Photoactivated Reactions without Traditional Photocatalysts: Electron-Donor Complexation of 1,2,3-Triazoles Initiates Denitrogenative Transformations

We present a set of visible-light-promoted denitrogenative transformations of 1,2,3-triazoles that generate high product yields without the use of a traditional, external photocatalyst, with the reaction viable for both benzotriazole and benzotriazinone. Mechanistic studies using UV-vis absorption, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and density functional theory indicate that these reactions are initiated by an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex which forms between N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) and the 1,2,3-triazole. A comprehensive analysis of how irradiation wavelength impacts reactivity was obtained using an online photochemical reactor coupled mass spectrometer, indicating a lack of correlation between absorptivity and photoreactivity for the reaction between benzotriazinone and methyl acrylate. The reaction was photoinitiated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at wavelengths longer than 400 nm, which is unexpected on the basis of solely the absorption spectra of the starting materials.

Substituent-Controlled Regioselective Photoinduced Cyclization of N-Allylbenzamides with N-Sulfonylaminopyridinium Salts

The annulation reactions of N-allylbenzamides with N-sulfonylaminopyridinium salts were developed under metal-free photoinduced mild conditions. Substituent-controlled sulfonaminoarylation and sulfonaminooxylation of benzamides were realized: N-allylbenzamides lead to benzosultams, while N-(2-phenylallyl)benzamides give sulfonamidylated oxazoline derivatives. Control experiments indicated that those reactions undergo a radical pathway with arylsulfonamidyl radicals as the intermediates. The aryl C-H bond functionalization in arylsulfonamidyl was involved for the first time to give benzosultams.

Sulfoxylate Anion Radical-Induced Aryl Radical Generation and Intramolecular Arylation for the Synthesis of Biarylsultams

Aryl radical generation from the corresponding aryl halides using an electron donor and subsequent intramolecular cyclization with arenes could be an important advancement in contemporary biaryl synthesis. A green and practically useful synthetic protocol to access diverse six- and seven-membered biarylsultams especially with a free NH group including demonstration of a gram-scale synthesis is reported herein. The sulfoxylate anion radical (SO₂^-•), generated in situ from the reagents rongalite or sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄), was found to be the key single electron transfer agent forming aryl radicals from aryl halides, which upon intramolecular arylation gives biarylsultams with good to excellent yields. The approach features generation of aryl radicals that remained underexplored, use of a cheap and readily available industrial reagents, and transition metal-free, mild, and green reaction conditions.

Environmentally friendly catechol-based synthesis of dibenzosultams

A scalable reaction for the synthesis of dibenzosultams in water with the aid of K2CO3 and air.

Visible-Light-Induced Transition-Metal-Free Nitrogen-Centered Radical Strategy for the Synthesis of 2-Acylated 9H-Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

A convenient and efficient visible-light-induced tandem acylation/cyclization of N-propargylindoles with aryl- or alkyl-substituted acyl oxime esters for the synthesis of 2-acyl-substituted 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles under transition-metal-free conditions, which proceeds via nitrogen-centered radical-mediated cleavage of the C-C σ-bond in acyl oxime esters, is established. The aryl or alkyl acyl radicals, which come from acyl oxime esters, attack the C-C triple bonds in N-propargylindoles and then go through intramolecular cyclization/isomerization.

Structurally Diverse Synthesis of Five-, Six-, and Seven-Membered Benzosultams through Electrochemical Cyclization

We have developed a metal- and oxidant-free approach to structurally diverse synthesis of benzosultams from aryl sulfonamides through an electrochemical cyclization. Upon variation of the ortho substituent on aryl sulfonamides, five-, six-, and seven-membered benzosultams were efficiently assembled in an atom- and resource-economic manner. The generality of the process is demonstrated by the formation of five- to seven-membered cyclic products from 42 substrates bearing substituents with different electronic effects and steric hindrance.

One-pot synthesis of N-substituted benzannulated triazoles via stable arene diazonium salts

A mild and effective one-pot synthesis of 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-ones and benzothiatriazine-1,1(2H)-dioxide analogues has been developed. The method involves the diazotisation and subsequent cyclisation of 2-aminobenzamides and 2-aminobenzenesulfonamides via stable diazonium salts, prepared using a polymer-supported nitrite reagent and p-tosic acid. The transformation was compatible with a wide range of aryl functional groups and amide/sulfonamide-substituents and was used for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important targets. The synthetic utility of the one-pot diazotisaton-cyclisation process was further demonstrated with the preparation of an α-amino acid containing 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-one.

Transition-Metal-Free Tandem Cyclization/N-Arylation Reaction: A Method To Access Biaryl Sultam Derivatives via a Diradical Pathway

A novel procedure for the transition-metal-free tandem cyclization/N-arylation reaction sequence of an aryne with a 1,2,3,4-benzothiatriazine-1,1-dioxide is reported. This reaction goes through the intramolecular homolytic cyclization to generate an N-H biaryl sultam intermediate, which enables aryne insertion to access diversely functionalized biaryl sultam derivatives with high yields. The mechanism study indicates that homolytic cyclization is executed by a diradical species, initiated from the thermal decomposition of 1,2,3,4-benzothiatriazine-1,1-dioxide to release a nitrogen molecule.

Studies on the preparation of aminobipyridines and bipyridine sultams via an intramolecular free radical pathway

A variety of aminated bipyridines and bipyridine sultams are prepared by intramolecular radical [1,5]-ipso and [1,6]-ortho substitutions, using a sulfonamide as a linker to connect the pyridyl radical to the pyridine under attack. For the cases studied, different regiochemistries are observed depending on the initial position of the sulfonamide linker.

Results show that intramolecular radical [1,5]-ipso and [1,6]-ortho substitutions offer a method for the preparation of aminobipyridines or bipyridine sultams.

Visible-light-induced cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of N-propargylindoles with aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates via the insertion of sulfur dioxide

A simple and efficient visible-light-catalyzed cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of N-propargylindoles with K₂S₂O₅ and aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates for the construction of 2-sulfonyl-substituted 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles is developed.

Palladium-catalyzed annulation of N-alkoxy benzsulfonamides with arynes by C–H functionalization: access to dibenzosultams

Palladium-catalyzed C–H/N–H functionalization of N-alkoxy benzsulfonamides with arynes provides dibenzosultams via C–C/C–N bond formation, accompanied by an unexpected N–O bond cleavage.