Selective Defluoroalkylation and Hydrodefluorination of Trifluoromethyl Groups Photocatalyzed by Dihydroacridine Derivatives

The selective functionalization of trifluoromethyl groups through C-F cleavage poses a significant challenge due to the high bond energy of the C(sp3)-F bonds. Herein, we present dihydroacridine derivatives as photocatalysts that can functionalize the C-F bond of trifluoromethyl groups with various alkenes under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations revealed that upon irradiation, the dihydroacridine derivatives exhibit high reducibility and function as photocatalysts for reductive defluorination. This process involves a sequential single-electron transfer mechanism. This research provides valuable insights into the properties of dihydroacridine derivatives as photocatalysts, highlighting the importance of maintaining a planar conformation and a large conjugated system for optimal catalytic activity. These findings facilitate the efficient catalytic reduction of inert chemical bonds.

Photo-Induced, Phenylhydrazine-Promoted Transition-Metal-Free Dehalogenation of Aryl Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides, and Iodides

In this study, we present a straightforward and highly effective photo-triggered hydrogenation method for aryl halides, devoid of transition-metal catalysts. Through the synergistic utilization of light, PhNHNH2, and a base, we have successfully initiated the desired radical-mediated hydrogenation process. Remarkably, utilizing mild reaction conditions, a wide range of aryl halides, including fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and iodides, can be selectively transformed into their corresponding (hetero)arene counterparts, with exceptional yields. Additionally, this approach demonstrates a remarkable compatibility with diverse functional groups and heterocyclic compounds, highlighting its versatility and potential for use in various chemical transformations.

Coupling Titanium and Chromium Catalysis in a Reaction Network for the Reprogramming of [BH4 ]- as Electron Transfer and Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reagent for Radical Chemistry

We describe a unique catalytic system with an efficient coupling of Ti- and Cr-catalysis in a reaction network that allows the use of [BH4 ]- as stoichiometric hydrogen atom and electron donor in catalytic radical chemistry. The key feature is a relay hydrogen atom transfer from [BH4 ]- to Cr generating the active catalysts under mild conditions. This enables epoxide reductions, regiodivergent epoxide opening and radical cyclizations that are not possible with cooperative catalysis with radicals or by epoxide reductions via Meinwald rearrangement and ensuing carbonyl reduction. No typical SN 2-type reactivity of [BH4 ]- salts is observed.

Aminals as powerful XAT-reagents: activation of fluorinated alkyl chlorides

Readily available 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinane serves as an efficient reagent for halogen atom transfer. Under photocatalytic conditions, the triazinane generates an α-aminoalkyl radical, which can activate the C-Cl bond of fluorinated alkyl chlorides. The hydrofluoroalkylation reaction between fluorinated alkyl chlorides and alkenes is described. The efficiency of the diamino-substituted radical derived from the triazinane is associated with stereoelectronic effects defined by a six-membered cycle forcing the anti-periplanar arrangement of the radical orbital and lone pairs of adjacent nitrogen atoms.

Photoinduced Dehydrogenative Borylation via Dihydrogen Bond Bridged Electron Donor and Acceptor Complexes

Air-stable amine- and phosphine-boranes are discovered as donors to integrate with pyridinium acceptor for generating photoactive electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes. Experimental results and DFT calculations suggest a dihydrogen bond bridging the donor and acceptor. Irradiating the EDA complex enables an intra-complex single electron transfer to give a boron-centered radical for dehydrogenative borylation with no need of external photosensitizer and radical initiator. The deprotonation of Wheland-like radical intermediate rather than its generation is believed to determine the good ortho-selectivity based on DFT calculations. A variety of α-borylated pyridine derivatives have been readily synthesized with good functional group tolerance.

