Silver-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Addition/Cyclization of Activated Alkenes with Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids

Silver-Catalyzed Cascade Radical Bicyclization Reaction: An Atom- and Step-Economical Strategy Accessing γ-Lactam Containing Isoquinolinediones

An efficient and convenient method for the cascade radical bicyclization of N-phenyl-4-pentenamides with N-methyl-N-methacryloylbenzamides under silver-catalyzed conditions is described. Based on this newly developed strategy, a variety of valuable γ-lactam containing isoquinolinediones can be effectively synthesized in one step within 0.5 h, during which two C-C bonds, one C-N bond, and two new N-heterocycles were formed concurrently. With N-aryl allyl carbamates, similar 2-oxazolidinone substituted isoquinolinedione compounds can likewise be produced. The approach demonstrates wide functional group compatibility, high step- and atom-economy, and the ability to be scaled up to gram quantities in a satisfactory yield. It marks the first instance of introducing γ-lactams into isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones to construct linked hybrid drug-like molecules, thereby making this strategy highly attractive to drug discovery.

Silver-catalyzed cyclization of α-imino-oxy acids to fused tetralone derivatives

A silver-catalyzed intramolecular radical relay cyclization of α-imino-oxy acids under mild conditions has been described. This reaction offers facile access to a diverse range of fused tetralone derivatives with exquisite stereoselectivity in moderate to good yields (40-98%). Experimental studies show that the reaction undergoes a decarboxylation and acetone fragmentation/1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)/cyclization process.

Visible-Light-Photocatalyzed Dicarbofunctionalization of Conjugated Alkenes with Ketone-Based Dihydroquinazolinones

A visible-light-photocatalyzed 1,2-arylalkylation of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides with ketone-based dihydroquinazolinones is described. The formal C-C bond cleavage of aliphatic ketones is unified with tandem radical alkylation/1,4-aryl migration/desulfonylation to forge two different types of vicinal C-C bonds and construct an all-carbon quaternary α-stereocenter, thus enhancing the carbogenic complexity and tolerating diverse functionalities. Additional to telescopic synthesis and product diversification, this method features a radical dicarbofunctionalization of conjugated N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides with a nucleophilic alkyl radical precursor (dihydroquinazolinone) utilizing oxygen as a green oxidant at ambient temperature.

Synthese von α-Arylacrylamiden via Lewis Base vermitteltem Aryl/Wasserstoff-Austausch

Hierin stellen wir eine neue Methode für die Synthese von α‐Arylacrylamiden vor. Die Reaktion basiert auf der Nutzung polarer S‐zu‐C Arylwanderungen, induziert durch einen Lewis‐basischen Organokatalysator. Im Unterschied zu zuvor publizierten radikalischen Arylwanderungen von Sulfonylacrylamiden, ermöglicht dieser polare Prozess eine darauffolgende Eliminierung, wodurch in Summe ein formaler Aryl/Wasserstoff‐Austausch unter Ausscheidung von SO2 stattfindet. Die vorgestellte Reaktion ist selektiv für elektronenarme aromatische Gruppen, während eine Vielfalt von Substituenten am Stickstoff und an der β‐Position toleriert werden, und erzeugt nützliche Bausteine für Folgereaktionen wie Zykloadditionen und Zyklisierungen. Der Reaktionsmechanismus wurde mithilfe quantenchemischer Berechnungen erforscht, die die unerwartete Rolle der Lewis Base in mehreren Schlüsselschritten darlegten.

Synthesis of α-Aryl Acrylamides via Lewis-Base-Mediated Aryl/Hydrogen Exchange

Herein we report a method for the synthesis of α-aryl acrylamides leveraging polar S-to-C aryl migrations induced by a Lewis basic organocatalyst. In contrast to previously reported radical aryl migrations of sulfonyl acrylimides, this polar process enables subsequent elimination, ultimately leading to a formal aryl/hydrogen exchange including SO₂ extrusion. This reaction is selective for electron-deficient aromatic groups, while tolerating a variety of substituents on nitrogen and in the β-position, and it delivers useful building blocks for further transformations, including cycloaddition and cyclisation reactions. The mechanism was investigated in detail using quantum chemical calculations, which unexpectedly revealed the Lewis base to be involved in several decisive steps.

