Cooperative Catalysis: A Strategy To Synthesize Trifluoromethyl-thioesters from Aldehydes

Synergistic Effects of MOFs and Noble Metals in Photocatalytic Reactions: Mechanisms and Applications

Photocatalytic technology can efficiently convert solar energy to chemical energy and this process is considered as one of the green and sustainable technology for practical implementation. In recent years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted widespread attention due to their unique advantages and have been widely applied in the field of photocatalysis. Among them, noble metals have contributed significant advances to the field as effective catalysts in photocatalytic reactions. Importantly, noble metals can also form a synergistic catalytic effect with MOFs to further improve the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions. However, how to precisely control the synergistic effect between MOFs and noble metals to improve the photocatalytic performance of materials still needs to be further studied. In this review, the synergistic effects of MOFs and noble metal catalysts in photocatalytic reactions are firstly summarized in terms of noble metal nanoparticles, noble metal monoatoms, noble metal compounds, and noble metal complexes, and focus on the mechanisms and advantages of these synergistic effects, so as to provide useful guidance for the further research and application of MOFs and contribute to the development of the field of photocatalysis.

Enhancing Flavins Photochemical Activity in Hydrogen Atom Abstraction and Triplet Sensitization through Ring-Contraction

The isoalloxazine heterocycle of flavin cofactors reacts with various nucleophiles to form covalent adducts with important functions in enzymes. Molecular flavin models allow for the characterization of such adducts and the study of their properties. A fascinating set of reactions occurs when flavins react with hydroxide base, which leads to imidazolonequinoxalines, ring-contracted flavins, with so far unexplored activity. We report a systematic study of the photophysical properties of this new chromophore by absorption and emission spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. Excited, ring-contracted flavins are significantly stronger hydrogen atom abstractors when compared to the parent flavins, which allowed the direct trifluoromethylthiolation of aliphatic methine positions (bond dissociation energy (BDE) of 400.8 kJ mol-1). In an orthogonal activity, their increased triplet energy (E(S0←T1)=244 kJ mol-1) made sensitized reactions possible which exceeded the power of standard flavins. Combining both properties, ring-contracted flavin catalysts enabled the one-pot, five-step transformation of α-tropolone into trans-3,4-disubstituted cyclopentanones. We envision this new class of flavin-derived chromophores to open up new modes of reactivity that are currently impossible with unmodified flavins.

Visible light-induced hydrogen atom transfer trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehydes with bismuth catalyst

By using a combination of BiCl3 and TBACl as a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) photocatalyst, hydrogen atom transfer trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehydes was achieved under visible light irradiation. The present method provides economical and operationally simple access to trifluoromethylthioesters using low toxicity and cost-effective bismuth catalysts under mild reaction conditions. Based on the radical trapping experiments, the direct conversion of aldehydes to acyl radicals via chlorine radicals as HAT reagents was proposed as the reaction mechanism.

Silver(I)/Dirhodium(II) Catalytic Platform for Asymmetric N-H Insertion Reaction of Heteroaromatics

Transition-metal-catalyzed enantioselective N-H insertion reactions of carbene species offer a powerful and straightforward strategy to produce chiral nitrogen-containing compounds. Developing highly selective insertion reactions using indole variants can meet synthetic demand. Herein we present an asymmetric insertion reaction into N-H bonds of the aromatic heterocycles using donor/acceptor-substituted diazo compounds based on a heteronuclear catalytic platform. Although a previously developed catalysis comprising chiral silver catalyst or dirhodium(II,II) paddlewheel complexes with and without chiral phosphoric acid showed modest performance, a unique combination of widely available Rh2(OAc)4 and silver(I) phosphate dimer [(S)-TRIP-Ag]2 enabled asymmetric carbene insertion reactions (up to 98% ee). Moreover, the Ag/Rh catalytic system facilitated regioselective and enantioselective C-H functionalization of protic indoles. Mechanistic investigation based on density functional theory indicated that an in situ-generated Ag-Rh trimetallic enolate is protonated in a chiral environment.

Visible Light-Induced Hydroacylation of Benzylidenemalononitriles with Aroyl Chlorides Using Silane as a Hydrogen Donor

A novel photoredox-catalyzed direct hydroacylation of benzylidenemalononitriles is described. In this method, aroyl chlorides are employed as a readily available and affordable source of acyl groups, while commercially available tris(trimethylsilyl)silane acts as both the hydrogen atom donor and electron donor. By eliminating the requirement for complex synthesis of acyl precursors and hydrogen atom-transfer (HAT) reagents, this approach offers a convenient and efficient strategy for the hydroacylation of benzylidenemalononitriles.