Lewis Base-Boryl Radicals Enabled Borylation Reactions and Selective Activation of Carbon-Heteroatom Bonds

ConspectusThe past decades have witnessed tremendous progress on radical reactions. However, in comparison with carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and other main group element centered radicals, the synthetic chemistry of boron centered radicals was less studied, mainly due to the high electron-deficiency and instability of such 3-center-5-electron species. In the 1980s, Roberts and co-workers found that the coordination of a Lewis base (amines or phosphines) with the boron center could form 4-center-7-electron boryl radicals (Lewis base-boryl radicals, LBRs) that are found to be more stable. However, only limited synthetic applications were developed. In 2008, Curran and co-workers achieved a breakthrough with the discovery of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) boryl radicals, which could enable a range of radical reduction and polymerization reactions. Despite these exciting findings, more powerful and valuable synthetic applications of LBRs would be expected, given that the structures and reactivities of LBRs could be easily modulated, which would provide ample opportunities to discover new reactions. In this Account, a summary of our key contributions in LBR-enabled radical borylation reactions and selective activation of inert carbon-heteroatom bonds will be presented.Organoboron compounds have shown versatile applications in chemical society, and their syntheses rely principally on ionic borylation reactions. The development of mechanistically different radical borylation reactions allows synthesizing products that are inaccessible by traditional methods. For this purpose, we progressively developed a series of NHC-boryl radical mediated chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective radical borylation reactions of alkenes and alkynes, by which a wide variety of structurally diverse organoboron molecules were successfully prepared. The synthetic utility of these borylated products was also demonstrated. Furthermore, we disclosed a photoredox protocol for oxidative generation of NHC-boryl radicals, which enabled useful defluoroborylation and arylboration reactions.Selective bond activation is an ideal way to convert simple starting materials to value-added products, while the cleavage of inert chemical bonds, in particular the chemoselectivity control when multiple identical bonds are present in similar chemical environments, remains a long-standing challenge. We envisaged that finely tuning the properties of LBRs might provide a new solution to address this challenge. Recently, we disclosed a 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)-boryl radical promoted sequential C-F bond functionalization of trifluoroacetic acid derivatives, in which the α-C-F bonds were selectively snipped via a spin-center shift mechanism. This strategy enables facile conversion of abundantly available trifluoroacetic acid to highly valuable mono- and difluorinated molecules. Encouraged by this finding, we further developed a boryl radical enabled three-step sequence to construct all-carbon quaternary centers from a range of trichloromethyl groups, where the three C-Cl bonds were selectively cleaved by the rational choice of suitable boryl radical precursors in each step. Furthermore, a boryl radical promoted dehydroxylative alkylation of α-hydroxy carboxylic acid derivatives was achieved, allowing for the efficient conversion of some biomass platform molecules to high value products.

New directions in radical carbonylation chemistry: combination with electron catalysis, photocatalysis and ring-opening

Radical carbonylation offers potent methods for introducing carbon monoxide into organic molecules. This feature article focuses on our current efforts to develop new strategies for radical carbonylation, which include electron-transfer carbonylation, site-selective C(sp³)-H carbonylation by a photocatalyst and ring-opening carbonylation.

Stereoselective hydrogen atom transfer to acyclic radicals: a switch enabling diastereodivergent borylative radical cascades

Radical cascade reactions are powerful tools to construct structurally complex molecules. However, the stereochemical control of acyclic radical intermediates remains a persistent challenge, due to the low differentiation between the two faces of these species. This hurdle further makes stereodivergent synthesis rather more difficult to be accomplished, in particular for intermediates resulted from complex cascades. Here we report an efficient strategy for stereoselective hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) to acyclic carbon radicals, which are generated via N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-boryl radicals triggered addition-translocation-cyclization cascades. A synergistic control by the NHC subunit and a thiol catalyst has proved effective for one facial HAT, while a ZnI2-chelation protocol allows for the preferential reaction to the opposite face. Such a stereoselectivity switch enables diastereodivergent construction of heterocycles tethering a boron-substituted stereocenter. Mechanistic studies suggest two complementary ways to tune HAT diastereoselectivity. The stereospecific conversions of the resulting boron-handled products to diverse functionalized molecules are demonstrated.

