Visible-light-induced oxidant and metal-free dehydrogenative cascade trifluoromethylation and oxidation of 1,6-enynes with water

Substituent-Controlled Copper-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of 1,7-Dienes: Synthesis of Mono- and Bis-trifluoromethylated Benzoxepines

A copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of benzene-linked 1,7-dienes with 1-trifluoromethyl-1,2-benziodoxole via a radical cascade cyclization process for the synthesis of mono- and bis-trifluoromethylated benzoxepines is developed. The selectivity depends on substituents on the double bond of the allyl group in 1,7-dienes. The large-scale operation and late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules reveal the promising utility of this protocol.

2,3-Difunctionalization of quinones: a gold-catalyzed cascade approach for trifluoromethyl-amination or sulfoximination

A one-pot domino protocol employing gold(I) catalysis has been developed for the cascade trifluoromethyl-amination/sulfoximination of quinones. Togni I serves as the trifluoromethyl installing precursor, while amine or sulfoximine serves as the aminating source. Preliminary investigations suggest a mutual activation of Togni I and the amine precursor, facilitating the facile difunctionalization of quinones with excellent regioselectivity. Extensive substrate scope exploration demonstrates moderate to good yields of difunctionalized products. Application to the natural product Juglone highlights its potential for late-stage modifications in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

Visible-Light-Induced Radical Sulfonylative-Cyclization Cascade of 1,6-Enynol Derivatives with Sulfinic Acids: A Sustainable Approach for the Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Benzoheteroles

Benzoheteroles are promising structural scaffolds in the realm of medicinal chemistry, but sustainable synthesis of 2,3-difunctionalized benzoheterole derivatives is still in high demand. Indeed, we have conceptually rationalized the intrinsic reactivity of propargylic-enyne systems for the flexible construction of 2,3-disubstituted benzoheteroles through radical sulfonylative-cyclization cascade under organophotoredox catalysis. We hereby report an efficient visible-light-induced sulfonyl radical-triggered cyclization of 1,6-enynols with sulfinic acids under the dual catalytic influence of 4CzIPN and NiBr2⋅DME, which led to the formation of 2,3-disubstituted benzoheteroles in good to high yields. Additionally, the Rose Bengal (RB)-catalyzed radical sulfonylative-cycloannulation of acetyl-derived 1,6-enynols with sulfinic acids under blue LED irradiation allowed to access 3-(E-styryl)-derived benzofurans and benzothiophenes in moderate to good yields. The scope and limitations of the present strategies were successfully established using different classes of 1,6-enynols and sulfinic acids bearing various sensitive functional groups, yielding the desired products in a highly stereoselective fashion. Plausible mechanistic pathways were also proposed based on the current experimental and control experiments.

Blue-Light Irradiated Mn(0)-Catalyzed Hydroxylation and C(sp3 )-H Functionalization of Unactivated Alkanes with C(sp2 )-H Bonds of Quinones for Alkylated Hydroxy Quinones and Parvaquone

Site-selective C(sp3 )-H functionalization of unreactive hydrocarbons is always challenging due to its inherited chemical inertness, slightly different reactivity of various C-H bonds, and intrinsically high bond dissociation energies. Here, a site-selective C-H alkylation of naphthoquinone with unactivated hydrocarbons using Mn2 (CO)10 as a catalyst under blue-light (457 nm) irradiation without any external acid or base and pre-functionalization is presented. The selective C-H functionalization of tertiary over secondary and secondary over primary C(sp3 )-H bonds in abundant chemical feedstocks was achieved, and hydroxylation of quinones was realized in situ by employing the developed methodology. This protocol provides a new catalytic system for the direct construction of high-value-added compounds, namely, parvaquone (a commercially available drug used to treat theileriosis) and its derivatives under ambient reaction conditions. Moreover, this operationally simple protocol applies to various linear-, branched-, and cyclo-alkanes with high degrees of site selectivity under blue-light irradiated conditions and could provide rapid and straightforward access to versatile methodologies for upgrading feedstock chemicals. Mechanistic insight by radical trapping, radical scavenging, EPR, and other controlled experiments well corroborated with DFT studies suggest that the reaction proceeds by a radical pathway.

Synthesis of Acylhydroquinones through Visible-Light-Mediated Hydroacylation of Quinones with α-Keto Acids

A mild and eco-friendly visible-light-induced protocol for the hydroacylation of quinones with α-keto acids has been developed. In the absence of any catalyst or additive, the decarboxylative hydroacylation proceeded smoothly under visible-light irradiation at room temperature. A wide range of quinones and α-keto acids were well-tolerated and afforded hydroacylation products up to 88% isolated yield. The reaction can be scaled up, and the induced groups are useful for further synthetic applications. Preliminarily, mechanistic studies indicated that photoactive quinones absorb visible light to facilitate the transformation.

