Synthesis of Diarylalkanes by Photoreductive 1,2-Diarylation of Alkenes with Aryl Halides and Cyanoaromatics

We report a visible light-induced photoreductive strategy for three-component diarylation of alkenes with aryl halides and cyanoaromatics. Upon photoredox catalysis and with tertiary alkyl amines as the electron transfer agent, aryl halides selectively undergo halogen atom transfer to generate the aryl radicals and two C(sp2)-C(sp3) bonds between the cabron atoms are created in a radical addition and radical-radical coupling fashion to rapidly assemble diverse functionalized polyarylalkanes with high regio- and chemoselectivity. This method can be applied to broad feedstocks, including terminal alkenes, internal alkenes, aryl iodides, aryl bromides, aryl chlorides, electron-deficient benzonitriles, and isonicotinonitriles.

Cooperative Catalytic Coupling of Benzyl Chlorides and Bromides with Electron-Deficient Alkenes

Benzyl radicals are an important class of intermediate. The use of visible light to generate them directly from their respective halides is an ideal synthetic strategy. The central impediment associated with their direct single-electron reduction (photo- or electro-) lies in their highly variable and structurally dependent reduction potential, which combine to make the identification of a general set of conditions difficult. Herein, we have employed a strategy of nucleophilic cooperative catalysis in which catalytic lutidine undergoes halide substitution, which decreases and levels the reduction potential. This allows a general set of photocatalytic conditions to transform a broad range of benzyl halides into radicals that can be used in the synthesis of more complex molecules, exemplified here by Giese coupling with electron-deficient alkenes.

Photocatalytic Radical Cascade Dehalogenation/Carbo-cyclization/Sulfonylation Leading to Indole- and Benzofuran-Based Benzylic Sulfones

This study presents a convenient approach to the synthesis of indole- and benzofuran-based benzylic sulfones using unactivated alkynes containing aryl iodides and sodium sulfinates under visible light irradiation. The procedure involves a sequential series of dehalogenation, carbo-cyclization, and radical sulfonylation. Plausible insights into the reaction mechanism are derived from control experiments, leading to the proposal of a radical cascade reaction pathway.

Visible-Light-Promoted Aryl Cation Formation: Aromatic SN1 Reactions of Areneazo-2-(2-nitro)propanes

The visible light excitation of areneazo-2-(2-nitro)propane·HCl salts generated the singlet aryl cation that readily underwent aromatic SN1 reactions with a variety of nucleophiles. The in situ generated singlet aryl cation was stabilized by a counter nitronate anion that prevented other intersystem crossing and single electron transfer processes. With the improved safety features of neutral areneazo-2-(2-nitro)propane derivatives, the current visible-light-promoted aromatic SN1 reactions provide an alternative aryl Csp2-X bond forming strategy.

Visible-Light-Promoted Catalyst-Free Oxyarylation and Hydroarylation of Alkenes with Carbon Dioxide Radical Anion

Visible-light-mediated oxyarylation and hydroarylation of alkenes with aryl halides using formate salts as the reductant and hydrogen source under ambient conditions were developed. These protocols represent rare catalyst-free examples of the realization of such transformations. Using styrenes as substrates, oxyarylation could occur smoothly. Whereas, hydroarylation proceeds employing electron deficient alkenes. Moreover, dehalogenation proceeds successfully in the absence of alkenes. We expected that this method could provide a valuable strategy for the functionalization of aryl halides.

Radical cation Diels–Alder reactions of arylidene cycloalkanes

TiO2 photoelectrochemical and electrochemical radical cation Diels–Alder reactions of arylidene cycloalkanes are described, leading to the construction of spiro ring systems. Although the mechanism remains an open question, arylidene cyclobutanes are found to be much more effective in the reaction than other cycloalkanes. Since the reaction is completed with a substoichiometric amount of electricity, a radical cation chain pathway is likely to be involved.