Applications of Halogen-Atom Transfer (XAT) for the Generation of Carbon Radicals in Synthetic Photochemistry and Photocatalysis

The halogen-atom transfer (XAT) is one of the most important and applied processes for the generation of carbon radicals in synthetic chemistry. In this review, we summarize and highlight the most important aspects associated with XAT and the impact it has had on photochemistry and photocatalysis. The organization of the material starts with the analysis of the most important mechanistic aspects and then follows a subdivision based on the nature of the reagents used in the halogen abstraction. This review aims to provide a general overview of the fundamental concepts and main agents involved in XAT processes with the objective of offering a tool to understand and facilitate the development of new synthetic radical strategies.

Advances in chemistry of N-heterocyclic carbene boryl radicals

Boron-centred radicals (boryl radicals) are potential and attractive species in main group chemistry and synthetic chemistry. Recently, the development of boron compounds ligated by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has sparked off advavnces in boryl radical chemistry because NHCs can highly stabilise boryl radicals by electronic and steric factors. This review highlights recent synthesis and reactions of such NHC-boryl radicals. From the standpoint of main group chemistry, examples of isolation or detection of unique NHC-boryl radicals are presented. From the standpoint of synthetic chemistry, on the other hand, the development of reactions of user-friendly NHC-boryl radicals, which has contributed to radical chemistry, organoboron chemistry and polymer science, is comprehensively described.

Recent advances in visible light-activated radical coupling reactions triggered by (i) ruthenium, (ii) iridium and (iii) organic photoredox agents

Photoredox chemistry with organic or transition metal agents has been reviewed in earlier years, but such is the pace of progress that we will overlap very little with earlier comprehensive reviews. This review first presents an overview of the area of research and then examines recent examples of C-C, C-N, C-O and C-S bond formations via radical intermediates with transition metal and organic radical promoters. Recent successes with Birch reductions are also included. The transition metal chemistry will be restricted to photocatalysts based on the most widely used metals, Ru and Ir, but includes coupling chemistries that take advantage of low-valent nickel, or occasionally copper, complexes to process the radicals that are formed. Our focus is on developments in the past 10 years (2011-2021). This period has also seen great advances in the chemistry of organic photoredox reagents and the review covers this area. The review is intended to present highlights and is not comprehensive.

Copper-Catalyzed Carbonylative Coupling of Alkyl Halides

Transition metal-catalyzed carbonylation reactions represent a direct and atom-economical approach to introduce oxygen functionality into organic compounds, with CO acting as an inexpensive and readily available C1 feedstock. Despite the long history of carbonylation catalysis, including many processes that have been industrialized at bulk scale, there remain several challenges to tackle. For example, noble metals such as Pd, Rh, and Ir are typically used as catalysts for carbonylation reactions, rather than earth-abundant alternatives. Additionally, while carbonylation of C(sp²)-hybridized substrates (e.g., aryl halides) is well-known, carbonylation of unactivated alkyl electrophiles, especially where β-hydride elimination can compete with desired CO migratory insertion at the catalyst site, remains challenging for many systems. Recently, base metal catalysis based on Mn, Co, and other metals has enabled advances in carbonylative coupling of alkyl electrophiles, though the nucleophiles are often limited to alcohols or amines to generate esters or amides as products. Thus, we have targeted base metal-catalyzed carbonylative C-C and C-E (E = N, H, Si, B) coupling reactions as a method for approaching diverse carbonyl compounds of synthetic importance.Initially, we designed a heterobimetallic catalyst platform for carbonylative C-C coupling of alkyl halides with arylboronic esters (i.e., carbonylative Suzuki-Miyaura coupling) to generate aryl alkyl ketones. Subsequently, we developed multicomponent carbonylation reactions of alkyl halides using NHC-Cu catalysts (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene). These reactions operate by radical mechanisms, converting alkyl halides into either acyl radical or acyl halide intermediates that undergo subsequent C-C or C-E coupling at the Cu site. This mechanistic paradigm is relatively novel in the metal-catalyzed carbonylation area, allowing us to discover a previously unexplored chemical space in carbonylative coupling catalysis. We have successfully developed the following reactions: (a) hydrocarbonylative coupling of alkynes with alkyl halides; (b) borocarbonylative coupling of alkynes with alkyl halides; (c) reductive aminocarbonylation of alkyl halides with nitroarenes; (d) reductive carbonylation of alkyl halides; (e) carbonylative silylation of alkyl halides; (f) carbonylative borylation of alkyl halides. These reactions provide a broad range of valuable products including ketones, allylic alcohols, β-borylenones, amides, alcohols, acylsilanes, and acylborons in an efficient manner. Notably, the preparation of some of these products has previously required multistep syntheses, harsh conditions, or specialized reagents. By contrast, the multicomponent coupling platform that we have developed requires only readily available building blocks and rapidly increases molecular complexity in a single synthetic manipulation.

