Direct allylic C-H alkylation of enol silyl ethers enabled by photoredox-Brønsted base hybrid catalysis

Synergistic Copper-Aminocatalysis for Direct Tertiary α-Alkylation of Ketones with Electron-Deficient Alkanes

In this study, a novel approach for the tertiary α-alkylation of ketones using alkanes with electron-deficient C─H bonds is presented, employing a synergistic catalytic system combining inexpensive copper salts with aminocatalysis. This methodology addresses the limitations of traditional alkylation methods, such as the need for strong metallic bases, regioselectivity issues, and the risk of over alkylation, by providing a high reactivity and chemoselectivity without the necessity for pre-functionalized substrates. The dual catalytic strategy enables the direct functionalization of C(sp3)─H bonds, demonstrating remarkable selectivity in the presence of conventional C(sp3)─H bonds that are adjacent to heteroatoms or π systems, which are typically susceptible to single-electron transfer processes. The findings contribute to the advancement of alkylation techniques, offering a practical and efficient route for the construction of C(sp3)─C(sp3) bonds, and paving the way for further developments in the synthesis of complex organic molecules.

Cobalt Catalyzed α-Hydroxylation of Arylacetic Acid Equivalents with Dioxygen

A cobalt catalyst, under oxidative conditions, facilitates the single electron transfer process in N-pyridyl arylacetamides to form α-carbon-centered radicals that readily react with molecular oxygen, giving access to mandelic acid derivatives. In contrast to the known benzylic hydroxylation approaches, this approach enables chemo- and regioselective hydroxylation at a benzylic position adjacent to (N-pyridyl)amides. Mild conditions, broad scope, excellent selectivity, and wide synthetic practicality set up the merit of the reaction.

Remote C-H Amination and Alkylation of Camphor at C8 through Hydrogen-Atom Abstraction

Camphor continues to serve as a versatile chiral building block for chemical synthesis. We have developed a novel method to functionalize the camphor skeleton at C8 using an intramolecular hydrogen atom abstraction. The key advance involves the use of a camphor-derived aminonitrile, which is converted to the corresponding nitrogen-centered radical under photoredox conditions to effect the 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer at C8. The resulting carbon-centered radical at C8 was utilized in a C-H amination to access topologically complex proline derivatives. Furthermore, the total synthesis of several sesquiterpenoids was accomplished by engaging the radical generated at C8 in alkylation reactions.

Expanding the chemical space of enol silyl ethers: catalytic dicarbofunctionalization enabled by iron catalysis

Enol silyl ethers are versatile, robust, and readily accessible substrates widely used in chemical synthesis. However, the conventional reactivity of these motifs has been limited to classical two electron (2-e) enolate-type chemistry with electrophilic partners or as radical acceptors in one electron (1-e) reactivity leading, in both cases, to exclusive α-monofunctionalization of carbonyls. Herein we describe a mild, fast, and operationally simple one-step protocol that combines readily available fluoroalkyl halides, silyl enol ethers, and, for the first time, hetero(aryl) Grignard reagents to promote selective dicarbofunctionalization of enol silyl ethers. From a broader perspective, this work expands the synthetic utility of enol silyl ethers and establishes bisphosphine-iron catalysis as enabling technology capable of orchestrating selective C-C bond formations with short-lived α-silyloxy radicals with practical implications towards sustainable chemical synthesis.

Photochemical Desaturation and Epoxidation with Oxygen by Sequential Flavin Catalysis

Catalytic desaturations are important strategies for the functionalization of organic molecules. In nature, flavoenzymes mediate the formation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds by concomitant cofactor reduction. Contrary to many laboratory methods for these reactions, such as the Saegusa-Ito oxidation, no transition metal reagents or catalysts are required. However, a molecular flavin-mediated variant has not been reported so far. We disclose a photochemical approach for silyl enol ether oxidation, which leads to α,β-unsaturated ketones (13 examples) in very good yields. The flavin catalysts are stable throughout the desaturation reaction, and we successfully applied them in a subsequent aerobic epoxidation by simply changing the reaction conditions. This protocol allowed us to directly convert silyl enol ethers into α,β-epoxyketones in a one-pot fashion (12 examples). Sequential flavin catalysis is not limited to one specific reactivity combination and can, inter alia, couple the photochemical oxidation with radical additions. We anticipate that flavin-catalyzed desaturation will be applicable to other substrate classes and that its sequential catalytic activity will enable rapid substrate diversification.

