Metal-Free Visible-Light-Mediated Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Thiols with P(O)H Compounds Using Air as the Oxidant

A highly diastereoselective one-pot Ugi/radical spirocyclization/aza-Michael addition sequence

We hereby report a highly diastereoselective synthesis of chalcogenated azaspirotricycles via a one-pot Ugi/spirocyclization/aza-Michael addition sequence. The reaction proceeds via a key visible light mediated spirocyclization step under mild, metal-free and energy efficient conditions. A variety of complex sulfenylated and selenylated azaspirotricycles were obtained in good yields. The reaction was found to be scalable and preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the spirocyclization step proceeds via radical intermediates.

NaOAc-Assisted Aerobic Oxidation Protocol for the Synthesis of Pentacoordinate Chalcogenyl Spirophosphoranes with P-Se/P-S Bonds under Open Air

The NaOAc-assisted aerobic oxidation reaction of pentacoordinate hydrospirophosphoranes and dichalcogenyl compounds with open air as a green oxidant has been developed under mild conditions. A series of novel pentacoordinate spirophosphoranes with P-Se/P-S bonds were synthesized in excellent yields. The reaction mechanism was determined by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance tracing experiments, high-resolution mass spectrometry tracing experiments, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The method features a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and a high degree of atomic utilization and is meaningful for the synthesis of bioactive chalcogenphosphate compounds with chalcogen and phosphorus moieties.

Catalyst-free thiophosphorylation of in situ formed ortho-quinone methides

A metal-, chloride reagent and base-free thiophosphorylation reaction of in situ formed ortho-quinone methide (o-QM) to synthesize functionalized thiophosphates has been developed. The reaction is an atom-economical process, producing water as the sole byproduct. (EtO)₂P(O)SH functions as both a Brønsted acid and nucleophilic thiolate to produce the o-QM intermediate and the thiophosphate product, respectively. The aza o-QMs were also successfully thiophosphorylated in the presence of catalytic TsOH to form sulfonamido thiophosphates.

Visible-light-induced organophotocatalytic and singlet oxygen-initiated domino construction of 1,4-dihydropyridines, C-3 functionalized spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyridines] and C-11 functionalized spiro[indeno-[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,4'-pyridines]

A highly efficient pot, atom, and step economical method for the construction of pharmacologically potent structurally functionalized 1,4-dihydropyridines, quaternary centered C-3 functionalized spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyridines], and C-11 functionalized spiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,4'-pyridines] via rose bengal photoredox catalysis under blue LED irradiation in an aqueous medium at room temperature has been developed. The products were isolated in excellent yields within a short reaction time for a variety of functional groups under transition metal- and ligand-free energy-efficient conditions in a green solvent system with high reaction mass efficiency and process mass intensity, which are the key advantages of the current work.

Mechanochemical Electrophilic Mono- or Disulfur Transfer: Construction of P(O)-S or P(O)-S-S Bonds

Under mechanochemically induced conditions, a wide range of diarylphosphine oxides or H-phosphonates react with trisulfide dioxides to afford various thiophosphate derivatives in good yields. Selective S-S bond cleavage of trisulfide dioxides determined by connecting groups is proposed as the key step in the construction of P(O)-S or P(O)-S-S bonds, which is supported by calculations.

Metal-Free Regioselective Hydrophosphorodithioation of Spirovinylcyclopropyl Oxindoles: Rapid Access to Allyl Dialkylphosphorodithioates

Phosphorodithioates are important substructures due to their great use in bioactive compounds and functional materials. A metal-free 1,5-addition of spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindoles have been developed by choosing P₄S₁₀ and alcohol as nucleophiles through the regioselective ring-opening of spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindoles. This method provides access to allylic organothiophosphates with high efficiency, wide functional group tolerance, good chemo- and regioselectivity, and E-selectivity. 1,3-Addition products were also prepared in high yield. Furthermore, the resulting organothiophosphates could be readily transformed into other allylic derivatives.

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.