Photocatalytic Phosphine-Mediated Thioesterification of Carboxylic Acids with Disulfides

Herein, a practical and effective synthesis of thioesters from readily available carboxylic acids and odorless disulfides was developed under photocatalytic conditions. This approach involves phosphoranyl radical-mediated fragmentation to generate acyl radicals and allows for incorporation of both S atoms of the disulfides into the desired products. In addition to batch reactions, a continuous-flow reactor was employed, enabling rapid thioester synthesis on a gram scale. Preliminary experimental mechanistic studies and the rapid synthesis of dalcetrapib are also demonstrated.

Visible-Light-Mediated Generation of Acyl Radicals from Triazine Esters

Acyl radicals are significant synthetic active species in organic synthesis. However, their generation via green and compatible methods remains challenging. Herein, we report an unprecedented visible-light-mediated approach for generating aryl acyl radicals from readily available triazine esters. This protocol with mild and redox-neutral conditions affords a diverse array of oxindoles attached to alcohol groups in a single operation. The recycling of leaving groups and a range of visible-light-mediated reactions using triazine ester as an acyl radical precursor demonstrate the synthetic potential of this methodology.

Oxidative Cleavage and Fluoromethylthiolation of C═C Bonds: A General Route toward Mono-, Di-, and Trifluoromethylthioesters from Alkenes

A novel oxidative cleavage and fluoromethylthiolation reaction of C═C bonds has been developed that represents the first and general method for the preparation of mono-, di-, and trifluoromethylthioesters from alkenes. The protocol features excellent product selectivity and substrate suitability. Various observations suggested that the protocol proceeded via a two-step radical process and that aldehyde was the key intermediate. What's more meaningful is that this route provides a new direction for converting alkenes into higher-value-added carbonyl-containing chemicals.

Radical approaches to C-S bonds

Organosulfur functionalities are ubiquitous in nature, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, materials and flavourants. Historically, these moieties were introduced almost exclusively using ionic chemistry; however, radical-based methods for the installation of sulfur-based functional groups have recently come to the fore. These radical methods have enabled their late-stage introduction into complex molecules, avoiding the need to preserve labile organosulfur moieties through multistep synthetic sequences. Here, we discuss homolytic C-S bond-forming processes, with a particular emphasis on radical substitution approaches to sulfide, disulfide and sulfinyl products, and the use of sulfur dioxide and its surrogates to build sulfonyl products. We also highlight the mechanistic considerations that we hope will guide further development of radical-based strategies compatible with the various organosulfur moieties that feature in modern chemistry.

Synthesis of Thioesters from Aldehydes via N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Catalyzed Radical Relay

We have developed an efficient N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed thioesterification of aldehydes using N-thiosuccinimides as the thiolation reagent. This organocatalyzed transition involves the generation of sulfur radicals by single electron transfer of the Breslow enolate (generated from aldehyde and NHC catalyst) with N-thiosuccinimides. This method offers facile access to various highly functionalized thioesters and exhibits good chemical yields and functional group tolerance.

Visible-Light-Promoted Trifluoromethylthiolation and Trifluoromethylselenolation of 1,4-Dihydropyridines

We report a metal-free trifluoromethylthiolation and trifluoromethylselenolation of 1,4-dihydropyridines with S-(trifluoromethyl) 4-methylbenzenesulfonothioate and Se-(trifluoromethyl) 4-methylbenzenesulfonoselenoate under visible light irradiation. This transformation was tolerated with a wide range of functional groups and provided an alternative and green strategy for the synthesis of trifluoromethylthioesters and trifluoromethylselenoesters.

Visible-Light-Induced Acylative Coupling of Benzoic Acid Derivatives with Alkenes to Dihydrochalcones

A strategy was developed for the visible-light-induced photocatalytic synthesis of dihydrochalcone via the deoxygenation and coupling of benzoic acid derivatives with alkenes using diphenyl sulfide as the O-transfer reagent. Under mild photoredox conditions, a series of dihydrochalcone derivatives were produced in moderate to good yields. A mechanism for the visible-light-induced free-radical coupling was proposed on the basis of the control experiments. The protocol provides a new strategy the generation of acyl radicals from carboxylic acids and the synthesis of dihydrochalcones.