Regioselective Formal β-Allylation of Carbonyl Compounds Enabled by Cooperative Nickel and Photoredox Catalysis

The Tsuji-Trost reaction between carbonyl compounds and allylic precursors has been widely used in the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceutical compounds. As the α-C-H bond is far more acidic than the β-C-H bond, carbonyl compounds undergo highly regioselective allylation at the α-position and their β-allylation is therefore highly challenging. This innate α-reactivity conversely hampers diversity, especially if the corresponding β-allylation product is targeted. Herein, we present a formal intermolecular β-C-C bond formation reaction of a broad range of aldehydes and ketones with different allyl electrophiles through cooperative nickel and photoredox catalysis. β-Selectivity is achieved via initial transformation of the aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding silyl enol ethers. The overall transformation features mild conditions, excellent regioselectivity, wide functional group tolerance and high reaction efficiency. The introduced facile and regioselective β-allylation of carbonyl compounds proceeding through cooperative catalysis allows the preparation of valuable building blocks that are difficult to access from aldehydes and ketones using existing methodology.

Examining the Scope of Deriving β-Aryl Enones from Enol Silanes as Ketone Equivalents via Pd(II)-Mediated Sequential Dehydrosilylation and Arylation

Silyl enol ethers were examined as a masked source of saturated ketones to derive β-aryl enones and their derivatives by dehydrosilylation to generate enones in situ and subsequent oxidative arylation with arylboronic acids as transmetallation coupling partners using relayed Pd(II) catalysis in one pot under base-free conditions. Oxygen was found to be an efficient and green oxidant to enable both dehydrosilylation of enol silanes and arylation. Additionally, arylation conditions can be custom-designed to take advantage of aryl halides as an alternative source of arylating agents. The preparative scope was investigated with 35 examples (up to 95% yield), and mechanistic studies implied a cationic Pd(II)-based catalytic system.

One-pot synthesis of 3-functionalized (Z)-silyl enol ethers from 1-arylallylic alcohols by C,O-difunctionalization of dipotassio α,β-dianion intermediates

Previously reported syntheses of 3-functionalized silyl enol ethers using allyloxysilanes are hindered by undesirable reactions owing to retro Brook rearrangements. In this study, various 3-functionalized (Z)-silyl enol ethers were synthesized from readily available 1-arylallylic alcohols using (trimethylsilyl)methylpotassium as a base. C,O-Difunctionalization of the in situ-generated dipotassio α,β-dianion with electrophiles and silyl chlorides is key to the success of this transformation. Control experiments confirmed that the dianion has higher nucleophilicity and thermal stability than related siloxyallylpotassiums.

Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,4-diketone-derived (Z)-monosilyl enol ethers via siloxyallylpotassium intermediates

This paper describes the regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,4-diketone-derived (Z)-monosilyl enol ethers from 1-arylallyloxysilanes and Weinreb amides using (trimethylsilyl)methylpotassium as a base. The metalation of 1-arylallyloxysilanes to generate siloxyallylpotassiums is the key step in this transformation. The products can be transformed into diverse α-monofunctionalized unsymmetrical 1,4-diketones.

Synthetic Access to α-Oxoketene Aminals by the Nucleophilic Addition of Enol Silane-Derived Palladium(II) Enolates to Carbodiimides

Synthetically important α-oxoketene aminal intermediates can now be accessed from readily available and inexpensive carbodiimides as starting materials via the nucleophilic addition of palladium enolates derived from enol silane precursors. This operationally simple method features mild reaction conditions, including open air atmosphere, ligand-free metal catalysis, broad substrate scope, and multi-gram scalability. Select synthetic applications that take advantage of the enamine character of α-oxoketene aminals and involve C-nucleophilic additions to electrophilic systems, including an α,β-unsaturated ester, an azo dicarboxylate, an aralkyl halide, and an aldehyde, are demonstrated.