Blue LED-Promoted Syntheses of Phosphorothioates and Phosphorodithioates

An environmentally friendly and resourceful modular protocol for the synthesis of phosphorochalcogenoates, phosphorochalcogenothioates, and phosphinothioates under blue light-emitting diode irradiation is described. The blue LED-promoted P-S, P-Se, and P-Te bond constructions occurred under metal-free, ligand-free, oxidant-free, and photocatalyst-free conditions with minimum chemical waste generation and high atom economy providing the resulting phosphorochalcogenoates, phosphorochalcogenothioates, and phosphinothioates in good to excellent yields.

Direct and Efficient Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Allenyl organothiophosphates from Propargylic Alcohols under Catalyst- and Additive-Free Conditions

An environment-friendly approach that affords tetrasubstituted allenyl organothiophosphates containing highly congested carbon centers from easily prepared propargylic alcohols and phosphorothioic acids [(RO)2P(O)SH] with water as the only by-product is developed....

Bromide ion promoted practical synthesis of phosphinothioates of sulfinic acid derivatives and H-phosphine oxides

Herein, a method for the practical synthesis of thiophosphinates under metal free and open flask conditions is reported.

Oxidative cross-coupling of thiols for S-X (X = S, N, O, P, and C) bond formation: mechanistic aspects

This review focuses on the reactive intermediates (disulfides, sulfenyl halides, thiyl radicals, sulfenium cations, and metal-organosulfur species) and the mechanisms of the recently reported oxidative couplings of thiols. These intermediates are generated by chemical oxidants, transition metal catalysts, electrochemistry, and photochemistry. Chemical oxidant-mediated reactions involve radical, halogenated, or cationic intermediates, or disulfides. Transition metal-catalyzed mechanisms proposed various metal-organosulfur intermediates to elucidate the reactivity and selectivity of metal catalysts. In electro- and photooxidation, direct oxidation/reduction mechanisms of reactants at the electrode or indirect oxidation/reduction of reactants in the presence of redox catalysts have been reported. The following sections are based on the products, thiosulfonates (S-S bond), sulfenamides, sulfinamides, and sulfonamides (S-N bond), sulfinates (S-O bond), thiophosphine oxides and thiophosphates (S-P bond), and sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones (S-C bond) and discuss the reaction mechanisms and the above-mentioned key intermediates for product formation. The contents of this review will provide helpful information, guiding the choice of oxidative coupling conditions for the synthesis of various organosulfur compounds with high yields and selectivity.

Photoinduced Decarboxylative Phosphorothiolation of N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters

A visible-light-induced protocol for the synthesis of phosphorothioates is developed by employing the Ir-catalyzed decarboxylative phosphorothiolation of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters. This novel synthesis method utilizes carboxylic acids as raw material, which is stable, cheap, and commercially available. Scope studies show that this reaction has good compatibility of functional groups. Notably, both the synthesis of steric hindrance phosphorothioates and the later modification of some bioactive compounds are successfully achieved.

Copper-Catalyzed Multicomponent Trifluoromethylphosphorothiolation of Alkenes: Access to CF3-Containing Alkyl Phosphorothioates

An unprecedented copper-catalyzed multicomponent radical-based reaction involving alkenes, P(O)H compounds, sulfur powder, and Togni reagent II at room temperature has been developed. A variety of highly functionalized CF₃-containing S-alkyl phosphorothioates can be directly prepared from a wide range of activated and unactivated alkenes. Moreover, this protocol highlights its potential in the late-stage functionalization of complex molecules and opens up a new avenue for the construction of C(sp³)-S-P bonds.

Visible Light-Driven and Singlet Oxygen-Mediated Photochemical Cross-Dehydrogenative C3-H Sulfenylation of 4-Hydroxycoumarins with Thiols Using Rose Bengal as a Photosensitizer

A visible light (white light-emitting diode/direct sunlight)-driven photochemical synthesis of a new series of biologically interesting 3-(alkyl/benzylthio)-4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-ones has been achieved through a cross-dehydrogenative C₃-H sulfenylation of 4-hydroxycoumarins with thiols at ambient temperature in the presence of rose bengal in acetonitrile under an oxygen atmosphere. The notable features of this newly developed method are mild reaction conditions, energy efficiency, metal-free synthesis, good to excellent yields, use of low-cost materials, and eco-friendliness.