Aliphatic C-H Functionalization Using Pyridine N-Oxides as H-Atom Abstraction Agents

The alkylation and heteroarylation of unactivated tertiary, secondary, and primary C(sp3)-H bonds was achieved by employing an acridinium photoredox catalyst along with readily available pyridine Noxides as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) precursors under visible light. Oxygen-centered radicals, generated by single-electron oxidation of the Noxides, are the proposed key intermediates whose reactivity can be easily modified by structural adjustments. A broad range of aliphatic C-H substrates with electron-donating or -withdrawing groups as well as various olefinic radical acceptors and heteroarenes were well tolerated.

Merging Carbonyl Addition with Photocatalysis

The carbonyl group stands as a fundamental scaffold and plays a ubiquitous role in synthetically important chemical reactions in both academic and industrial contexts. Venerable transformations, including the aldol reaction, Grignard reaction, Wittig reaction, and Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction, constitute a vast and empowering synthetic arsenal. Notwithstanding, two-electron mechanisms inherently confine the breadth of accessible reactivity and topological patterns.Fostered by the rapid development of photoredox catalysis, combing well-entrenched carbonyl addition and radicals can harness several unique and increasingly sustainable transformations. In particular, unusual carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom disconnections, which are out of reach of two-electron carbonyl chemistry, can be conceived. To meet this end, a novel strategy toward the utilization of simple carbonyl compounds as intermolecular radical acceptors was developed. The reaction is enabled by visible-light photoredox-initiated hole catalysis. In situ Brønsted acid activation of the carbonyl moiety prevents β-scission from occurring. Furthermore, this regioselective alkyl radical addition reaction obviates the use of metals, ligands, or additives, thus offering a high degree of atom economy under mild conditions. On the basis of the same concept and the work of Schindler and co-workers, carbonyl-olefin cross-metathesis, induced by visible light, has also been achieved, leveraging a radical Prins-elimination sequence.Recently, dual chromium and photoredox catalysis has been developed by us and Kanai, offering a complementary approach to the revered Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction. Leveraging the intertwined synergy between light and metal, several radical-to-polar crossover transformations toward eminent molecular motifs have been developed. Reactions such as the redox-neutral allylation of aldehydes and radical carbonyl alkylation can harvest the power of light and enable the use of catalytic chromium metal. Overall, exquisite levels of diastereoselectivity can be enforced via highly compact transition states. Other examples, such as the dialkylation of 1,3-dienes and radical carbonyl propargylation portray the versatile combination of radicals and carbonyl addition in multicomponent coupling endeavors. Highly valuable motifs, which commonly occur in complex drug and natural product architectures, can now be accessed in a single operational step. Going beyond carbonyl addition, seminal contributions from Fagnoni and MacMillan preconized photocatalytic HAT-based acyl radical formation as a key aldehyde valorization strategy. Our group articulated this concept, leveraging carboxy radicals as hydrogen atom abstractors in high regio- and chemoselective carbonyl alkynylation and aldehyde trifluoromethylthiolation.This Account, in addition to the narrative of our group and others' contributions at the interface between carbonyl addition and radical-based photochemistry, aims to provide core guiding foundations toward novel disruptive synthetic developments. We envisage that extending radical-to-polar crossovers beyond Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi manifolds, taming less-activated carbonyls, leveraging multicomponent processes, and merging single electron steps with energy-transfer events will propel eminent breakthroughs in the near future.

Excited-state palladium-catalysed reductive alkylation of imines: scope and mechanism

Palladium catalysis induced by visible-light irradiation is a promising tool for promoting unusual chemical reactivity. Here, the hybrid alkyl radical/Pd(i) species generated is used to promote the reductive alkylation of imines.

Electrophilic N-trifluoromethylthiophthalimide as a fluorinated reagent in the synthesis of acyl fluorides

Herein we report the deoxygenated fluorination of readily available carboxylic acids. A series of acyl fluorides have been synthesized using shelf-stable N-trifluoromethylthiophthalimide as a fluorinated reagent for the first time.

