Dirhodium(II)-Catalyzed (3 + 2) Cycloaddition of the N-Arylaminocyclopropane with Alkene Derivatives

Iron(II)-Catalyzed Radical [3 + 2] Cyclization of N-Aryl Cyclopropylamines for the Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Cyclopentylamines

A facile iron(II)-catalyzed radical [3 + 2] cyclization of N-aryl cyclopropylamines with various alkenes to access the structurally polyfunctionalized cyclopentylamine scaffolds has been developed. Using low-cost FeCl2·4H2O as catalyst, N-aryl cyclopropylamines could be utilized to react with a wide range of alkenes including exocyclic/acyclic terminal alkenes, cycloalkenes, alkenes from the natural-occurring compounds (Alantolactone, Costunolide), and known drugs (Ibuprofen, l-phenylalanine, Flurbiprofen) to obtain a variety of cyclopentylamines fused with different useful motifs in generally good yields and diastereoselectivities. The highlight of this protocol is also featured by no extra oxidant, no base, EtOH as the solvent, gram-scale synthesis, and further diverse transformations of the synthetic products. More importantly, an iron(II)-mediated hydrogen radical dissociation pathway was proposed based on the mechanism research experiments.

Formal Cycloadditions Driven by the Homolytic Opening of Strained, Saturated Ring Systems

The field of strain-driven, radical formal cycloadditions is experiencing a surge in activity motivated by a renaissance in free radical chemistry and growing demand for sp³ -rich ring systems. The former has been driven in large part by the rise of photoredox catalysis, and the latter by adoption of the "Escape from Flatland" concept in medicinal chemistry. In the years since these broader trends emerged, dozens of formal cycloadditions, including catalytic, asymmetric variants, have been developed that operate via radical mechanisms. While cyclopropanes have been studied most extensively, a variety of strained ring systems are amenable to the design of analogous reactions. Many of these processes generate lucrative, functionally decorated sp³ -rich ring systems that are difficult to access by other means. Herein, we summarize recent efforts in this area and analyze the state of the field.

Photochemical Intermolecular [3σ + 2σ]-Cycloaddition for the Construction of Aminobicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes

The development of synthetic strategies for the preparation of bioisosteric compounds is a demanding undertaking in medicinal chemistry. Numerous strategies have been developed for the synthesis of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs), bridge-substituted BCPs, and bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes. However, progress on the synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes, which serve as meta-substituted arene bioisosteres, has not been previously explored. Herein, we disclose the first photoinduced [3σ + 2σ] cycloaddition for the synthesis of trisubstituted bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes using bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes and cyclopropylamines. This transformation not only uses mild and operationally simple conditions but also provides unique meta-substituted arene bioisosteres. The applicability of this method is showcased by simple derivatization reactions.

Diboron(4)-Catalyzed Remote [3+2] Cycloaddition of Cyclopropanes via Dearomative/Rearomative Radical Transmission through Pyridine

Ring structures such as pyridine, cyclopentane or their combinations are important motifs in bioactive molecules. In contrast to previous cycloaddition reactions that necessitated a directly bonded initiating functional group, this work demonstrated a novel through-(hetero)arene radical transmission concept for selective activation of a remote bond. An efficient, metal-free and atom-economical [3+2] cycloaddition between 4-pyridinyl cyclopropanes and alkenes or alkynes has been developed for modular synthesis of pyridine-substituted cyclopentanes, cyclopentenes and bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes that are difficult to access using known methods. This complexity-building reaction was catalyzed by a very simple and inexpensive diboron(4) compound and took place via dearomative/rearomative processes. The substrate scope was broad and more than 100 new compounds were prepared in generally high yields. Mechanistic experiments and density function theory (DFT) investigation supported a radical relay catalytic cycle involving alkylidene dihydropyridine radical intermediates and boronyl radical transfer.

Visible-Light Organophotoredox-Mediated [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Arylcyclopropylamine with Structurally Diverse Olefins for the Construction of Cyclopentylamines and Spiro[4.n] Skeletons

We developed a visible-light-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition of arylcyclopropylamine with structurally diverse olefins using QXPT-NPh as a highly efficient organic photoredox catalyst. We first achieved the use of various alkyl-substituted alkenes in intermolecular [3 + 2] cycloadditions with cyclopropylamine. We also developed a general and efficient strategy for the construction of structurally diverse cyclopentane-based spiro[4.n] skeletons with 1,3-difunctional groups, which broadly exist in natural products and synthetic molecules. Furthermore, we proposed a hydrogen-bond mode between the arylcyclopropylamine and the photocatalyst QXPT-NPh.

P/N-Heteroleptic Cu(I)-Photosensitizer-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Regiospecific Annulation of Aminocyclopropanes and Functionalized Alkynes

We report here a regiospecific [3 + 2] annulation between aminocyclopropanes and various functionalized alkynes enabled by a P/N-heteroleptic Cu(I) photosensitizer under photoredox catalysis conditions. Thus, a divergent construction of 3-aminocyclopentene derivatives including methylsulfonyl-, arylsulfonyl-, chloro-, ester-, and trifluoromethyl-functionalized aminocyclopentenes could be achieved with advantages of high regioselectivity, broad substrate compatibility, and mild and environmentally benign reaction conditions.