Visible light-induced aerobic dioxygenation of α,β-unsaturated amides/alkenes toward selective synthesis of β-oxy alcohols using rose bengal as a photosensitizer

The first visible light-induced aerobic dioxygenation of alkenes for the selective synthesis of β-oxy alcohols was developed using non-toxic rose bengal as a photosensitizer.

Visible-Light-Promoted Photoredox Dehydrogenative Coupling of Phosphines and Thiophenols

Herein, by applying visible-light photoredox catalysis, we have now achieved the first example of catalytic dehydrogenative coupling of phosphines and thiophenols that proceeds at room temperature. Key to our success is the use of benzaldehyde as a soft oxidant, which avoids the issue of phosphine oxidation. Furthermore, we observed the unexpected dealkylative coupling of secondary and tertiary alkylphosphine with thiophenols.

Recent applications of Rose Bengal catalysis in N-heterocycles: a short review

The visible light harnessing ability of Rose Bengal, an organic dye, has been extensively employed in organic chemistry over the last few years. In visible light mediated reactions, this photoredox catalyst operates through multiple pathways and has the ability to provide distinctly different and valuable results. The most significant of these results are bond creation, bond functionalization, particularly for C–H and C–heteroatom bonds, and cross couplings. It is crucial to study these cases whenever these bond formations and couplings lead to the formation of heterocyclic compounds or their functionalization. The diverse biological activity and medicinal applications of heterocyclic compounds is an extensively explored area. This review primarily attempts to demonstrate the synthetic potential of Rose Bengal for synthesis and site selective functionalization of nitrogen containing heterocycles.

The recent applications of Rose Bengal as a photocatalyst for the synthesis and functionalization of N-heterocycles have been discussed.

Metal-free dehydrosulfurization of thioamides to nitriles under visible light

A visible light-mediated dehydrosulfurization of thioamides to nitriles is demonstrated, using an organic dye as a photocatalyst and air as an oxidant.

Aerobic C(sp3)–H oxidation and oxygenation of quaternarized quinolines and pyridines by visible-light-induced photocatalysis

One stone two birds: two kinds of oxygenation products (>60 new products) including carboxylate inner salts and alcohols have been accessed under mild aerobic photocatalysis.

Visible-light-driven metal-free aerobic synthesis of highly diastereoselective phosphinoylpyrroloindoles

A tandem C–P and C–C bond formation promoted by visible light at room temperature in a highly diastereoselective manner is described.

Highly atom-economical, catalyst-free, and solvent-free phosphorylation of chalcogenides

Silica gel promoted, catalyst-free and solvent-free S-P, Se-P and Te-P bond formations are described. A variety of disulfides coupled with diarylphosphine oxides provide the corresponding phosphinothioates in excellent yields. For the first time, diselenides and ditellurides reacted with dialkyl phosphites under catalyst-free conditions to provide the corresponding phosphoroselenoates and phosphorotelluroates, respectively, in good to excellent yields.

Recent advances in the direct functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

The direct C3-functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via C-H bond activation has recently attracted considerable attention, due to their diverse biological activities and chemical properties. This review will focus on the recent achievements, mainly including arylation, alkylation, acylation, alkoxycarbonylation, amination, amidation and phosphonation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones. Their mechanisms are also discussed.

Visible-light mediated sulfonylation of thiols via insertion of sulfur dioxide

Photocatalytically generated sulfenyl radicals were coupled with arylsulfonyl radicals at room temperature for accessing unsymmetrical organic thiosulfonates.

Stepwise photosensitized C(sp3)–C(CO) bond cleavage and C–P bond formation of 1,3-dicarbonyls with arylphosphine oxides

A visible-light-induced metal-free cascade radical reaction of chemoselective C–C bond cleavage with a C–P bond formation was discovered to obtain β-ketophosphine oxides.