Recent developments in the synthesis of the isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione by radical cascade reaction

In recent years, isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione compounds have attracted extensive attention from synthetic chemists, with the aim of finding simple, mild, green and efficient synthetic methods. In this review, we summarize the diverse range of synthetic methods employing acryloyl benzamides as key substrates to furnish isoquinoline-1,3-diones using different radical precursors, such as those containing carbon, sulphur, phosphorus, nitrogen, silicon and bromine. This will stimulate the interest of readers to engage in research in this field.

SO2-Extrusive 1,4-(Het)Aryl Migration: Synthesis of α-Aryl Amides and Related Reactions

(Het)aryl migration has emerged as a key synthetic tool and has particularly been exploited for the synthesis of α-aryl amides. This method overcomes the existing α-arylation methods, which are not always compatible with the introduction of (het)aryl groups possessing bulky or electrophilic substituents. This review focuses on SO2-extrusive (het)aryl migration in the frame of α-aryl amide synthesis. Anion- and radical-mediated transformations are reported, including the synthesis of polycyclic compounds through cascade reactions.

1 Introduction

2 Anionic Aryl Migration

3 Radical Aryl Migration

4 Conclusion

Silver-catalyzed decarboxylative cyclization for the synthesis of substituted pyrazoles from 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes and α-keto acids

A silver-catalyzed decarboxylative cyclization process has been developed for the synthesis of substituted pyrazoles from the readily available 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes and α-keto acids. Under the optimized conditions, a series of multisubstituted pyrazoles were well prepared in moderate to good yields. In addition, the synthetic utility of this protocol has been demonstrated by synthesizing analogs of FDA approved drugs such as anti-inflammatory drug, lonazolac and antiobesity drug, rimonabant.

Free Radical Cascade Carbochloromethylations of Activated Alkenes

Free radical carbochloromethylations of ortho-cyanoarylacrylamides and N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides have been developed by employing simple alkyl chlorides as the chloromethyl source. The transformations are characterized by wide functional group compatibility and utilizing readily available reagents, thus providing efficient methods for constructing polychloromethyl-substituted quinoline-2,4-diones and α-aryl-β-polychloromethylated amides.

Direct decarboxylative Giese reactions

The quest to find milder and more sustainable methods to generate highly reactive, carbon-centred intermediates has led to a resurgence of interest in radical chemistry. In particular, carboxylic acids are seen as attractive radical precursors due their availability, low cost, diversity, and sustainability. Moreover, the corresponding nucleophilic carbon-radical can be easily accessed through a favourable radical decarboxylation process, extruding CO₂ as a traceless by-product. This review summarizes the recent progress on using carboxylic acids directly as convenient radical precursors for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds via the 1,4-radical conjugate addition (Giese) reaction.

Copper-Catalyzed Aminoarylation of Alkenes via Aminyl Radical Addition and Aryl Migration

We describe a new strategy for aminoarylation of alkenes by copper-catalyzed smiles rearrangement using O-benzoylhydroxylamines as the amine reagent. This method affords various β-amino amide derivatives possessing a quaternary carbon center with wide functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity. The mechanistic studies indicate that the transformation can involve aminyl radical intermediates under acid-free condition.

Desulfonylation via Radical Process: Recent Developments in Organic Synthesis

As the "chemical chameleon", sulfonyl-containing compounds and their variants have been merged with various types of reactions for the efficient construction of diverse molecular architectures by taking advantage of their incredible reactive flexibility. Currently, their involvement in radical transformations, in which the sulfonyl group typically acts as a leaving group via selective C-S, N-S, O-S, S-S, and Se-S bond cleavage/functionalization, has facilitated new bond formation strategies which are complementary to classical two-electron cross-couplings via organometallic or ionic intermediates. Considering the great influence and synthetic potential of these novel avenues, we summarize recent advances in this rapidly expanding area by discussing the reaction designs, substrate scopes, mechanistic studies, and their limitations, outlining the state-of-the-art processes involved in radical-mediated desulfonylation and related transformations. With a specific emphasis on their synthetic applications, we believe this review will be useful for medicinal and synthetic organic chemists who are interested in radical chemistry and radical-mediated desulfonylation in particular.

