic carboxylic acids with a variety of monomers was found to proceed smoothly to give the corresponding polymers under mild conditions. Complex carboxylic acids such as those of sugars, steroids, and peptides can function as benign radical initiators via decarboxylation and can be incorporated at the polymer chain ends. This synthetic methodology represents a facile introduction of molecules and functionalities to polymers by using commercially available carboxylic acids.

Transition-Metal-Free Decarboxylative Photoredox Coupling of Carboxylic Acids and Alcohols with Aromatic Nitriles

A transition-metal-free protocol for the redox-neutral light-induced decarboxylative coupling of carboxylic acids with (hetero)aromatic nitriles at ambient temperature is presented. A broad scope of acids and nitriles is accepted, and alcohols can be coupled in a similar fashion through their oxalate half esters. Various inexpensive sources of UV light and even sunlight can be used to achieve this C-C bond formation proceeding through a free radical mechanism.

Brønsted acid-catalysed conjugate addition of photochemically generated α-amino radicals to alkenylpyridines

The conjugate addition of α-amino radicals to alkenylpyridines has been accomplished by the synergistic merger of Brønsted acid and visible light photoredox catalysis. Key to reaction development was the protonation of the alkenylpyridines that transiently generated a highly reactive, electrophilic pseudo-iminium ion intermediate. Initial investigations using chiral phosphoric acids provide clues on the feasibility of an enantioselective catalytic variant.

Transition metal-free decarboxylative alkylation reactions

This review summarizes recent advances in the transition metal-free decarboxylative alkylation of carboxylic acids and their derivatives.

Photochemically-induced C-C bond formation between tertiary amines and nitrones

Photoexcited nitrones serve as excellent electron acceptors as well as radical acceptors in the presence of tertiary amines to give β-amino hydroxylamines via photochemically-induced direct sp(3) C-H functionalization of the tertiary amines. The combined use of an organophotosensitizer and photoirradiation was highly effective in accelerating addition reactions. Several nitrones and tertiary amines were successfully utilized to give β-amino hydroxylamines in good yield. Highly regioselective generation of primary α-aminoalkyl radicals based on Lewis's stereoelectronic rule and diastereoselective addition reactions of primary α-aminoalkyl radicals with nitrones were successfully achieved. Furthermore, a highly diastereoselective reaction of an α-aminoalkyl radical with a chiral (E)-geometry-fixed α-alkoxycarbonylnitrone was performed.

Et3B-mediated two- and three-component coupling reactions via radical decarbonylation of α-alkoxyacyl tellurides: single-step construction of densely oxygenated carboskeletons

The single-step construction of various densely oxygenated carboskeletons was achieved by radical-based two- and three-component coupling reactions of sugar derivatives, without the need for light or heat. Et3B/O2-mediated decarbonylation readily converted α-alkoxyacyl tellurides to α-alkoxy carbon radicals, which intermolecularly added to glyoxylic oxime ether or enones to provide the two-component adducts. Furthermore, the three-component adducts were produced by an intermolecular aldol reaction between the aldehyde and the boron enolates generated by capture of the two-component radical intermediates by Et3B. This powerful coupling method serves as a novel strategy for the convergent synthesis of polyol natural products.

Decarboxylative allylation of amino alkanoic acids and esters via dual catalysis

A combination of photoredox and palladium catalysis has been employed to facilitate the room temperature decarboxylative allylation of recalcitrant α-amino and phenylacetic allyl esters. This operationally simple process produces CO₂ as the only byproduct and provides direct access to allylated alkanes. After photochemical oxidation, the carboxylate undergoes radical decarboxylation to site-specifically generate radical intermediates which undergo allylation. A radical dual catalysis mechanism is proposed. Free phenylacetic acids were also allylated utilizing similar reactions conditions.

Photoinduced electron transfer promoted radical ring expansion and cyclization reactions of α-(ω-carboxyalkyl) β-keto esters

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) promoted decarboxylation of α-(ω-carboxyalkyl) β-keto esters undergoes radical ring expansion and cyclization reactions. This mild and environmentally friendly method can provide one-carbon expanded γ-keto esters and bicyclic alcohols, and the product distribution is strongly dependent on the length of the alkyl chain containing the terminal carboxylate group.

Radical photocyclization route for macrocyclic lactone ring expansion and conversion to macrocyclic lactams and ketones

A new method for the synthesis of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones, which utilizes photoinduced intramolecular radical cyclization reactions of substrates containing tethered carboxylic acids and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties, has been uncovered. Photocyclization of the carboxylic acids tethered acrylate ester, which were prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, gave the two-carbon elongated macrocyclic lactones via decarboxylation. Similar photoreactions of carboxylic acid tethered acryl amide or α,β-unsaturated ketone moieties, which were also prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, produced macrocyclic lactams or ketones, respectively. The simple approach can be readily applied to the preparation of a variety of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones with tunable ring sizes.

Organic aspects. Oxygen-containing functions

In this chapter, most of the reported work deals with the photochemistry of carbonyl compounds; however, the photoreactions of other functions, such as the photo-Claisen rearrangement or the photocleavage of cyclic ethers, are also included. In the present volume, time coverage is 2010–2011, and only original research articles are quoted. In general, reviews or purely theoretical calculations are not systematically included. As usually, the material is organized according to established types of reactions (e.g., Norrish I/II, hydrogen abstraction, Paternò-Büchi, photoelimination, photo-Fries/photo-Claisen, etc.). After presenting the basic photochemical aspects, more specific findings are reported. They include synthetic applications, stereoselectivity, and biological or technological implications. Next, the attention is focused on photochemical reactions in anisotropic media, including (micro)heterogeneous or supramolecular systems, solid matrixes or fully organized crystals. Finally, mechanistic studies based on direct experimental evidence are highlighted, especially when transient absorption spectroscopy or related ultrafast detection are employed.

A mild deuterium exchange reaction of free carboxylic acids by photochemical decarboxylation

Deuterium exchange of a carboxy group was achieved by photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids in the presence of thiol and a small amount of D(2)O, and a deuterated product with excellent deuterium content was obtained; this reaction is a practical means of synthesizing regioselective deuterium-labelled compounds under mild reaction conditions.

Influence of solvent, electron acceptors and arenes on photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids via single electron transfer (SET)

Single electron transfer (SET)-photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids was performed in a polar solvent using several arenes such as phenanthrene, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl, triphenylene, and chrysene in the presence of various electron acceptors such as 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-dicyanobenzenes, methyl 4-cyanobenzoate, and 1,4-dicyanonaphthalene. The decarboxylation reaction was influenced by the arenes, electron acceptors, and solvent. The best result was achieved by the photoreaction using biphenyl and 1,4-dicyanonaphthalene in aqueous acetonitrile.