Heteroannulation of N-Fluoro-N-alkylsulfonamides with Terminal Alkynes via Remote C(sp3)–H Functionalization

Divergent [2 + n] Heteroannulation of β-CF3-1,3-enynes with Alkyl Azides via Hydrogen Atom Transfer and Radical Substitution

A copper-promoted divergent intermolecular [2 + n] heteroannulation of β-CF3-1,3-enynes with alkyl azides via alkyl radical-driven HAT and radical substitution (C-C bond formation) to form four- to ten-membered saturated N-heterocycles is developed. This method enables the aryl-induced or kinetically controlled site selective functionalization of the remote C(sp3)-H bonds at positions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 toward the nitrogen atom through triplet nitrene formation, radical addition across the C═C bond, HAT and radical substitution cascades, and features a broad substrate scope, excellent site selectivity, and facile late-stage derivatization of bioactive molecules. Initial deuterium-labeling and control experiments shed light on the reaction mechanism via nitrene formation and HAT.

Aryldiazonium Salt-Triggered [2 + 2 + 1] Heteroannulation of Indoles by an Arylhydrazone Radical-Relayed 1,5-Hydrogen Atom Transfer

An unprecedented three-component [2 + 2 + 1] annulation cascade of indoles with aryldiazonium salts and polyhalomethanes or acetone is presented by dual hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and C-H functionalization. By employing readily accessible aryldiazonium salts as the radical initiators and electrophiles and polyhalomethanes and acetone as the C1 units, this method unprecedentedly constructs a pyrazole ring on an indole ring skeleton through the formation of two C-N bonds and a C-C bond in a single reaction.

Fluoroamide-Directed Regiodivergent C-Alkylation of Nitroalkanes

Herein, by exploiting different activation modes of fluoroamides, we achieved α- and δ-C(sp³)-H alkylation of nitroalkanes with switchable regioselectivity. Cu catalysis enabled the interception of a distal C-centered radical by a N-centered radical to couple nitroalkanes and unactivated δ-C-H bonds. In addition, imines generated in situ by fluoroamides were trapped by nitroalkanes to realize the α-C-H alkylation of amides. Both of those scalable protocols have broad substrate scopes and good functional group tolerance.

B(C6F5)3-catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H alkylation of tertiary amines with 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones

The β-C-H functionalization of amines is one of the most powerful tools for the synthesis of saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles in organic synthesis. However, the β-C-H functionalization of amines via redox-neutral addition with cyclic-ketimines is still unprecedented. Herein, the β-C-H functionalization of tertiary amines is described, providing the corresponding 1,3-diamines containing the indolin-3-one moiety in high yields via the B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed borrowing hydrogen strategy. According to the experimental results, a possible catalytic cycle has been proposed to rationalize the process of this reaction. Notably, the β-C-H alkylation of amines is external oxidant- and transition-metal-free, which makes a significant contribution to promoting economical chemical synthesis.

N-Fluorobenzamide-Directed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction with Maleic Anhydride: Access to Fluorescent Aminonaphthalic Anhydrides

We have developed a formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of N-fluorobenzamides and maleic anhydride in the presence of CuI and LiOH, and a series of fluorescent 1-amino-2,3-naphthalic anhydrides were produced in good yields. This reaction proceeded via a multistep process involving nitrogen-centered radical generation, 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer, and benzylic radical addition to the amide carbonyl oxygen to generate an N-(tert-butyl) isobenzofuran-1(3H)-imine intermediate, which isomerized to an N-(tert-butyl) isobenzofuran-1-amine via deprotonation and protonation with the aid of LiOH; finally, the amine underwent a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction with maleic anhydride to give the 1-amino-2,3-naphthalic anhydride product upon dehydrating aromatization. Notably, the corresponding naphthalic anhydride products could be transformed into a diverse array of naphthalimides. Both the naphthalic anhydrides and the naphthalimides exhibited similar fluorescent features.

Photoinduced Remote C(sp3)-H Cyanation and Oxidation Enabled by a Vinyl Radical-Mediated 1,5-HAT Strategy

We report a vinyl radical-mediated 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (1,5-HAT) strategy for the remote C(sp³)-H functionalization reaction, which includes cyanation, oxidation, and etherification under visible-light-induced photochemical conditions. This reaction is achieved using readily available alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters as radical precursors, which can efficiently react with diverse alkynes to form key vinyl radical intermediates followed by a 1,5-HAT process. A series of structurally diverse γ-cyano, γ-carbonyl, and γ-oxygenated alkenes with excellent stereoselectivity can be efficiently constructed by this synthetic protocol.