Cobalt-Catalyzed 1,4-Aryl Migration/Desulfonylation Cascade: Synthesis of α-Aryl Amides

A cobalt-catalyzed 1,4-aryl migration/disulfonylation cascade applied to α-bromo N-sulfonyl amides was developed. The reaction was highly chemoselective, allowing the preparation of α-aryl amides possessing a variety of functional groups. The method was used as the key step to synthesize an alkaloid, (±)-deoxyeseroline. Mechanistic investigations suggest a radical process.

Copper-catalyzed [3 + 2]/[3 + 2] carboannulation of dienynes and arylsulfonyl chlorides enabled by Smiles rearrangement: access to cyclopenta[a]indene-fused quinolinones

A radical Smiles rearrangement strategy for allowing an unprecedented [3 + 2]/[3 + 2] carboannulation of dienynes with arylsulfonyl chlorides using cheap copper catalysis is described.

Silver-promoted oxidative sulfonylation and ring-expansion of vinylcyclopropanes with sodium sulfinates leading to dihydronaphthalene derivatives

Silver-promoted sulfonylation and ring-expansion of vinylcyclopropanes with sodium sulfinates is established for the construction of 1-sulfonylmethylated 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes. This sulfonylation process involves a radical pathway, including sulfonyl radical formation, radical addition, ring-opening and cyclization. The 1-sulfonylmethylated 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes can be converted into other useful products.

Ynamide Smiles Rearrangement Triggered by Visible-Light-Mediated Regioselective Ketyl-Ynamide Coupling: Rapid Access to Functionalized Indoles and Isoquinolines

In the past decades, significant advances have been made on radical Smiles rearrangement. However, the eventually formed radical intermediates in these reactions are limited to the amidyl radical, except for the few examples initiated by a N-centered radical. Here, a novel and practical radical Smiles rearrangement triggered by photoredox-catalyzed regioselective ketyl-ynamide coupling is reported, which represents the first radical Smiles rearrangement of ynamides. This method enables facile access to a variety of valuable 2-benzhydrylindoles with broad substrate scope in generally good yields under mild reaction conditions. In addition, this chemistry can also be extended to the divergent synthesis of versatile 3-benzhydrylisoquinolines through a similar ketyl-ynamide coupling and radical Smiles rearrangement, followed by dehydrogenative oxidation. Moreover, such an ynamide Smiles rearrangement initiated by intermolecular photoredox catalysis via addition of external radical sources is also achieved. By control experiments, the reaction was shown to proceed via key ketyl radical and α-imino carbon radical intermediates.

Visible-light-induced intramolecular radical cascade of α-bromo-N-benzyl-alkylamides: a new strategy to synthesize tetracyclic N-fused indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones

Polycyclic indole scaffolds are ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals and natural products and in materials science. Here, we present a visible-light-initiated intramolecular aryl migration/desulfonylation/cyclization cascade reaction for the synthesis of tetracyclic indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones. This protocol not only exhibited a wide substrate scope but also provided a mild route to access a variety of tetracyclic N-fused indoles.

Visible-light-promoted acyl radical cascade reaction for accessing acylated isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives

A visible-light-promoted radical acylation/cyclization cascade reaction of N-methacryloylbenzamides with α-keto acids was developed to construct acylated isoquinoline-dione derivatives.