Cu-catalyzed convenient synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl benzimidazoles via cyclization of o-phenylenediamines with hexafluoroacetylacetone

An efficient and convenient method for the synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl benzimidazoles is described in this paper. The cyclization reaction of various o-phenylenediamines with hexafluoroacetylacetone proceeded smoothly in the presence of Cu2O as the catalyst to produce 2-trifluoromethyl benzimidazoles in satisfactory to excellent yields (up to >99% yield). The CF3 source, hexafluoroacetylacetone, acted not only as cyclization partner, but also acted as a ligand for the Cu catalyst. Various synthetically useful functional groups, such as halogen atoms, cyano, and methoxycarbonyl groups, remained intact during the cyclization reactions. The reaction mechanism was thoroughly investigated and was determined to involve a seven-membered cyclic diimine intermediate.

One-Step Synthesis of 7-Bromobenzo[c]chromeno[4,3,2-gh]phenanthridines through a Sequential Bromination/Cyclization/Aromatization Reaction Using N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS)

Herein, metal- and oxidant-free synthesis of 7-bromobenzo[c]chromeno[4,3,2-gh]phenanthridines is reported using N-bromosuccinimide. Sequential regioselective bromination, intramolecular ring cyclization, and aromatization reactions occur in a single step through a successive radical-catalyzed pathway. The mechanistic pathway for the cyclization is supported by a DFT study. Selective bromination in the fully aromatic skeleton is accomplished without involving additional aromatic electrophilic ring bromination. As a synthetic application, the Suzuki coupling reaction of compound 5a with boronic acid is reported to get compound 8a. Aggregation-induced emission of one of the synthesized compounds (5h) is also investigated in THF/hexane solvent along with concentration-dependent emission spectroscopy.

Photoredox and Copper Dual-Catalyzed Cyclization of Alkyne-tethered α-Bromocarbonyls

The synergistic systems of photoredox and copper catalyst have already appeared as a novel formation of green synthetic chemistry, which open new avenues for chemical synthesis applications. We describe a novel strategy for the cyclization of alkyne-tethered α-bromocarbonyls initiated by the cleavage of C(sp3 )-Br bond via the collaboration of photoredox and copper catalyst. The present protocol exhibits mildness using economical copper catalyst and visible-light at room temperature. The gram-scale and sunlight irradiation experiments proceeded smoothly to show the practicality of the methodology. It is notable that the newly generated oxygen in the product originates from H2 O.

Mn-Mediated Direct Regioselective C-H Trifluoromethylation of Imidazopyridines and Quinoxalines

A simple and highly efficient strategy has been developed for direct C-H trifluoromethylation at C-3 of imidazopyridines and C-8 of quinoxalines with readily available Langlois reagent through KMnO₄/AcOH system. This protocol showed broad substrate scope and afforded moderate-to-excellent yields of both products. It is the first report that the functionalization of quinoxalines occurred regioselectively at the C-8 position of quinoxalines. Mechanistic studies revealed that reaction proceeded via radical pathway.

Photo- or Electrochemical Cyclization of Dienes with Diselenides to Access Seleno-Benzo[b]azepines

A cascade selenylation/cyclization of dienes with diselenides has been realized under visible-light irradiation or electrolysis conditions. Employing O₂ or electricity as a "green" oxidant, this protocol provides a green and efficient method for an array of biologically important seleno-benzo[b]azepine derivatives in moderate to good yields. The direct sunlight irradiation and gram-scale reaction render the approach practical and attractive.

Green Synthesis of Aromatic Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles by Catalytic and Non-Traditional Activation Methods

Recent advances in the environmentally benign synthesis of aromatic N-heterocycles are reviewed, focusing primarily on the application of catalytic methods and non-traditional activation. This account features two main parts: the preparation of single ring N-heterocycles, and their condensed analogs. Both groups include compounds with one, two and more N-atoms. Due to the large number of protocols, this account focuses on providing representative examples to feature the available methods.

Blue Light Irradiated Metal-, Oxidant-, and Base-Free Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of C(sp2)-H and N-H Bonds: Amination of Naphthoquinones with Amines

Herein, we report a blue-light-driven amination of C(sp²)-H bond of naphthoquinones and quinones with the N-H bond of primary and secondary amines for the synthesis of 2-amino-naphthoquinones and 2-amino-quinones. The coupling of naphthoquinones with a wide array of aliphatic, aromatic, chiral, primary, and secondary amines having electron donating (-CH₃, -OCH₃, -SCH₃), withdrawing (-F, -Cl, -Br, -I), and CO₂H, -OH, -NH₂ groups with acidic protons selectively occurred to afford C-N coupled 2-amino-naphthoquinones in 60-99% yields and hydrogen gas as a byproduct in methanol solvent without using any additional reagents, additives, and oxidant under the blue light irradiation. Mechanistic insight by DFT computation, controlled experiments, kinetic isotopic effect, and substitution effect of the substrates suggest that the reaction proceeds by radical pathway in which naphthoquinone forms a highly oxidizing naphthoquinonyl biradical upon irradiation of blue light (457 nm). Consequently, electron transfer from electron-rich amine to an oxidizing naphthoquinonyl biradical leads to a naphthoquinonyl radical anion and aminyl radical cation, followed by proton transfer and delocalization leading to a carbon-centered naphthoquinonyl radical. The cross-coupling of naphthoquinonyl carbon-centered and aminyl nitrogen radicals forms a C-N bond, with subsequent elimination of hydrogen gas (which was also confirmed by GC-TCD), affording 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone under metal-, reagent-, base-, and oxidant-free conditions.