Radical Borylative Cyclization of Isocyanoarenes with N-Heterocyclic Carbene Borane: Synthesis of Borylated Aza-arenes

Borylated aza-arenes are of great importance in the area of organic synthesis. A radical borylative cyclization of isocyanoarenes with N-heterocyclic carbene borane (NHC-BH₃) under metal-free conditions was developed. The reaction allows the efficient assembly of several types of borylated aza-arenes (phenanthridines, benzothiazoles, etc.), which are difficult to access using alternative methods. Mild reaction conditions, a good functional-group tolerance, and generally good efficiencies were observed. The utility of these products is demonstrated, and the mechanism is discussed.

Synthesis and reactivity of phosphine borohydride compounds

Four lithium phosphine borohydride compounds featuring phenyl and naphthyl linkers have been synthesized. In-depth NMR analysis affords evidence for non-bonded through space P-B coupling. Reactivity towards CO2 leads to LiH transfer and to the quantitative formation of the corresponding ambiphilic phosphine-borane products.

Facile and practical hydrodehalogenations of organic halides enabled by calcium hydride and palladium chloride

For the first time, calcium hydride and palladium chloride were used to reduce a wide range of organic halides including aromatic bromides, aromatic chlorides, aromatic triflates, aliphatic bromides, aliphatic chlorides and trihalomethyl compounds.

Generation of aryl radicals by redox processes. Recent progress in the arylation methodology

Arylation methods based on the generation and use of aryl radicals have been a rapidly growing field of research in recent years and currently represent a powerful strategy for carbon – carbon and carbon – heteroatom bond formation. The progress in this field is related to advances in the methods for generation of aryl radicals. The currently used aryl radical precursors include aryl halides, aryldiazonium and diaryliodonium salts, arylcarboxylic acids and their derivatives, arylboronic acids, arylhydrazines, organosulfur(II, VI) compounds and some other compounds. Aryl radicals are generated under mild conditions by single electron reduction or oxidation of precursors induced by conventional reagents, visible light or electric current. A crucial role in the development of the radical arylation methodology belongs to photoredox processes either catalyzed by transition metal complexes or organic dyes or proceeding without catalysts. Unlike the conventional transition metal-catalyzed arylation methods, radical arylation reactions proceed very often at room temperature and have high functional group tolerance. Without claiming to be exhaustive, this review covers the most important advances of the current decade in the generation and synthetic applications of (het)aryl radicals. Examples of reactions are given and mechanistic insights are highlighted.

The bibliography includes 341 references.

A Giese reaction for electron-rich alkenes

A general method for the hydroalkylation of electron-rich terminal and non-terminal alkenes such as enol esters, alkenyl sulfides, enol ethers, silyl enol ethers, enamides and enecarbamates has been developed. The reactions are carried out at room temperature under air initiation in the presence of triethylborane acting as a chain transfer reagent and 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) as a source of hydrogen atom. The efficacy of the reaction is best explained by very favorable polar effects supporting the chain process and minimizing undesired polar reactions. The stereoselective hydroalkylation of chiral N-(alk-1-en-1-yl)oxazolidin-2-ones takes place with good to excellent diastereocontrol.

Giese reaction not anymore limited to electron poor alkenes! A general method for the radical mediated hydroalkylation of electron rich alkenes including enol ethers, silylenolethers, enamides, and enecarbamates has been developed.