Selective activation of four quasi-equivalent C-H bonds yields N-doped graphene nanoribbons with partial corannulene motifs

Selective C–H bond activation is one of the most challenging topics for organic reactions. The difficulties arise not only from the high C–H bond dissociation enthalpies but also the existence of multiple equivalent/quasi-equivalent reaction sites in organic molecules. Here, we successfully achieve the selective activation of four quasi-equivalent C–H bonds in a specially designed nitrogen-containing polycyclic hydrocarbon (N-PH). Density functional theory calculations reveal that the adsorption of N-PH on Ag(100) differentiates the activity of the four ortho C(sp³) atoms in the N-heterocycles into two groups, suggesting a selective dehydrogenation, which is demonstrated by sequential-annealing experiments of N-PH/Ag(100). Further annealing leads to the formation of N-doped graphene nanoribbons with partial corannulene motifs, realized by the C–H bond activation process. Our work provides a route of designing precursor molecules with ortho C(sp³) atom in an N-heterocycle to realize surface-induced selective dehydrogenation in quasi-equivalent sites.

Selective activation of C–H bonds is a key challenge in organic reactions. Here, the authors achieve the selective activation of four quasi-equivalent C–H bonds, leading to the formation of N-doped graphene nanoribbons with partial corannulene motifs.

Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H bond alkylation using olefins: recent advances and mechanistic aspects

Transition metal catalysis has contributed immensely to C-C bond formation reactions over the last few decades, and alkylation is no exception. The superiority of such methodologies over traditional alkylation is evident from minimal reaction steps, shorter reaction times, and atom economy while also allowing control over regio- and stereo-selectivity. In particular, hydrocarbonation of alkenes has grabbed increased attention due its fundamental ability to effectively and selectively synthesise a wide range of industrially and pharmaceutically relevant moieties. This review attempts to provide a scientific viewpoint and a systematic analysis of the recent developments in transition-metal-catalyzed alkylation of various C-H bonds using simple and activated olefins. The key features and mechanistic studies involved in these transformations are described briefly.

Formal β-C-H Arylation of Aldehydes and Ketones by Cooperative Nickel and Photoredox Catalysis

α-C-H-functionalization of ketones and aldehydes has been intensively explored in organic synthesis. The functionalization of unactivated β-C-H bonds in such carbonyl compounds is less well investigated and developing a general method for their β-C-H arylation remains challenging. Herein we report a method that uses cooperative nickel and photoredox catalysis for the formal β-C-H arylation of aldehydes and ketones with (hetero)aryl bromides. The method features mild conditions, remarkable scope and wide functional group tolerance. Importantly, the introduced synthetic strategy also allows the β-alkenylation, β-alkynylation and β-acylation of aldehydes under similar conditions. Mechanistic studies revealed that this transformation proceeds through a single electron oxidation/Ni-mediated coupling/reductive elimination cascade.

A visible-light activated secondary phosphine oxide ligand enabling Pd-catalyzed radical cross-couplings

Although transition metal-catalyzed reactions have evolved with ligand development, ligand design for palladium-catalyzed photoreactions remains less explored. Here, we report a secondary phosphine oxide ligand bearing a visible-light sensitization moiety and apply it to Pd-catalyzed radical cross-coupling reactions. The tautomeric phosphinous acid coordinates to palladium in situ, allowing for pseudo-intramolecular single-electron transfer between the ligand and palladium. Molecular design of the metal complexes aided by time-dependent density functional theory calculations enables the involvement of allyl radicals from π-allyl palladium(II) complexes, and alkyl and aryl radicals from the corresponding halides and palladium(0) complex. This complex enables radical cross-couplings by ligand-to-Pd(II) and Pd(0)-to-ligand single-electron transfer under visible-light irradiation.

Ligand design is key for improving the performance in light-enabled catalytic processes. Here, the authors report the synthesis of a visible-light–activated secondary phosphine oxide ligand and apply it to Pd-catalyzed radical cross-coupling reactions.

Combining Brønsted base and photocatalysis into conjugated microporous polymers: Visible light-induced oxidation of thiols into disulfides with oxygen

Numerous applications in visible light photocatalysis have been found over conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) whose function could be rationally designed at the molecular level. In this context, the oxidation of thiols into disulfides entails proton and electron transfer and thus requires both Brønsted base and photocatalysis, which could be both combined into CMPs. With carbazole as a Brønsted base and an electron donor, CMPs were constructed to implement the synergistic deprotonation and oxidation of thiols into disulfides in ethanol (C₂H₅OH). Gratifyingly, the bifunctional CMPs could activate molecular oxygen (O₂) to superoxide anion (O₂^•-) and promote the blue light-induced selective oxidation of thiols into symmetrical disulfides with high efficiency in C₂H₅OH. More remarkably, the highly selective formation of unsymmetrical disulfides could also be achieved without adding a Brønsted base. This work highlights the feasibility of combining cooperative photocatalysis into CMPs for versatile chemical transformations.

