Visible-Light-Mediated Access to Phosphate Esters

The Photoredox Paradox: Electron and Hole Upconversion as the Hidden Secrets of Photoredox Catalysis

Although photoredox catalysis is complex from a mechanistic point of view, it is also often surprisingly efficient. In fact, the quantum efficiency of a puzzlingly large portion of photoredox reactions exceeds 100% (i.e., the measured quantum yields (QYs) are >1). Hence, these photoredox reactions can be more than perfect with respect to photon utilization. In several documented cases, a single absorbed photon can lead to the formation of >100 molecules of the product, behavior known to originate from chain processes. In this Perspective, we explore the underlying reasons for this efficiency, identify the nature of common catalytic chains, and highlight the differences between HAT and SET chains. Our goal is to show why chains are especially important in photoredox catalysis and where the thermodynamic driving force that sustains the SET catalytic cycles comes from. We demonstrate how the interplay of polar and radical processes can activate hidden catalytic pathways mediated by electron and hole transfer (i.e., electron and hole catalysis). Furthermore, we illustrate how the phenomenon of redox upconversion serves as a thermodynamic precondition for electron and hole catalysis. After discussing representative mechanistic puzzles, we analyze the most common bond forming steps, where redox upconversion frequently occurs (and issometimes unavoidable). In particular, we highlight the importance of 2-center-3-electron bonds as a recurring motif that allows a rational chemical approach to the design of redox upconversion processes.

Recent Advances in the Application of P(III)-Nucleophiles to Create New P-C Bonds through Michaelis-Arbuzov-Type Rearrangement

Organophosphorus compounds have long been considered valuable in both organic synthesis and life science. P(III)-nucleophiles, such as phosphites, phosphonites, and diaryl/alkyl phosphines, are particularly noteworthy as phosphorylation reagents for their ability to form new P-C bonds, producing more stable, ecofriendly, and cost-effective organophosphorus compounds. These nucleophiles follow similar phosphorylation routes as in the functionalization of P-H bonds and P-OH bonds. Activation can occur through photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, or thermo-driven reactions, often in coordination with a Michaelis-Arbuzov-trpe rearrangement process, to produce the desired products. As such, this review offers a thorough overview of the phosphorylated transformation and potential mechanisms of P(III)-nucleophiles, specifically focusing on developments since 2010. Notably, this review may provide researchers with valuable insights into designing and synthesizing functionalized organophosphorus compounds from P(III)-nucleophiles, guiding future advancements in both research and practical applications.

Identification of Alkoxy Radicals as Hydrogen Atom Transfer Agents in Ce-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization

The intermediacy of alkoxy radicals in cerium-catalyzed C-H functionalization via H-atom abstraction has been unambiguously confirmed. Catalytically relevant Ce(IV)-alkoxide complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Operando electron paramagnetic resonance and transient absorption spectroscopy experiments on isolated pentachloro Ce(IV) alkoxides identified alkoxy radicals as the sole heteroatom-centered radical species generated via ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) excitation. Alkoxy-radical-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) has been verified via kinetic analysis, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and reactions under strictly chloride-free conditions. These experimental findings unambiguously establish the critical role of alkoxy radicals in Ce-LMCT catalysis and definitively preclude the involvement of chlorine radical. This study has also reinforced the necessity of a high relative ratio of alcohol vs Ce for the selective alkoxy-radical-mediated HAT, as seemingly trivial changes in the relative ratio of alcohol vs Ce can lead to drastically different mechanistic pathways. Importantly, the previously proposed chlorine radical-alcohol complex, postulated to explain alkoxy-radical-enabled selectivities in this system, has been examined under scrutiny and ruled out by regioselectivity studies, transient absorption experiments, and high-level calculations. Moreover, the peculiar selectivity of alkoxy radical generation in the LMCT homolysis of Ce(IV) heteroleptic complexes has been analyzed and back-electron transfer (BET) may have regulated the efficiency and selectivity for the formation of ligand-centered radicals.

Visible-Light-Initiated Multicomponent Reactions of α-Diazoesters to Access Organophosphorus Compounds

A simple visible-light-initiated strategy has been established for the construction of organophosphorus compounds via aerobic multicomponent reaction of α-diazoesters, cyclic ethers, and P(O)H compounds under air. A number of phosphonates and phosphinates could be efficiently isolated in moderate to good yields without the use of photosensitizers and metal reagents. This multicomponent reaction has advantages of mild condition, simple operation, eco-friendly energy, good functional-group tolerance, and gram-scale synthesis.

Visible-Light Mediated Arbuzov-Like Reaction with Thiophenols

We hereby disclose, a visible light mediated addition of sulfenyl radicals to trialkyl phosphites to access functionalized phosphorothioates. The use of cheap and readily available Eosin Y as a photocatalyst under mild energy efficient conditions bypassing the use of external oxidants forms the chief highlight of the work. The protocol is scalable and mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds through an ionic-Arbuzov like pathway from phosphoranyl radicals.

Photoinitiated Multicomponent Anti-Markovnikov Alkoxylation over Graphene Oxide

The development of graphene oxide–based heterogeneous materials with an economical and environmentally–friendly manner has the potential to facilitate many important organic transformations but proves to have few relevant reported reactions. Herein, we explore the synergistic role of catalytic systems driven by graphene oxide and visible light that form nucleophilic alkoxyl radical intermediates, which enable an anti-Markovnikov addition exclusively to the terminal alkenes, and then the produced benzyl radicals are subsequently added with N–methylquinoxalones. This photoinduced cascade radical difunctionalization of olefins offers a concise and applicable protocol for constructing alkoxyl–substituted N–methylquinoxalones.