Visible-Light Photocatalytic Reduction of Aryl Halides as a Source of Aryl Radicals

Aryl- and heteroaryl units are present in a wide variety of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and functional materials. The method for reduction of aryl halides with ubiquitous distribution is highly sought after for late-stage construction of various aromatic compounds. The visible-light-driven reduction of aryl halides to aryl radicals by electron transfer provides an efficient, simple, and environmentally friendly method for the construction of aromatic compounds. This review summarizes the recent progress in the generation of aryl radicals by visible-light-driven reduction of aryl halides with metal complexes, organic compounds, semiconductors as catalysts, and alkali-assisted reaction system. The ability and mechanism of reduction of aromatic halides in various visible light induced systems are summarized, intending to illustrate a comprehensive introduction of this research topic to the readers.

Photoinduced arylation of chloroarenes in flow: synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls

A photoflow cross-coupling reaction of unactivated arenes and aryl chlorides is developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryl products.

A two-phase bromination process using tetraalkylammonium hydroxide for the practical synthesis of α-bromolactones from lactones

A simple and efficient method for α-brominating lactones that affords α-bromolactones under mild conditions using tetraalkylammonium hydroxide (R₄N⁺OH^-) as a base was developed. Lactones are ring-opened with Br₂ and a substoichiometric amount of PBr₃, leading to good yields of the corresponding α-bromocarboxylic acids. Subsequent intramolecular cyclization over 1 h using a two-phase system (H₂O/CHCl₃) containing R₄N⁺OH^- afforded α-bromo lactones in good yields. This method can be applied at the 10 mmol scale using simple operations. α-Bromo-δ-valerolactone, which is extremely reactive and difficult to isolate, could be isolated and stored in a freezer for about one week using the developed method. Optimizing the solvent for environmentally friendly large-scale syntheses revealed that methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) was as effective. In addition, in situ-generated α-bromo-δ-valerolactone was directly converted into a sulfur-substituted functional lactone without difficulty by reacting it with a sulfur nucleophile in one pot without isolation. This new bromination system is expected to facilitate the industrial use of α-bromolactones as important intermediates.

First-Row d-Block Element-Catalyzed Carbon-Boron Bond Formation and Related Processes

Organoboron reagents represent a unique class of compounds because of their utility in modern synthetic organic chemistry, often affording unprecedented reactivity. The transformation of the carbon-boron bond into a carbon-X (X = C, N, and O) bond in a stereocontrolled fashion has become invaluable in medicinal chemistry, agrochemistry, and natural products chemistry as well as materials science. Over the past decade, first-row d-block transition metals have become increasingly widely used as catalysts for the formation of a carbon-boron bond, a transformation traditionally catalyzed by expensive precious metals. This recent focus on alternative transition metals has enabled growth in fundamental methods in organoboron chemistry. This review surveys the current state-of-the-art in the use of first-row d-block element-based catalysts for the formation of carbon-boron bonds.

Metal-, Photocatalyst-, and Light-Free Minisci C-H Acetylation of N-Heteroarenes with Vinyl Ethers

Herein, we report a mild, operationally simple method for Minisci C-H acetylation of N-heteroarenes using vinyl ethers as robust, inexpensive acetyl sources. The reactions do not require a conventional photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, metal catalysis, light activation, or high temperature. This method is thus significantly more sustainable than previously reported methods in terms of cost, reagent toxicity, and waste generation. This protocol can be expected to obtain medically relevant molecules from abundant feedstock materials.

Synthetic Semiconductor Photoelectrochemistry

In the field of synthetic organic chemistry, photochemical and electrochemical approaches are often considered to be competing technologies that induce single electron transfer (SET). Recently, their fusion, i. e., the "photoelectrochemical" approach, has become the focus of attention. In this approach, both solar and electrical energy are used in creative combinations. Historically, the term "photoelectrochemistry" has been used in more inorganic fields, where a photovoltaic effect exhibited by semiconducting materials is employed. Semiconductors have also been studied intensively as photocatalysts; however, they recently have taken a back seat to molecular photocatalysts. In this account, we would like to revisit semiconductor photocatalysts in the field of synthetic organic chemistry to demonstrate that semiconductor "photoelectrochemical" approaches are more than mere alternatives to molecular photochemical and/or electrochemical approaches.