[3+2] Cycloaddition of alkyl aldehydes and alkynes enabled by photoinduced hydrogen atom transfer

[3+2] Cycloaddition is a step- and atom-economic method for the synthesis of five-membered rings. Despite the great success of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, the radical [3+2] annulation of alkynes remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a photoinduced decatungstate-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of various internal alkynes using abundant aliphatic aldehydes as a three-carbon synthon is developed, producing elaborate cyclopentanones in 100% atom economy with excellent site-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity under mild conditions. The catalytic cycle consists of hydrogen atom abstraction from aldehydes, radical addition, 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer, anti-Baldwin 5-endo-trig cyclization, and back hydrogen abstraction. The power of this method is showcased by the late-stage elaboration of medicinally relevant molecules and total or formal synthesis of (±)-β-cuparenone, (±)-laurokamurene B, and (±)-cuparene.

In contrast to the prevalence of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, radical [3+2] annulations of alkynes are underexplored. Here, the authors describe [3+2] cycloadditions of various internal alkynes with readily accessible aliphatic aldehydes via photoinduced decatungstate catalysis.

Azetidine synthesis enabled by photo-induced copper-catalysis via [3+1] radical cascade cyclization

Azetidines are an important type of saturated, highly strained, four-membered, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound. These compounds serve as important raw materials, intermediates, and catalysts in organic synthesis, as well as important active units in amino acids, alkaloids, and pharmaceutically active compounds. Thus, the development of an efficient and concise method to construct azetidines is of great significance in multiple disciplines. In this work, we reported on the photo-induced copper-catalyzed radical annulation of aliphatic amines with alkynes to produce azetidines. This reaction occurred in a two- or three-component manner. The alkynes efficiently captured photogenerated α-aminoalkyl radicals, forming vinyl radicals, which initiated tandem 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer and 4-exo-trig cyclization. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the tertiary radical intermediate was critical for the success of cyclization. In addition, the resulting saturated azetidine scaffolds possessed vicinal tertiary-quaternary and even quaternary-quaternary centers.

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Azetidines, four-membered N-heterocyclic compounds, are valuable targets for synthesis

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The first [3 + 1] cyclization approach is enabled by visible-light-induced copper catalysis

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This atom economic synthesis is characterized by double C-H activation

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This technology features operational simplicity, cheap catalyst, and broad substrate scope

Cu(II)-Catalyzed N-Directed Distal C(sp3)-H Heteroarylation of Aliphatic N-Fluorosulfonamides

A copper-catalyzed δ-regioselective C(sp³)-H heteroarylation of N-fluorosulfonamides has been developed. A broad range of heteroarenes were well tolerated and reacted with various N-fluorosulfonamides to give the corresponding heteroarylated amides in good yields. Notably, all types (1°, 2°, and 3°) of δ-C(sp³)-H bonds in the N-fluorosulfonamides could be regioselectively activated through the 1,5-HAT process. This protocol provides a practical strategy for the functionalization of heteroarenes and amides via forging a C(sp³)-C(sp²) bond.

Photocatalytic Sulfonylcarbocyclization of Alkynes Using SEt as a Traceless Directing Group: Access to Cyclopentenes and Indenes

Cyclopentenes and indenes are important structural scaffolds in synthetic, medical, and material chemistry. Cyclization of alkynes via remote C-H functionalization is an appealing approach to construct these motifs due to its high efficiency and step-economy. Herein, a traceless directing group strategy was designed to reverse the regioselectivity of radical addition which enabled an unprecedented photocatalytic sulfonylcarbocyclization of terminal alkynes by forming C-C bond on inert C(sp³ )-H bond. It offers a facile access to decorated cyclopentenes and indenes under mild conditions. The resultant products could be converted into a set of valuable molecular scaffolds, including a key intermediate of AM-6226. Mechanistic experiments suggest a radical cascade pathway comprising a Markovnikov-type sulfonylation, 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer, 5-endo-trig cyclization, and β-elimination. This study lays further groundwork for the use of anti-Baldwin 5-endo-trig radical cyclization in rapidly assembling five-membered carbocycles.

Access to cyclopentenones via copper-catalyzed 5-endo trifluoromethylcarbocyclization of ynones

A copper-catalyzed 5-endo-selective trifluoromethylcarbocyclization of ynones is realized for the direct construction of trifluoromethylated cyclopentenones.

Copper-Catalyzed Fluoroamide-Directed Remote Benzylic C-H Olefination: Facile Access to Internal Alkenes

A general, site-selective copper-catalyzed fluoroamide-directed remote benzylic C-H olefination of N-fluoroamides with terminal alkenes for producing internal alkenes is disclosed. This protocol proceeds via a hybrid Cu-radical mechanism, which synergistically...

