Intermolecular Trifluoromethyl-Hydrazination of Alkenes Enabled by Organic Photoredox Catalysis

Trifluoromethylative and Pentafluoroethylative Heterofunctionalization (C-O, C-S, and C-N) of Alkenes Using Visible Light Photocatalysis

A mild and general method for photoredox-catalyzed trifluoromethylative and pentafluoroethylative heterofunctionalization of alkenes is proposed. In this reaction, the Togni reagent serves as a CF3- or CF2CF3-radical source for the regioselective formation of the C-CF3 and C-CF2CF3 bonds from alkenes, and additional nucleophiles (O, S, N) provide C-O, C-S, and C-N bonds, respectively. These reactions provide a common gateway to access the fluoroalkylative heterofunctionalization of alkenes.

Cu-Catalyzed Polychloromethylamination of Styrenes through C(sp3 )-H Bond Cleavage

A copper-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction has been developed allowing the rapid building of valuable complex highly functionalized β-polychloromethyl amines from simple styrenes, arylamines, and dichloromethane/chloroform. Using aryldiazonium salts as a radical initiator, a series of corresponding products are obtained with moderate to good yields under a carbon dioxide or nitrogen atmosphere (50 psi). In addition, good functional group tolerance can be observed.

Recent advances in the application of Langlois' reagent in olefin difunctionalization

In this review, we summarise the recent applications of Langlois' reagent in the radical-mediated difunctionalization of alkenes. Among the various trifluoromethylation reagents, Langlois' reagent is an exceptional compound, and many important organic transformations have been realized by employing such reagents. Various organic transformations of Langlois' reagent, especially in radical chemistry, have been developed in recent years. This review describes several key activation methods for Langlois' reagent in the difunctionalization of alkenes by showcasing selected cornerstone research areas and related mechanisms to stimulate the interest of readers in promoting the wider development and application of Langlois' reagent.

Hydroamination of Unactivated Alkenes with Aliphatic Azides

We report here an efficient and highly diastereoselective intermolecular anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of unactivated alkenes with aliphatic azides in the presence of silane. The system tolerates a wide range of azides and alkenes and operates with alkene as limiting reagent. Mechanistic studies suggest a radical chain pathway that involves aminium radical formation, radical addition to alkenes and HAT from silane to β-aminium alkyl radical. The use of sterically bulky silane is proposed to contribute to the excellent diastereoselectivity for HAT. Computational analysis uncovers the reaction pathway of aliphatic azide activation with silyl radical for aminyl radical formation.

The C(sp3)-H bond functionalization of thioethers with styrenes with insight into the mechanism

A metal-free inactive C(sp³)-H bond functionalization of thioethers with styrenes using TBHP as an initiator and DBU as a base has been developed. This transformation has broken through the low activity of thioethers and realized moderate yields. Herein extended experiments were conducted to confirm the radical relay process, reaction energy and intermediate transformations.

Catalytic Stereoconvergent Synthesis of Homochiral β-CF3, β-SCF3, and β-OCF3 Benzylic Alcohols

We describe an efficient catalytic strategy for enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of homochiral β-CF₃, β-SCF₃, and β-OCF₃ benzylic alcohols. The approach is based on dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) with Noyori–Ikariya asymmetric transfer hydrogenation leading to simultaneous construction of two contiguous stereogenic centers with up to 99.9% ee, up to 99.9:0.1 dr, and up to 99% isolated yield. The origin of the stereoselectivity and racemization mechanism of DKR is rationalized by density functional theory calculations. Applicability of the previously inaccessible chiral fluorinated alcohols obtained by this method in two directions is further demonstrated: As building blocks for pharmaceuticals, illustrated by the synthesis of heat shock protein 90 inhibitor with in vitro anticancer activity, and in particular, needle-shaped crystals of representative stereopure products that exhibit either elastic or plastic flexibility, which opens the door to functional materials based on mechanically responsive chiral molecular crystals.