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.

Photocatalytic Redox-Neutral Reaction of γ-Indolyl α-Keto Esters

The direct γ-C(sp3)-H activation of saturated α-keto esters has long been an elusive transformation. We found that photo-redox catalysis IrIII in combination with DABCO as dual hydrogen-bonding donor and organic...

Recent advances in visible-light mediated functionalization of olefins and alkynes using copper catalysts

Over the past decade, visible-light photoredox catalysis has blossomed as a powerful strategy and offers a discrete activation mode complementary to thermal controlled reactions. Visible-light-mediated photoredox catalysis also offers exciting...

The Ligand Free Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Regioselective 1,2-Addition of Enol Silanes to Quinones to Access 4-Hydroxy-4-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)cyclohexadien-1-ones and Synthetic Applications

In contrast to the conventional 1,4-addition process, regioselective 1,2-addition of silyl enol ethers to quinones can now be achieved via a palladium(II) enolate pathway that provides access to 4-hydroxy-4-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one derivatives. This quinone alkylation protocol proceeds under mild reaction conditions at ambient temperature under open air and does not require either an external ligand for the palladium or the use of a base. Additionally, the cyclohexadienone products have been exploited as synthetic precursors for the construction of fused heteroaryl systems.

α-Alkylation of Ketones with Alkenes Enabled by Photoinduced Activation of Silyl Enol Ethers in the Presence of a Small Amount of Water

Under blue-light irradiation conditions with a photocatalyst [1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene], silyl enol ethers reacted with alkenes in the presence of a small amount of water to afford the α-alkylation products in good to high yields. A thiol cocatalyst was found to expand the substrate scope of the reaction.

Exploiting Transient Radical Cations as Brønsted Acids for Allylic C-H Heteroarylation of Enol Silyl Ethers

Intermediary radical cations, generated through single-electron oxidation of enol silyl ethers by excited Ir-based photocatalysts, can be exploited as Brønsted acids for the activation of heteroarylcyanides. This strategy enables the direct allylic C-H heteroarylation of enol silyl ethers under visible-light irradiation.

Bench-Stable Electrophilic Fluorinating Reagents for Highly Selective Mono- and Difluorination of Silyl Enol Ethers

Efficient methods for the synthesis of fluorinated compounds have been intensively studied, recently. Development of practical fluorinating reagents is indispensable for this purpose. Herein, bench-stable electrophilic fluorinating reagents were synthesized as N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) substitutes. Reagents obtained by replacing one of the NFSI sulfonyl groups with an acyl group led to the highly selective monofluorination of silyl enol ethers with suppression of undesired overreaction, that is, difluorination. On the other hand, reagents bearing electron-withdrawing substituents at NFSI benzenesulfonyl groups efficiently facilitated the difluorination of silyl enol ethers under base-free conditions. Thus, both mono- and difluorinated target materials were prepared from the same substrate.

Direct Cyclopropanation of α-Cyano β-Aryl Alkanes by Light-Mediated Single Electron Transfer Between Donor-Acceptor Pairs

Cyclopropanes are traditionally prepared by the formal [2+1] addition of carbene or radical based C1 units to alkenes. In contrast, the one-pot intermolecular cyclopropanation of alkanes by redox active C1 units has remained unrealised. Herein, we achieved this process simply by exposing β-aryl propionitriles and C1 radical precursors (N-oxy esters) to base and blue light. The overall process is redox-neutral and a photocatalyst, whether metal- or organic-based, is not required. Our findings support that single electron transfer (SET) from the α-cyano carbanion of the propionitrile to the N-oxy ester is facilitated by blue-light via their electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex. The α-cyano carbon radical thus formed can then lose a β-proton to form a π-resonance stabilised radical anion that preferentially couples at the benzylic β-position with a decarboxylated C1 radical unit. This new transition metal-free chemistry tolerates both electron rich and electron deficient (hetero)aryl systems, even sulfide or alkene functionality, to afford a range of cis-aryl/cyano cyclopropanes bearing congested tetrasubstituted quaternary carbons.