Coupling Photocatalysis and Substitution Chemistry to Expand and Normalize Redox-Active Halides

Photocatalysis can generate radicals in a controlled fashion and has become an important synthetic strategy. However, limitations due to the reducibility of alkyl halides prevent their broader implementation. Herein we explore the use of nucleophiles that can substitute the halide and serve as an electron capture motif that normalize the variable redox potentials across substrates. When used with photocatalysis, bench-stable, commercially available collidinium salts prove to be excellent radical precursors with a broad scope.

Recent advances in visible-light photocatalytic deuteration reactions

The recent advances in visible-light photocatalytic deuteration of X–H, C–halogen, CC, and other bonds for the synthesis of deuterium-labeled organic molecules have been summarized according to the type of bond deuterated in the reactions.

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.

Rational Design of Triplet Sensitizers for the Transfer of Excited State Photochemistry from UV to Visible

Time Dependent Density Functional Theory has been used to assist the design and synthesis of a series thioxanthone triplet sensitizers. Calculated energies of the triplet excited state (E_T) informed both the type and position of auxochromes placed on the thioxanthone core, enabling fine-tuning of the UV-vis absorptions and associated triplet energies. The calculated results were highly consistent with experimental observation in both the order of the λ_max and E_T values. The synthesized compounds were then evaluated for their efficacies as triplet sensitizers in a variety of UV and visible light preparative photochemical reactions. The results of this study exceeded expectations; in particular [2 + 2] cycloaddition chemistry that had previously been sensitized in the UV was found to undergo cycloaddition at 455 nm (blue) with a 2- to 9-fold increase in productivity (g/h) relative to input power. This study demonstrates the ability of powerful modern computational methods to aid in the design of successful and productive triplet sensitized photochemical reactions.

Visible Light-Induced α-C(sp3)-H Acetalization of Saturated Heterocycles Catalyzed by a Dimeric Gold Complex

Saturated heterocyclic acetals are useful fragments in organic synthesis and other fields. Herein, C(sp³)-H dehydrogenative cross-couplings of ethers, tetrahydrothiophenes, and pyrrolidines were achieved under visible light irradiation by using iodobenzene and an in situ-formed gold complex. The broad functional group compatibility and substrate scope indicate that our strategy is a promising way to synthesize acetal analogues. The method was successfully applied in late-stage modifications of bioactive molecules. Gram scale syntheses and mechanistic studies are also presented.

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.

Photoredox-Mediated Net-Neutral Radical/Polar Crossover Reactions

Radical/Polar Crossover (RPC) chemistry is a rapidly growing subset of photoredox catalysis that is characterized by transformations featuring both radical and ionic modes of reactivity. Net-neutral RPC is particularly interesting in that both the single-electron oxidation and reduction steps occur through interaction with the photocatalyst, thus precluding the need for exogenous oxidants or reductants. As such, these transformations facilitate rapid incorporation of molecular complexity while maintaining mild reaction conditions. This review covers recent advances in photoredox-mediated net-neutral RPC synthetic methods, with a particular emphasis on C-C bond-forming reactions.

Redox-neutral photochemical Heck-type arylation of vinylphenols activated by visible light

Disclosed herein is a photochemical Heck-type arylation of vinylphenols with non-activated aryl and heteroaryl halides under visible light irradiation. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that the colored vinylphenolate anions acted as a strong reducing photoactivator to directly activate (hetero)aryl halides without the need for any sacrificial reductants. The photochemically generated aryl radicals coupled with another molecule of vinylphenol to afford the Heck-type arylation product in a regiospecific and stereoselective manner. The developed photochemical arylation protocol showed exceptional functional group tolerance and was successfully applied in the challenging late-stage modification of natural products without any protection-deprotection procedures.

Intermolecular oxyarylation of olefins with aryl halides and TEMPOH catalyzed by the phenolate anion under visible light

The phenolate anion was developed as a new photocatalyst with strong reduction potentials (−3.16 V vs. SCE) to reduction of aryl halides to aryl radicals through single electron transfer.

