A General Electron Donor-Acceptor Photoactivation Platform of Diaryliodonium Reagents: Arylation of Heterocycles

Visible Light-Induced Electron-Donor-Acceptor-Mediated C-3 Coupling of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with Unactivated Aryl Iodides

Visible light-induced C-3 arylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with abundantly available aryl iodides with good yields via an electron-donor-acceptor (EDA)-complex formation have been accomplished. The radical scavenging, Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), UV-visible experiments, density functional theory (DFT), and quantum yield studies revealed that the reaction went through a radical pathway via a single electron transfer (SET) process. Furthermore, the protocol could also be applied to the synthesis of biologically active molecules, illustrating the practicality of the present protocol.

Sulfur-Promoted Access to 3-Arylquinoxalin-2-ones by Oxidative Coupling of o-Phenylenediamines with Arylacetates

We disclose the synthesis of 3-arylquinoxalin-2-ones from o-phenylenediamines and readily available arylacetates. The method harnesses the selective oxidative property of elemental sulfur in the presence of amine base catalyst and DMSO. The reactions are operationally simple and tolerate a wide range of functional groups.

Synthesis of Nonclassical Heteroaryl C-Glycosides via Decarboxylative C-H Glycosylation

A photoredox-promoted decarboxylative C-H glycosylation for the synthesis of nonclassical heteroaryl C-glycosides is reported. This methodology is characterized by an exceedingly simple reaction system, high diastereoselectivity, and good functional group tolerance. Moreover, the operational procedure is simple, and the gram-scale reaction highlights the practical applicability of this protocol.

Visible-Light-Promoted Radical Cascade Sulfone Alkylation/Cyclization of 2-Isocyanoaryl Thioethers Enabled by Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex Formation

A photo-induced cascade sulfone alkylation/cyclization of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers is explored. This visible-light-triggered reaction not only occurs under extremely mild reaction conditions but also does not require the presence of a photosensitizer. The photocatalytic process is triggered by the photochemical activity of in situ-generated electron donor-acceptor complexes, arising from the association of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers and α-iodosulfones. The radical pathway was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, radical trapping, Job's plot, and on/off irradiation experiments.

Exogenous photocatalyst-free aryl radical generation from diaryliodonium salts and use in metal-catalyzed C-H arylation

We demonstrate (1) detectable halogen bonding is not critical for enabling light-driven radical generation from diaryliodonium salts and (2) radicals generated by this route can be captured by transition-metals for C-H arylation reactions. These results are the first step toward developing new metal-catalyzed aryl radical couplings without exogenous photocatalysts.

Auxiliary strategy for the general and practical synthesis of diaryliodonium(III) salts with diverse organocarboxylate counterions

Diaryliodonium(III) salts are versatile reagents that exhibit a range of reactions, both in the presence and absence of metal catalysts. In this study, we developed efficient synthetic methods for the preparation of aryl(TMP)iodonium(III) carboxylates, by reaction of (diacetoxyiodo)arenes or iodosoarenes with 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene in the presence of a diverse range of organocarboxylic acids. These reactions were conducted under mild conditions using the trimethoxyphenyl (TMP) group as an auxiliary, without the need for additives, excess reagents, or counterion exchange in further steps. These protocols are compatible with a wide range of substituents on (hetero)aryl iodine(III) compounds, including electron-rich, electron-poor, sterically congested, and acid-labile groups, as well as a broad range of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids for the synthesis of diverse aryl(TMP)iodonium(III) carboxylates in high yields. This method allows for the hybridization of complex bioactive and fluorescent-labeled carboxylic acids with diaryliodonium(III) salts.

Paired Electrolysis-Enabled Arylation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

The first paired electrolysis-enabled arylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was achieved using cyanoarenes as the arylation reagents. A variety of 3-arylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with various important functional groups were obtained in moderate to good yields under metal- and chemical oxidant-free conditions. With a pair of reductive and oxidative processes occurring among the substrates and reaction intermediates, the power consumption can be dramatically reduced.

(Indol-3-yl)(DMIX)Iodonium Salts: Novel Electrophilic Indole Reagents

A new umpolung approach to the C3-H functionalization of indoles with diverse nucleophiles based on the intermediate formation of I(III) reagents is described. The 3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl auxiliary allows for selective indole transfer under catalyst-free conditions, which was impossible using previously reported reagents. Combining the mildness of transition-metal-free conditions and the high reactivity of hypervalent iodine reagents, this protocol tolerates various functional groups and provides access to indoles that are difficult to prepare conventionally.

Visible Light-Induced Imide Alkylation of Azauracils with Aryl Diazoesters

A visible light-induced green and sustainable N-H functionalization of (aza)uracils with α-diazo esters leading to imide alkylation is described. The reaction does not require any catalyst or additive and proceeds under mild conditions. Moreover, an intriguing three component coupling was observed when (aza)uracils were allowed to react with α-diazo esters in cyclic ethers (e. g. 1,4-dioxane, THF) as a solvent. Both the insertion and three-component coupling features broad scope with good to excellent yields and appreciable functional group tolerance. Notably, the divergent method enables modification of natural products and pharmaceuticals, thereby facilitates access to potentially biologically active compounds.