Generation of Alkyl Radicals: From the Tyranny of Tin to the Photon Democracy

Alkyl radicals are key intermediates in organic synthesis. Their classic generation from alkyl halides has a severe drawback due to the employment of toxic tin hydrides to the point that "flight from the tyranny of tin" in radical processes was considered for a long time an unavoidable issue. This review summarizes the main alternative approaches for the generation of unstabilized alkyl radicals, using photons as traceless promoters. The recent development in photochemical and photocatalyzed processes enabled the discovery of a plethora of new alkyl radical precursors, opening the world of radical chemistry to a broader community, thus allowing a new era of photon democracy.

A novel photoredox-active group for the generation of fluorinated radicals from difluorostyrenes

A 4-tetrafluoropyridinylthio group was suggested as a new photoredox-active moiety. The group can be directly installed on difluorostyrenes in a single step by the thiolene click reaction. It proceeds upon visible light catalysis with 9-phenylacridine providing various difluorinated sulfides as radical precursors. Single electron reduction of the C–S bond with the formation of fluoroalkyl radicals is enabled by the electron-poor azine ring. The intermediate difluorinated sulfides were involved in a series of photoredox reactions with silyl enol ethers, alkenes, nitrones and an alkenyl trifluoroborate.

A new photoredox-active group was applied for the generation of fluorinated radicals from difluorostyrenes under blue light irradiation.

A ruthenium bisoxazoline complex as a photoredox catalyst for nitro compound reduction under visible light

An unreported ruthenium(ii) complex containing bisoxazoline ligands has been synthesized and characterized. To test the catalytic ability of the ruthenium complex, the synthesis of anilines from nitro compounds in the presence of a mild reducing agent sodium borohydride and visible light has been developed. Mechanistic studies involving the experiment and DFT calculations suggest that the reaction could involve a radical pathway with the assistance of a photoredox catalyst.

Late-Stage Diversification of Phosphinic Dehydroalanine Pseudopeptides Based on a Giese-Type Radical C-Alkylation Strategy

A straightforward, late-stage diversification strategy for the installation of side chains on readily accessible unsaturated phosphinopeptidic scaffolds based on a Giese-type addition of alkyl radicals has been investigated. Among different alternatives, the preferred methodology is operationally simple as it can be carried out in an open flask with no need for protection of acidic moieties. Direct application to the synthesis of SPPS-compatible building blocks or to longer peptides is also reported.

Hydrogen bonding promoted simple and clean photo-induced reduction of C–X bond with isopropanol

We herein report a simple and clean photo-induced metal-free reduction of C–X bond under an atmosphere of air at room temperature.

Visible-light-mediated hydrodehalogenation and Br/D exchange of inactivated aryl and alkyl halides with a palladium complex

Photo-induced radical reductive dehalogenation of inactivated aryl/alkyl bromides and chlorides with a palladium complex is described. Reductive cyclization, dehalogenative deuteration, and radical addition process can be achieved smoothly.

Hydrodebromination of allylic and benzylic bromides with water catalyzed by a rhodium porphyrin complex

Hydrodebromination of allylic and benzylic bromides was successfully achieved by a rhodium porphyrin complex catalyst using water as the hydrogen source without a sacrificial reductant. Mechanistic investigations suggest that bromine atom abstraction via a rhodium porphyrin metalloradical operates to give the rhodium porphyrin alkyl species and the subsequent hydrolysis of the rhodium porphyrin alkyl species to a hydrocarbon product is a key step to harness the hydrogen from water.

Visible light-mediated difluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes

A method for the reductive difluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes using 1,1-difluorinated iodides mediated by irradiation with blue light is described. The reaction involves radical addition of 1,1-difluorinated radicals at the double bond followed by hydrogen atom transfer from sodium cyanoborohydride.

Radical-Triggered Three-Component Coupling Reaction of Alkenylboronates, α-Halocarbonyl Compounds, and Organolithium Reagents: The Inverse Ylid Mechanism

An operationally simple protocol to affect a radical addition to alkenylboronates that spontaneously undergo a [1,2]-metalate shift is described. Overall, the reaction is a three-component coupling of an organolithium, alkenylboronic ester, and halide which takes place with broad scope and good to excellent yields. Experimental mechanistic investigations support the formation of a boron inverse ylid intermediate.