Highly Efficient Production of Heteroarene Phosphonates by Dichromatic Photoredox Catalysis

A new strategy to achieve efficient aerobic phosphorylation of five-membered heteraroenes with excellent yields using dichromatic photoredox catalysis in a gel-based nanoreactor is described here. The procedure involves visible aerobic irradiation (cold white LEDs) of a mixture containing the heteroarene halide, trisubstituted phospite, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) as sacrificial agent, and catalytic amounts of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) in the presence of an adequate gelator, which permits a faster process than at the homogeneous phase. The methodology, which operates by a consecutive photoinduced electron transfer (ConPET) mechanism, has been successfully applied to the straightforward and clean synthesis of a number of different heteroarene (furan, thiophene, selenophene, pyrrole, oxazole, or thioxazole) phosphonates, extending to the late-stage phosphonylation of the anticoagulant rivaroxaban. Strategically, employment of cold white light is critical since it provides both selective wavelengths for exciting first DCA (blue region) and subsequently its corresponding radical anion DCA^•- (green region). The resultant strongly reducing excited agent DCA^•-* is capable of even activate five-membered heteroarene halides (Br, Cl) with high reduction potentials (∼-2.7 V) to effect the C(sp²)-P bond formation. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies have supported the proposed reaction mechanism. Interestingly, the rate of product formation has been clearly enhanced in gel media because reactants can be presumably localized not only in the solvent pools but also through to the fibers of the viscoelastic gel network. This has been confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy images where a marked densification of the network has been observed, modifying its fibrillary morphology. Finally, rheological measurements have shown the resistance of the gel network to the incorporation of the reactants and the formation of the desired products.

Alkoxy Radicals See the Light: New Paradigms of Photochemical Synthesis

Alkoxy radicals are highly reactive species that have long been recognized as versatile intermediates in organic synthesis. However, their development has long been impeded due to a lack of convenient methods for their generation. Thanks to advances in photoredox catalysis, enabling facile access to alkoxy radicals from bench-stable precursors and free alcohols under mild conditions, research interest in this field has been renewed. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in alkoxy radical-mediated transformations under visible light irradiation. Elementary steps for alkoxy radical generation from either radical precursors or free alcohols are central to reaction development; thus, each section is categorized and discussed accordingly. Throughout this review, we have focused on the different mechanisms of alkoxy radical generation as well as their impact on synthetic utilizations. Notably, the catalytic generation of alkoxy radicals from abundant alcohols is still in the early stage, providing intriguing opportunities to exploit alkoxy radicals for diverse synthetic paradigms.

Radical hydroxymethylation of alkyl iodides using formaldehyde as a C1 synthon

Radical hydroxymethylation using formaldehyde as a C1 synthon is challenging due to the reversible and endothermic nature of the addition process. Here we report a strategy that couples alkyl iodide building blocks with formaldehyde through the use of photocatalysis and a phosphine additive. Halogen-atom transfer (XAT) from α-aminoalkyl radicals is leveraged to convert the iodide into the corresponding open-shell species, while its following addition to formaldehyde is rendered irreversible by trapping the transient O-radical with PPh₃. This event delivers a phosphoranyl radical that re-generates the alkyl radical and provides the hydroxymethylated product.

Halogen-atom transfer (XAT) based on phosphoranyl radical chemistry enables the hydroxymethylation of alkyl iodides with formaldehyde.

Photocatalyst- and Transition-Metal-Free Visible-Light-Promoted Intramolecular C(sp2)-S Formation

A photocatalyst- and transition-metal-free visible-light-induced cyclization of ortho-halothiobenzanilides has been developed. Upon irradiation with visible light, substrates undergo dehalogenative cyclization to 2-aryl benzothiazoles with high efficiency and selectivity. This photocyclization exhibits a high tolerance to various functional groups, is applicable for the synthesis of 2-alkyl benzothiazoles, and is easy to set up for gram-scale reaction.

Visible light photocatalysis in the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceutically relevant compounds

The late stage functionalization (LSF) of complex biorelevant compounds is a powerful tool to speed up the identification of structure-activity relationships (SARs) and to optimize ADME profiles. To this end, visible-light photocatalysis offers unique opportunities to achieve smooth and clean functionalization of drugs by unlocking site-specific reactivities under generally mild reaction conditions. This review offers a critical assessment of current literature, pointing out the recent developments in the field while emphasizing the expected future progress and potential applications. Along with paragraphs discussing the visible-light photocatalytic synthetic protocols so far available for LSF of drugs and drug candidates, useful and readily accessible synoptic tables of such transformations, divided by functional groups, will be provided, thus enabling a useful, fast, and easy reference to them.

A case of chain propagation: α-aminoalkyl radicals as initiators for aryl radical chemistry

The generation of aryl radicals from the corresponding halides by redox chemistry is generally considered a difficult task due to their highly negative reduction potentials. Here we demonstrate that α-aminoalkyl radicals can be used as both initiators and chain-carriers for the radical coupling of aryl halides with pyrrole derivatives, a transformation often employed to evaluate new highly reducing photocatalysts. This mode of reactivity obviates for the use of strong reducing species and was also competent in the formation of sp² C-P bonds. Mechanistic studies have delineated some of the key features operating that trigger aryl radical generation and also propagate the chain process.

Phosphoranyl Radical Fragmentation Reactions Driven by Photoredox Catalysis

Photocatalytic generation of phosphoranyl radicals is fast emerging as an essential method for the generation of diverse and valuable radicals, typically via deoxygenation or desulfurization processes. This Perspective is a comprehensive evaluation of all studies using phosphoranyl radicals as tunable mediators in photoredox catalysis, highlighting how two distinct methods for phosphoranyl radical formation (radical addition and nucleophilic addition) can be used to generate versatile radical intermediates with diverse reactivity profiles.