Tandem radical cyclization of N-methacryloyl benzamides with CBr4 to construct brominated isoquinolinediones

A simple cumene (isopropylbenzene, IPB) promoted auto-oxidation involved tandem radical cyclization of N-methacryloyl benzamides using stable and easy-to-handle CBr₄ as the bromine source is described. This strategy provides an efficient and practical approach for the synthesis of bromine containing isoquinolinediones. This method also presents a new way to generate bromine radicals using a mild auto-oxidation pathway.

Synthesis of 4-Aryl Isoquinolinedione Derivatives by a Palladium-Catalyzed Coupling Reaction of Aryl Halides with Isoquinoline-1,3(2 H,4 H)-diones

The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with isoquinoline-1,3(2 H,4 H)-diones for the synthesis of 4-aryl isoquinoline-1,3(2 H,4 H)-diones was developed. The reaction conditions exhibit remarkable compatibility with various aryl halides and isoquinoline-1,3(2 H,4 H)-diones, and the product could be conveniently transformed to 4-aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines. (±) Dichlorofensine was synthesized using this protocol in two steps with an overall yield of 71%.

Silver-catalyzed decarboxylative cascade radical cyclization of tert-carboxylic acids and o-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes towards chroman-4-one derivatives

A convenient silver-catalyzed decarboxylative cascade radical cyclization of tertiary carboxylic acids and o-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes was developed to synthesize 3-alkyl-substituted chroman-4-one derivatives.

Atom-Economic Synthesis of 4-Pyrones from Diynones and Water

Transition-metal-free synthesis of 4-pyrones via TfOH-promoted nucleophilic addition/cyclization of diynones and water has been developed. This transformation is simple, atom economical and environmentally benign, providing rapid and efficient access to substituted 4-pyrones.

Visible-light induced di- and trifluoromethylation of N-benzamides with fluorinated sulfones for the synthesis of CF2H/CF3-containing isoquinolinediones

A photocatalytic radical di- or trifluoromethylation/cyclization of methacryloyl benzamides with fluorinated sulfones provided an efficient route to CF₂H/CF₃-containing isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones.

Intermolecular cascade annulations of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides with dual C(sp3)–H bonds: divergent access to indanes and pyrrolidin-2-ones

A new divergent cascade annulation reaction of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides and dual alkyl C(sp³)–H bonds for selectively producing indanes and pyrrolidin-2-ones is presented.

Oxidative decarbonylative coupling of aliphatic aldehydes with methacryloyl benzamides to generate isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones

Alkyl-substituted isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones were prepared by coupling of N-alkyl-N-methacryloylbenzamides and aliphatic aldehydes through subsequent decarbonylation, radical addition and cyclization processes.

Aerobic thiyl radical addition/cyclization of N-methacryloyl benzamides for the synthesis of isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives

A highly effective dioxygen-triggered oxidative thiyl radical addition/cyclization of N-methacryloylbenzamides was explored. This method provides convenient access to a variety of useful sulfide-containing 4,4-disubstituted isoquinoline-1,3-diones.

Oxidative bicyclization of N-tethered 1,7-enynes toward polycyclic 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones via site-selective decarboxylative C(sp3)–H functionalization

A new Ag-catalyzed oxidative bicyclization of N-tethered 1,7-enynes with alkylcarboxylic acids for forming 41 examples of polycyclic 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones has been established using readily accessible K₂S₂O₈ as an oxidant.

1,2-Arylalkylation of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides using aliphatic aldehydes as the alkyl source

A metal-free decarbonylative arylalkylation of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides using aliphatic aldehydes as the alkyl radical source was developed.

CuBr-mediated radical cascade difluoroacetamidation of acrylamides using α,α-difluoro-α-(TMS)-acetamides

Radical cascade difluoroacetamidation of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides with α,α-difluoro-α-(TMS)-acetamides has been achieved for the first time.

Addition of nitrogen dioxide to carbon–carbon double bond followed by a cyclization to construct nitromethylated isoquinolinediones

4-(Nitromethyl)isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones were synthesized via a tandem nitration/cyclization reaction of N-alkyl-N-methacryloyl benzamides using CO₂ as the nitro source.