Divergent functionalization of aldehydes photocatalyzed by neutral eosin Y with sulfone reagents

While aldehydes represent a classic class of electrophilic synthons, the corresponding acyl radicals are inherently nucleophilic, which exhibits umpolung reactivity. Generation of acyl radicals typically requires noble metal catalysts or excess oxidants to be added. Herein, we report a convenient and green approach to access acyl radicals, capitalizing on neutral eosin Y-enabled hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) photocatalysis with aldehydes. The generated acyl radicals underwent SOMOphilic substitutions with various functionalized sulfones (X-SO2R') to deliver value-added acyl products. The merger of eosin Y photocatalysis and sulfone-based SOMOphiles provides a versatile platform for a wide array of aldehydic C-H functionalizations, including fluoromethylthiolation, arylthiolation, alkynylation, alkenylation and azidation. The present protocol features green characteristics, such as being free of metals, harmful oxidants and additives; step-economic; redox-neutral; and amenable to scale-up assisted by continuous-flow technology.

Decatungstate Catalyzed Synthesis of Trifluoromethylthioesters from Aldehydes via a Radical Process

Here we report a mild and general method for the trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehydes using N-trifluoromethylthiosaccharin as the CF₃S radical source and sodium decatungstate (NaDT) as the photocatalyst. This reaction proceeds via hydrogen atom abstraction by photoactivated DT and features good functional groups and substrate tolerance. Generally, electron-rich aldehydes demonstrate better reactivity than electron-deficient ones and good selectivity is observed for the trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehydic C-H bonds over tertiary and benzylic C-H bonds. Preliminary mechanistic studies have shown that a free radical process is involved.

Visible-Light-Mediated Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling of Thiols with Aldehydes: Metal-Free Synthesis of Thioesters at Room Temperature

Thioesters play a crucial role in biological systems and serve as important building blocks for organic synthesis. Herein, Eosin Y and TBHP mediated photochemical cross dehydrogenative coupling (PCDC) between feedstock aldehydes and thiols has been described at room temperature to synthesize thioesters. This thioesterification protocol proceeds smoothly to give the desired products in good to excellent yields by the suitable PCDC of both alkyl/aryl- aldehydes with a variety of alkyl/aryl-thiols and generates water and ^tBuOH as green byproducts. This method is also found to be scalable with good efficiency. Mechanistic investigations reveal that under this photochemical condition, the formation of acyl radical can be achieved from aldehyde. This acyl radical was further intercepted with an intermediate disulfide, generated in situ via the dehydrogenation of thiol to give the desired thioester. Moreover, disulfides, which are relatively easier to handle, also provided good to excellent yields in the optimized reaction condition. This protocol was further extended toward the more challenging direct transformation of alcohols to thioesters.

Photoredox-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization Reactions

The fields of C-H functionalization and photoredox catalysis have garnered enormous interest and utility in the past several decades. Many different scientific disciplines have relied on C-H functionalization and photoredox strategies including natural product synthesis, drug discovery, radiolabeling, bioconjugation, materials, and fine chemical synthesis. In this Review, we highlight the use of photoredox catalysis in C-H functionalization reactions. We separate the review into inorganic/organometallic photoredox catalysts and organic-based photoredox catalytic systems. Further subdivision by reaction class-either sp² or sp³ C-H functionalization-lends perspective and tactical strategies for use of these methods in synthetic applications.

Copper(i)-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular C-arylation with ureas as the additives: highly enantioselective formation of spirooxindoles

A cooperative catalytic strategy is developed for a copper-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular C-arylation reaction with ureas as the co-catalysts. By forming hydrogen bonds with 1,3-dicarbonyl structures, ureas can activate the substrates, stabilize the carbanion intermediates and the products, and fix the syn-configurations of 1,3-dicarbonyl structures. They help enhance the reactivity, prevent side reactions and improve the enantioselectivities.

Photocatalytic C-H Trifluoromethylthiolation by the Decatungstate Anion

A broadly applicable method for the trifluoromethylthiolation of methylene C(sp³)-H, methine C(sp³)-H, α-oxygen C(sp³)-H, and formyl C(sp²)-H bonds is presented using the decatungstate anion as the sole catalyst. By adjusting the substrate ratio and reaction concentration, this method was applied to 40 examples in good regioselectivities, including the derivatization of natural products. Furthermore, SCF₃-drug analogues were synthesized by subsequent functionalization of the SCF₃ products, highlighting the importance of this photocatalyzed C-H functionalization.