Metal-free insertion of sulfur dioxide with aryl iodides under ultraviolet irradiation: direct access to sulfonated cyclic compounds

Metal-free insertion of sulfur dioxide with aryl iodides and silyl enolates or allylic bromide under ultraviolet irradiation at room temperature is accomplished. This protocol provides a convenient route to sulfonated cyclic compounds under mild conditions.

Photoinduced synthesis of 2-sulfonylacetonitriles with the insertion of sulfur dioxide under ultraviolet irradiation

Metal-free insertion of sulfur dioxide with aryl iodides and 3-azido-2-methylbut-3-en-2-ol under ultraviolet irradiation at room temperature is achieved, giving rise to 2-(arylsulfonyl)acetonitriles in moderate to good yields. Alkyl iodide is also workable under these conditions. This transformation proceeds smoothly under mild conditions with a broad substrate scope. Various functional groups are compatible including amino, ester, halo, and trifluoromethyl groups. No metal catalyst or additive is needed during the reaction process. Mechanistic studies show that under ultraviolet irradiation, an aryl radical is generated in situ from aryl iodide, which undergoes subsequent sulfonylation via the insertion of sulfur dioxide leading to arylsulfonyl radical intermediates. Then the arylsulfonyl radical reacts with 3-azido-2-methylbut-3-en-2-ol giving rise to the corresponding 2-(arylsulfonyl)acetonitrile.

Theoretical mechanistic study of metallaphotoredox catalysis: C–N cross-coupling via Ni(ii)-mediated σ-bond metathesis

A radical mechanism merging *Ir^III reductive quenching and Ni^II-mediated σ-bond metathesis has been proposed for metallaphotoredox catalyzed C–N cross-coupling.

Photochemical Dehalogenation of Aryl Halides: Importance of Halogen Bonding

Upon UVA irradiation, aryl halides can undergo dehalogenation in the presence of bases and methanol as a hydrogen donor. This catalyst-free photochemical dehalogenation is furnished through a facile radical chain reaction under mild conditions. The chain reaction follows UVA irradiation of the reaction mixture in a transition-metal-free environment. Mechanistic studies support a chain mechanism in which initiation involves absorption by a methoxide-bromoarene complex facilitated by halogen-bonding interactions. The methoxide-bromine interaction leads to a weakened Br-C bond that is prone to facile cleavage during the initiation and propagation steps.

Metal-free defluorinative arylation of trifluoromethyl alkenes via photoredox catalysis

Literature methods to access gem-difluoroalkenes are largely limited to harsh, organometallic-based methods, and known photoredox-mediated processes are not amenable to aryl radical addition to trifluoromethyl alkenes. A metal-free, functional group-tolerant method for the preparation of benzylic gem-difluoroalkenes is described. Halogen atom abstraction from (hetero)aryl halides generates aryl radicals that undergo a defluorinative arylation of α-trifluoromethyl alkenes, tolerating electronically disparate aryl radicals and α-trifluoromethyl alkenes.

Synthesis of β-Sulfonyl Amides through a Multicomponent Reaction with the Insertion of Sulfur Dioxide under Visible Light Irradiation

A multicomponent reaction of styrenes, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, sulfur dioxide, nitriles, and water in the presence of a photocatalyst at room temperature is performed. This vicinal aminosulfonylation of styrenes with the insertion of sulfur dioxide under visible light irradiation proceeds efficiently with excellent chemoselectivity, giving rise to the corresponding β-sulfonyl amides in moderate to good yields.

Visible-light-mediated Minisci C-H alkylation of heteroarenes with unactivated alkyl halides using O2 as an oxidant

Herein, we report a protocol for direct visible-light-mediated Minisci C-H alkylation of heteroarenes with unactivated alkyl halides using molecular oxygen as an oxidant at room temperature. This mild protocol is compatible with a wide array of sensitive functional groups and has a broad substrate scope. Notably, functionalization of (iso)quinolines, pyridines, phenanthrolines, quinazoline, and other heterocyclic compounds with unactivated primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides proceeds smoothly under the standard conditions. The robustness of this protocol is further demonstrated by the late-stage functionalization of complex nitrogen-containing natural products and drugs.