Visible-Light-Driven Organophotocatalyzed Mono-, Di-, and Tri-C(sp3)-H Alkylation of Phosphoramides

A photocatalytic metal-free, visible-light-driven, highly atom-economic, direct multiple α-C(sp³)-H alkylation of phosphoramides and thiophosphoramides is demonstrated under environmentally benign conditions. Economically viable and commercially available Eosin-Y is used as an HAT photocatalyst for mono-α-C(sp³)-H alkylation of phosphoramide derivatives. Remarkably, di- and tri-C(sp³)-H alkylation of phosphoramides and thiophosphoramides using an acridinium photocatalyst is reported with good yield and selectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal that monoalkylation of phosphoramides by Eosin-Y follows the HAT mechanism, whereas di- and tri-C(sp³)-H alkylation by the acridinium photocatalyst follows the SET mechanism.

Synthesis of quaternary centres by single electron reduction and alkylation of alkylsulfones

A new method for the generation of tertiary radicals through single electron reduction of alkylsulfones promoted by Zn and 1,10-phenanthroline has been developed. These radicals could be employed in the Giese reaction, affording structurally diverse quaternary products in good yields. With the high modularity and functional group compatibility of sulfones, the utility of this method was demonstrated by intramolecular and iterative reactions to give complex structures. The radical generation process was investigated by control experiments and theoretical calculations.

A new method for the generation of tertiary radicals through single electron reduction of alkylsulfones promoted by Zn and 1,10-phenanthroline has been developed.

Benzylic C(sp3)-C(sp2) cross-coupling of indoles enabled by oxidative radical generation and nickel catalysis

A mechanistically unique functionalization strategy for a benzylic C(sp3)-H bond has been developed based on the facile oxidation event of indole substrates. This novel pathway was initiated by efficient radical generation at the benzylic position of the substrate, with subsequent transition metal catalysis to complete the overall transformation. Ultimately, an aryl or an acyl group could be effectively delivered from an aryl (pseudo)halide or an acid anhydride coupling partner, respectively. The developed method utilizes mild conditions and exhibits a wide substrate scope for both substituted indoles and C(sp2)-based reaction counterparts. Mechanistic studies have shown that competitive hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) processes, which are frequently encountered in conventional methods, are not involved in the product formation process of the developed strategy.

Chemiluminescence-promoted oxidation of alkyl enol ethers by NHPI under mild conditions and in the dark

The hydroperoxidation of alkyl enol ethers using N-hydroxyphthalimide and molecular oxygen occurred in the absence of catalyst, initiator, or light. The reaction proceeds through a radical mechanism that is initiated by N-hydroxyphthalimide-promoted autoxidation of the enol ether substrate. The resulting dioxetane products decompose in a chemiluminescent reaction that allows for photochemical activation of N-hydroxyphthalimide in the absence of other light sources.

Synthesis of substituted anilines via a gold-catalyzed three-component reaction

A three-component reaction for the synthesis of substituted anilines by a gold(i)-catalyzed domino reaction was developed.

Mannich-type allylic C–H functionalization of enol silyl ethers under photoredox–thiol hybrid catalysis

The synergy of an Ir-based photosensitizer with mild oxidizing ability and a thiol catalyst enables efficient allylic C–H functionalization of enol silyl ethers with imines under visible light irradiation.

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.

Copper-Catalyzed Formal Dehydrogenative Coupling of Carbonyls with Polyfluoroarenes Leading to β-C-H Arylation

We herein communicate a formal dehydrogenative coupling of carbonyls with polyfluoroarenes enabled by Cu catalysis. Silyl enol ethers initially prepared from carbonyls are postulated to undergo the copper-mediated oxidative dehydrogenative coupling with polyfluoroarenes via a radical pathway. Including cyclic and linear ketones, aldehydes, and esters, a broad range of β-aryl carbonyl products were efficiently obtained in high regio- and stereoselectivity with excellent functional group tolerance.

Transition metal-catalysed allylic functionalization reactions involving radicals

In this tutorial review, different types of transition metal-catalysed allylic functionalization reactions involving radicals are highlighted.