Catalyst-Free Decarbonylative Trifluoromethylthiolation Enabled by Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex Photoactivation

A catalyst- and additive-free decarbonylative trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehyde feedstocks has been developed. This operationally simple, scalable, and open-to-air transformation is driven by the selective photoexcitation of electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes, stemming from the association of 1,4-dihydropyridines (donor) with N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide (acceptor), to trigger intermolecular single-electron transfer events under ambient- and visible light-promoted conditions. Extension to other electron acceptors enables the synthesis of thiocyanates and thioesters, as well as the difunctionalization of [1.1.1] propellane. The mechanistic intricacies of this photochemical paradigm are elucidated through a combination of experimental efforts and high-level quantum mechanical calculations [dispersion-corrected (U)DFT, DLPNO-CCSD(T), and TD-DFT]. This comprehensive study highlights the necessity for EDA complexation for efficient alkyl radical generation. Computation of subsequent ground state pathways reveals that SH2 addition of the alkyl radical to the intermediate radical EDA complex is extremely exergonic and results in a charge transfer event from the dihydropyridine donor to the N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide acceptor of the EDA complex. Experimental and computational results further suggest that product formation also occurs via SH2 reaction of alkyl radicals with 1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)disulfane, generated in-situ through combination of thiyl radicals.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of Alkyl Aldehydes: Synthesis of Ketones, Esters, Amides, and α-Ketoamides

A widely applicable approach was developed to synthesize ketones, esters, amides via the oxidative C-C bond cleavage of readily available alkyl aldehydes. Green and abundant molecular oxygen (O₂ ) was used as the oxidant, and base metals (cobalt and copper) were used as the catalysts. This strategy can be extended to the one-pot synthesis of ketones from primary alcohols and α-ketoamides from aldehydes.

Machine learning prediction of hydrogen atom transfer reactivity in photoredox-mediated C–H functionalization

DFT-computed structure–activity relationship data and physical organic descriptors create accurate machine learning model for HAT barrier prediction in photoredox-mediated HAT catalysis.

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.

Deoxygenative Tri- and Difluoromethylthiolation of Carboxylic Acids with Benzothiazolium Reagents

Deoxygenative syntheses of fluorinated thioesters directly from carboxylic acids have been developed employing benzothiazolium reagents. The process using BT-SCF₃ represents an attractive approach toward these SCF₃-containing compounds that avoids the use of metal ^-SCF₃ salts or preactivated acyl electrophiles. Moreover, the in situ activation of BT-SCF₂H allows for an unprecedented nucleophilic difluoromethylthiolation reaction. DFT calculations support a mechanistic scenario involving a four-membered transition state where acyl substitution occurs without the formation of an unstable free ^-SCF₂H anion.

Site-Specific C(sp3 )-H Aminations of Imidates and Amidines Enabled by Covalently Tethered Distonic Radical Anions

The utilization of N-centered radicals to synthesize nitrogen-containing compounds has attracted considerable attention recently, due to their powerful reactivities and the concomitant construction of C-N bonds. However, the generation and control of N-centered radicals remain particularly challenging. We report a tethering strategy using SOMO-HOMO-converted distonic radical anions for the site-specific aminations of imidates and amidines with aid of the non-covalent interaction. This reaction features a remarkably broad substrate scope and also enables the late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism is thoroughly investigated through kinetic studies, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations, revealing that the aminations likely involve direct homolytic cleavage of N-H bonds and subsequently controllable 1,5 or 1,6 hydrogen atom transfer.

Synthesis of trifluoromethylthioesters from aldehydes via a visible light-promoted radical process

We report herein an efficient, economical, and scalable trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehydes to generate trifluoromethylthioesters via a visible light-promoted radical process. The transformation features cheap reagents, simple operation, a broad substrate scope, and especially no metal involved in the reaction. Trifluoromethylthiolations of several complex aldehyde-containing bioactive compounds have been realized; thus the approach has the potential to be an important tool for the late-stage functionalization of advanced synthetic intermediates and bioactive molecules, and should have many applications in medicinal chemistry.

Single Electron Activation of Aryl Carboxylic Acids

Aryl carboxylic acids are stable and readily available in great structural diversity both from natural and well-established synthetic procedures, which make them promising starting materials in organic synthesis. The conversion of benzoic acids into high-value molecules is of great importance and have gained much interest of synthetic chemists. The recent development of single-electron (1e⁻) activation strategy has been esteemed as a complementary method for the transformation of benzoic acids. In this context, carboxylate groups can be selectively transferred into reactive aryl carboxylic radical, aryl radical, and acyl radical by electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, or in the presence of some SET oxidants. Based on these radical species, remarkable advancements have been achieved for the rapid formation of various chemical bonds over the past 10 years. In this review, we summarize recent advances in single electron activation of aryl carboxylic acids, with an emphasis on reaction scope, catalytic system, limitation, and underlying reaction mechanism.