Multicomponent reactions and photo/electrochemistry join forces: atom economy meets energy efficiency

Visible-light photoredox catalysis has been regarded as an extremely powerful tool in organic chemistry, bringing the spotlight back to radical processes. The versatility of photocatalyzed reactions has already been demonstrated to be effective in providing alternative routes for cross-coupling as well as multicomponent reactions. The photocatalyst allows the generation of high-energy intermediates through light irradiation rather than using highly reactive reagents or harsh reaction conditions. In a similar vein, organic electrochemistry has experienced a fruitful renaissance as a tool for generating reactive intermediates without the need for any catalyst. Such milder approaches pose the basis toward higher selectivity and broader applicability. In photocatalyzed and electrochemical multicomponent reactions, the generation of the radical species acts as a starter of the cascade of events. This allows for diverse reactivity and the use of reagents is usually not covered by classical methods. Owing to the availability of cheaper and more standardized photo- and electrochemical reactors, as well as easily scalable flow-setups, it is not surprising that these two fields have become areas of increased research interest. Keeping these in view, this review is aimed at providing an overview of the synthetic approaches in the design of MCRs involving photoredox catalysis and/or electrochemical activation as a crucial step with particular focus on the choice of the difunctionalized reagent.

Radical hydrotrifluoromethylation of ynamides: a route toward β-CF3 enamides

We report here a radical hydrotrifluoromethylation of ynamides to provide an alternative route toward β-CF3 enamides.

Metal-free photocatalytic intermolecular trifluoromethylation-gem-difluoroallylation of unactivated alkenes

An efficient, transition-metal-free, photocatalytic three-component intermolecular trifluoromethylation-gem-difluoroallylation of unactivated alkenes has been achieved.

Synthesis of N-CF3 hydrazines through radical trifluoromethylation of azodicarboxylates

We report here the synthesis of a novel family of N-CF₃ hydrazines from a direct way involving the available and cheap Langlois reagent (CF₃SO₂Na). These derivatives have shown very high stability whatever the conditions used and are excellent precursors for building previously inaccessible N-CF₃ functionalized compounds, such as substituted hydrazides, hydrazine-amino-acids, hydrazones, N-aziridines and pyrazoles.

Intermolecular trifluoromethyl-alkenylation of alkenes enabled by metal-free photoredox catalysis

A three-component and redox-neutral trifluoromethylative alkenylation of unactivated alkenes with β-nitrostyrenes has been developed under visible-light. This metal-free protocol utilizes the easy to handle Langlois reagent (CF3SO2Na) as the CF3 source and is suitable for various unactivated alkenes and β-nitrostyrenes, affording a series of trifluoromethylated aromatic alkenes under mild conditions in good to excellent yields.

Photocatalyst and additive-free visible light induced trifluoromethylation-arylation of N-arylacrylamides with Umemoto's reagent

A visible light induced highly convenient and practical method for the trifluoromethyl-arylation of N-arylmethacrylamides has been developed using Umemoto's reagent as the trifluoromethyl source. This user-friendly approach can proceed under visible light irradiation without any transition metal, photocatalyst and additive at room temperature. The strategy presented here provides access to trifluoromethylated oxindoles in good to excellent yields with a broad functional group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic experiments indicated that the reaction process involves a homolytic cleavage of Umemoto's reagent irradiated by visible light.

ZnI2-Catalyzed Aminotrifluoromethylation Cyclization of Alkenes Using PhICF3Cl

We report here an alternatively catalytic aminotrifluoromethylation of alkenes using PhICF₃Cl as a bifunctional reagent along with ZnI₂ as a dual catalyst. A combined catalytic strategy was established for the intramolecular aminotrifluoromethylation of 4-pentenamines. As a result, a set of 2-trifluoroethyl-pyrrolidines was obtained in a high selectivity. Mechanism studies revealed that the reaction included an iodine anion-catalyzed radical chlorotrifluoromethylation of alkenes and a sequential Lewis acid-promoted aminocyclization of the resulting chlorotrifluoromethylated intermediates.

Three-component photoredox 1,2-alkylamination of styrenes with alkanes and nitrogen nucleophiles via C(sp3)–H bond cleavage

A three-component photoredox 1,2-alkylamination of styrenes involving functionalization of C(sp3)–H bonds in alkyl halides instead of functionalization of C-halogen bonds is disclosed.

Transition-metal-free trifluoromethylative difunctionalization of olefins and alkynes: approaches and challenges ahead

Transition metal free trifluoromethylative difunctionalization of olefins and alkynes represents one of the most efficient methods to generate pharmaceutically and agrochemically important organofluoride compounds.

Stereoselective amination via vinyl-silver intermediates derived from silver-catalyzed carboxylative cyclization of propargylamine

The stereoselective synthesis of aminovinyloxazolidinones based on the electrophilic amination of a vinyl-silver intermediate, generated by silver-catalyzed carbon dioxide incorporation on a propargylamine, was achieved.