Use of a benzyl ether as a traceless hydrogen donor in the anti-Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization of alkenes with xanthates

A new protocol for the anti-Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization of alkenyl alcohol O-Bn ethers was developed using xanthates as functionalizing agents in the presence of lauroyl peroxide as a radical initiator and a stoichiometric oxidant. The benzyl group serves as a traceless hydrogen donor in the remote radical hydrogen atom transfer event during the process.

Radical trans-Hydroboration of Alkynes with N-Heterocyclic Carbene Boranes

Hydroboration of internal alkynes with N-heterocyclic carbene boranes (NHC-boranes) occurs to provide stable NHC (E)-alkenylboranes upon thermolysis in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide. The E isomer results from an unusual trans-hydroboration, and the E/Z selectivity is typically high (90:10 or greater). Evidence suggests that this hydroboration occurs by a radical-chain reaction involving addition of an NHC-boryl radical to an alkyne to give a β-NHC-borylalkenyl radical. Ensuing hydrogen abstraction from the starting NHC-borane provides the product and returns the starting NHC-boryl radical. Experiments suggest that the observed trans-selectivity results from kinetic control in the hydrogen-transfer reaction.

Synthesis of α-Chlorolactams by Cyanoborohydride-Mediated Radical Cyclization of Trichloroacetamides

A cyanoborohydride-promoted radical cyclization methodology has been developed to access α-chlorolactams in a simple and efficient way using NaBH₃ CN and trichloroacetamides easily available from allylic and homoallylic secondary amines. This methodology allowed the synthesis of a library of α-chlorolactams (mono- and bicyclic), which were tested for herbicidal activity, trans-3-chloro-4-methyl-1-(3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone being the most active.

Electron transfer-induced reduction of organic halides with amines

Reduction of a variety of organo halides was examined by using amines as a sacrificial hydrogen source. UV light-induced reduction of vinyl and aryl halides with triethylamine proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding reduced products. High temperature heating also caused the reduction and DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) also served as a good reducing reagent.

The oxidation of borohydrides by photoexcited [UO2(CO3)3]4−

The photochemistry of [U^VIO₂(CO₃)₃]⁴⁻ has not been well-explored because of its barely luminescent nature. Herein, we have demonstrated the oxidation of borohydrides by photoexcited [U^VIO₂(CO₃)₃]⁴⁻.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Boranes are Hydrogen Donors in Masamune-Bergman Reactions of Benzo[3,4]cyclodec-3-ene-1,5-diynes

Thermal reactions of benzo[3,4]cyclodec-3-ene-1,5-diyne with N-heterocyclic carbene boranes (NHC-boranes) provided mixtures of 9-borylated 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroanthracenes along with 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroanthracene. These products indicate that NHC-boranes serve as hydrogen donors to a p-benzyne intermediate formed by the Masamune-Bergman reaction. Experimental results support a radical mechanism in nonpolar solvents, but suggest that ionic mechanisms compete in the production of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroanthracene when the reaction is performed in a polar solvent.

P-B Desulfurization: An Enabling Method for Protein Chemical Synthesis and Site-Specific Deuteration

Cysteine-mediated native chemical ligation is a powerful method for protein chemical synthesis. Herein, we report an unprecedentedly mild system (TCEP/NaBH₄ or TCEP/LiBEt₃ H; TCEP=tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine) for chemoselective peptide desulfurization to achieve effective protein synthesis via the native chemical ligation-desulfurization approach. This method, termed P-B desulfurization, features usage of common reagents, simplicity of operation, robustness, high yields, clean conversion, and versatile functionality compatibility with complex peptides/proteins. In addition, this method can be used for incorporating deuterium into the peptides after cysteine desulfurization by running the reaction in D₂ O buffer. Moreover, this method enables the clean desulfurization of peptides carrying post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and crotonylation. The effectiveness of this method has been demonstrated by the synthesis of the cyclic peptides dichotomin C and E and synthetic proteins, including ubiquitin, γ-synuclein, and histone H2A.