Utilization of metal-organic frameworks for the adsorptive removal of an aliphatic aldehyde mixture in the gas phase

Considerable efforts have been undertaken in the domain of air quality management for the removal of hazardous volatile organic compounds, particularly carbonyl compounds (CCs). In this study, the competitive sorptive removal of six CCs (namely, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde) was assessed using selected metal-organic frameworks (MOFs: MOF-5, MOF-199, UiO-66, and UiO-66-NH₂) and inexpensive commercial activated carbon as a reference sorbent. The sorption experiments were conducted using a mixture of the six CCs (formaldehyde and acetaldehyde at ∼1 Pa and propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde at ∼0.2 Pa) together with 15 Pa water and 2.6 Pa methanol in 1 bar nitrogen. For all of the carbonyl compounds other than formaldehyde, MOF-199 showed the best 10% breakthrough performance ranging from 34 L g^-1 and 0.14 mol kg^-1 Pa^-1 for acetaldehyde to 1870 L g^-1 and 7.6 mol kg^-1 Pa^-1 for isovaleraldehyde. Among all the sorbents tested, UiO-66-NH₂ exhibited the best 10% breakthrough performance metrics towards the lightest formaldehyde which remains to be one of the most difficult targets for sorptive removal (breakthrough volume: 285 L g^-1 and partition coefficient: 1.1 mol kg^-1 Pa^-1). Theoretical density functional theory (DFT)-based computations were also conducted to provide better insights into the adsorbate-adsorbent interactions. Accordingly, the magnitude of adsorption energy increased with an increase in the CC molar mass due to an enhancement in the synergetic interaction between C[double bond, length as m-dash]O groups (in adsorbate molecules) and the MOF active centers (open metallic centers and/or NH₂ functionality) as the adsorbent. Such interactions were observed to result in strong distortion of MOF structures. In contrast, weak van der Waals attraction between the hydrocarbon "tail" of CC molecules and MOF linkers were seen to play a stabilizing role for the sorbent structure. The presence of the NH₂ group in the MOF structure was suspected to play a key role in capturing lighter CCs, while such an effect was less prominent for heavier CCs. Overall, the results of this study provided a basis for the establishment of an effective strategy to enhance the sorption capacity of MOFs against diverse carbonyl species.

Remote Trifluoromethylthiolation Enabled by Organophotocatalytic C-C Bond Cleavage

The first metal-free ring opening/trifluoromethylthiolation of cycloalkanols for the formation of remote C(sp³)-SCF₃ bonds has been developed. A variety of trifluoromethylthiolated carbonyl compounds that are otherwise difficult to achieve were prepared in good yields under mild reaction conditions. The reaction is assumed to proceed via C-C bond cleavage of the alkoxyl radical species generated via a photoredox-enabled intramolecular proton-coupled electron transfer process, followed by trifluoromethylthiolation of the resulting C-centered radical with the N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide reagent.

Deuteration of Formyl Groups via a Catalytic Radical H/D Exchange Approach

H/D exchange at formyl groups represents the straightforward approach to C-1 deuterated aldehydes. This transformation has been recently realized by transition metal and NHC carbene catalysis. Mechanistically, all these processes involve an ionic pathway. Herein we report a distinct photoredox catalytic, visible light mediated neutral radical approach. Selective control of highly reactive acyl radical in the energy barrier surmountable, reversible reaction enables driving the formation of deuterated products when an excess of D2O is employed. The power of the H/D exchange process has been demonstrated for not only aromatic aldehydes, but also aliphatic substrates, which have been difficult in transitional metal catalyzed H/D exchange reactions, and for selective late-stage deuterium incorporation into complex structures with uniformly high deuteration level (>90%).

Deoxygenative trifluoromethylthiolation of carboxylic acids

A deoxygenative trifluoromethylthiolation method produces trifluoromethyl thioesters from readily available carboxylic acids.

Here we describe a deoxygenative trifluoromethylthiolation method that yields trifluoromethyl thioesters from readily available carboxylic acids. The method is built upon an “umpolung” strategy where triphenylphosphine is used to first activate an electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagent and then serves as an oxygen acceptor for the deoxygenation. The method is mild, efficient, broad-scope, and tolerant. It can be applied for the late-stage functionalization of numerous natural products and drug molecules containing a carboxylic acid group. The trifluoromethyl thioesters can be converted into trifluoromethyl thioethers by Pd-catalyzed decarbonylation.