Activation of aminocyclopropanes via radical intermediates

Aminocyclopropanes are versatile building blocks for accessing high value-added nitrogen-containing products. To control ring-opening promoted by ring strain, the Lewis acid activation of donor-acceptor substituted systems is now well established. Over the last decade, alternative approaches have emerged proceeding via the formation of radical intermediates, alleviating the need for double activation of the cyclopropanes. This tutorial review summarizes key concepts and recent progress in ring-opening transformations of aminocyclopropanes via radical intermediates, divided into formal cycloadditions and 1,3-difunctionalizations.

Light-Promoted Low-Valent-Tungsten-Catalyzed Ambient Temperature Amination of Boronic Acids with Nitroaromatics

Triggering C-N bond formation with nitroaromatics and boronic acids at mild conditions is highly desirable, since most prior works were carried out under harsh conditions and sometimes suffered from poor chemo- or regioselectivity. Herein, a low-valent-tungsten-catalyzed reaction that enables the ambient temperature amination of boronic acids with nitroaromatics is disclosed. With readily available W(CO)₆ as a precatalyst under external-photosensitizer-free conditions, nitroaromatics smoothly undergo C-N coupling reactions with their boronic acid partners, delivering structurally diverse secondary amines in good yields (>50 examples, yields up to 96%). This methodology is both scalable and highly chemoselective and engages both aliphatic and aromatic boronic acid partners. The catalysis is initiated by the deoxygenation of nitroaromatics by a trans-[W(CO)₄(PPh₃)₂] (trans-W, PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine) complex, which forms in situ via ligand replacement.

Dirhodium(ii)-catalyzed diamination reaction via a free radical pathway

Unlike C–N bond formation through the well-known dirhodium(ii)-nitrenoid pathway, dirhodium(ii)-catalyzed 1,2- and 1,3-diamination reactions are realized by a free radical mechanism.

Synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes by (3 + 2) annulation of cyclopropenes with aminocyclopropanes

We report the convergent synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes possessing an all-carbon quaternary center via a (3 + 2) annulation of cyclopropenes with cyclopropylanilines. Using an organic or an iridium photoredox catalyst and blue LED irradiation, good yields were obtained for a broad range of cyclopropene and cyclopropylaniline derivatives. The reaction was highly diastereoselective when using difluorocyclopropenes together with a removable substituent on the cyclopropylaniline, giving access to important building blocks for medicinal chemistry. With efficient methods existing for the synthesis of both reaction partners, our method grants a fast access to highly valuable bicyclic scaffolds with three contiguous stereocenters.

Mild and Practical Dirhodium(II)/NHPI-Mediated Allylic and Benzylic Oxidations with Air as the Oxidant

Aerobic allylic and benzylic oxidations catalyzed by dirhodium(II) complexes with N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) are described. The open flask reaction occurs at mild temperature, using air as the oxidant. Mechanistic studies suggest that dirhodium(II) complexes axially coordinate with NHPI to activate the O-H bond in NHPI and decrease the bond-dissociation energy (BDE).

Development of N-Cyclopropylanilines to Probe the Oxidative Properties of Triplet-State Photosensitizers

Anilines have been shown to be especially susceptible to single-electron oxidation by excited triplet-state photosensitizers (³sens*), and thus, are good potential candidates to probe the oxidative properties of triplet-state chromophoric dissolved organic matter (³CDOM*). However, steady-state experiments tend to underestimate their rate of oxidation by ³CDOM* due to radical cation quenching (i.e., aniline^•+ → aniline) by antioxidant moieties present in DOM. We envisioned the potential utility of N-cyclopropylaniline (CPA) to overcome this limitation, as it is known to undergo spontaneous, irreversible cyclopropyl ring-opening after an initial single-electron oxidation. To test this, first a set of CPA analogs was synthesized and then paired with a model sensitizer and antioxidant, or various DOM isolates, to examine their reactivity and susceptibility to antioxidant quenching during steady-state photolysis experiments. Next, time-resolved measurements of CPA and CPA analog oxidation were obtained by laser flash photolysis through direct observation of ³sens* and radical cations of CPA and CPA analogs. Finally, CPA photolysis products were isolated by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Outcomes of this work, including oxidation bimolecular rate constants of CPA and CPA analogs (∼9 × 10⁸ to 4 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1), radical cation lifetimes of CPA and its analogs (140-580 ns), and identified ring-opened products, support the usefulness of cyclopropylanilines as single-electron transfer probes in photosensitized aqueous solutions.

Dirhodium(II)-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-arylaminocyclopropane with alkyne derivatives

Dirhodium(II) complex-catalyzed [3 + 2] reactions between N-arylaminocyclopropanes and alkyne derivatives are described. The cycloaddition products proved to be versatile synthetic intermediates. trans-Cyclic β-amino acids and derivatives thereof can be conveniently synthesized using this cycloaddition protocol.