Intermolecular 1,2-Difunctionalization of Alkenes Enabled by Fluoroamide-Directed Remote Benzyl C(sp3)-H Functionalization

A copper-catalyzed remote benzylic C-H functionalization strategy enabling 1,2-difunctionalization of alkenes with 2-methylbenzeneamides and nucleophiles, including alcohols, indoles, pyrroles, and the intrinsic amino groups, is reported, which is characterized by its redox-neutral conditions, exquisite site-selectivity, broad substrate scope, and wide utilizations of late-stage modifying bioactive molecules. This reaction proceeds through nitrogen-centered radical generation, hydrogen atom transfer, benzylic radical addition across the alkenes, single-electron oxidation, and carbocation electrophilic course cascades. While using external nucleophiles manipulates three-component alkene alkylalkoxylation and alkyl-heteroarylation with 2-methylbenzeneamides to access dialkyl ethers, 3-alkylindoles, and 3-alkylpyrroles, omitting the external nucleophiles results in two-component alkylamidation ([5+2] annulation) of alkenes with 2-methylbenzeneamides to benzo-[f][1,2]thiazepine 1,1-dioxides.

Visible-Light-Catalyzed N-Radical-Enabled Cyclization of Alkenes for the Synthesis of Five-Membered N-Heterocycles

Five-membered N-heterocycles play an important role in organic synthesis and material chemistry, as they are widespread through pharmaceutical molecules and natural products. Chemists have developed many synthetic strategies for constructing five-membered N-heterocycles from N-centered radicals, but the availability of mild and green methods for these transformations is still limited. The cyclization of visible-light-generated N-centered radicals with alkenes has emerged as a powerful tool to enable these chemical transformations in recent years. Through chosen representative examples, the significant developments in this promising field were outlined, including the selection of catalysts, substrate scope, mechanistic understanding (especially density functional theory calculations), and applications. The contents of this Minireview are categorized by intramolecular cyclization and intermolecular N-centered radical addition/cyclization reactions.

Photo-induced copper-catalyzed sequential 1,n-HAT enabling the formation of cyclobutanols

Cyclobutanols are privileged cyclic skeletons in natural products and synthetic building blocks. C(sp3)-H functionalization is a prolonged challenge in organic synthesis. The synthesis of cyclobutanols through double C(sp3)-H bond functionalization remains elusive. Here we report the efficient synthesis of cyclobutanols through intermolecular radical [3 + 1] cascade cyclization, involving the functionalization of two C - H bonds through sequential hydrogen atom transfer. The copper complex reduces the iodomethylsilyl alcohols efficiently under blue-light irradiation to initiate the tandem transformation. The mild reaction tolerates a broad range of functional groups and allows for the facile generation of elaborate polycyclic structures.

Recent progress in the radical α-C(sp3)-H functionalization of ketones

The direct use structurally simple ketones as α-ketone radical sources for α-C(sp³)-H functionalization is a sustainable and powerful approach for constructing complex and multifunctional chemical scaffolds with diverse applications. The reactions of α-ketone radicals with alkenes, alkynes, enynes, imides, and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines have broadened the structural diversity and complexity of ketones. Through chosen illustrative examples, we outline the recent progress in the development of methods that enable the radical α-C(sp³)-H functionalization of ketones, with an emphasis on radical initiation systems and possible mechanisms of the transformations. The application of these strategies is illustrated by the synthesis of several biologically active molecules and drug molecules. Further subdivision is based on substrate type and reaction type.

Regioselective N-F and α C(sp3)-H Arylation of Aliphatic N-Fluorosulfonamides with Imidazopyridines

A regioselective arylation of aliphatic N-fluorosulfonamides with imidazopyridines enabled by breaking of N-F and α C(sp³)-H bond to form C-N and C-C bonds was described. With CuCl as the catalyst, a radical mechanism was proposed to produce N-arylated aliphatic sulfonamides via a N radical intermediate. Importantly, under acidic conditions, an in situ generated imine was the possible intermediate, which was trapped by imidazopyridines to form α C(sp³)-H arylated aliphatic sulfonamides. The current protocol featured a broad substrate scope, tunable reaction conditions, operational convenience, and good regioselectivity.

Iron-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of olefinic 1,3-dicarbonyls with ketone C(sp3)–H bonds: facile access to 2,3-dihydrofurans

The reaction involves the addition of an α-carbonyl radical to the CC bond of olefinic 1,3-dicarbonyls followed by intramolecular 5-endo-trig cyclization.