Recent advances in the application of Langlois' reagent in olefin difunctionalization

In this review, we summarise the recent applications of Langlois' reagent in the radical-mediated difunctionalization of alkenes. Among the various trifluoromethylation reagents, Langlois' reagent is an exceptional compound, and many important organic transformations have been realized by employing such reagents. Various organic transformations of Langlois' reagent, especially in radical chemistry, have been developed in recent years. This review describes several key activation methods for Langlois' reagent in the difunctionalization of alkenes by showcasing selected cornerstone research areas and related mechanisms to stimulate the interest of readers in promoting the wider development and application of Langlois' reagent.

Direct Synthesis of Benzo[b]fluorenyl Thiophosphates via Tandem Cyclization of Diynols with (RO)2P(O)SH

A general and metal-free protocol for the construction of benzo[b]fluorenyl thiophosphates was developed through the cascade cyclization of easily prepared diynols and (RO)₂P(O)SH, with water as the only byproduct. The novel transformation involved the allenyl thiophosphate as the key intermediate, followed by Schmittel-type cyclization to achieve the desired products. Notably, (RO)₂P(O)SH acted not only as a nucleophile but also as an acid-promoter to initiate the reaction.

Visible-light-induced cascade reaction: a sustainable approach towards molecular complexity

Photoredox catalysis has demonstrated rapid evolution in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. On the other hand, the splendour of cascade reactions in providing complex molecular architectures renders them a cutting-edge research area. Therefore, the merging of photocatalysis with cascade synthesis brings out a synthetic paradigm with immense potential. The development of photocascade catalysis for a target molecule with a particular molecular skeleton and stereochemical framework presents certain challenges but provides a robust and environmentally benign synthetic alternative. This comprehensive review assembles all the accomplishments and highlights of visible-light-induced cascade reactions with literature coverage up to October 2022.

Unified Radical Sulfonylative-Annulation of 1,6-Enynols with Sodium Sulfinates: A Modular Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Benzoheteroles

Benzoheteroles are valuable scaffolds in medicinal chemistry, but the direct synthesis of 3-vinyl benzoheterole analogues remains unexplored. A rationally designed new class of 1,6-enyne-containing propargylic alcohols has been prepared for the modular synthesis of 3-alkenyl benzoheteroles. Ag-catalyzed cascade radical sulfonylative-cycloannulation of 1,6-enynols with sodium sulfinates is realized to access a wide variety of 2,3-disubstituted benzoheteroles in good to high yields. Moreover, a three-component coupling of 1,6-enynols, aryldiazonium salts, and Na₂S₂O₅ (as an SO₂ surrogate) has been achieved to deliver benzoheterole derivatives in moderate to good yields. Of note, a scalable reaction and late-stage synthetic transformations were successfully demonstrated. A plausible mechanism is also presented based on the existing experimental results and control experiments.

Difunctionalization of Dienes, Enynes and Related Compounds via Sequential Radical Addition and Cyclization Reactions

Radical reactions are powerful in creating carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Designing one-pot radical reactions with cascade transformations to assemble the cyclic skeletons with two new functional groups is both synthetically and operationally efficient. Summarized in this paper is the recent development of reactions involving radical addition and cyclization of dienes, diynes, enynes, as well as arene-bridged and arene-terminated compounds for the preparation of difunctionalization cyclic compounds. Reactions carried out with radical initiators, transition metal-catalysis, photoredox, and electrochemical conditions are included.

Light-Driven Carbon-Carbon Coupling of α-sp3-CH of Aliphatic Alcohols with sp2-CH Bond of 1,4-Naphthoquinones

Here, an α-selective C_sp3-H bond functionalization of primary aliphatic alcohols with 1,4-naphthoquinones yielded C_sp²-C_sp² coupled products driven by blue-LED light under catalyst, metal, base, and reagent-free conditions. In this transformation, cleavage of three C-H bonds (two sp³-C-H, one sp²-C-H, and one O-H) and four new bonds formed, leading to fluorescent 2-acylated-1,4-naphthohydroquinones.

Visible-light-induced indole synthesis via intramolecular C-N bond formation: desulfonylative C(sp2)-H functionalization

Despite significant advances made on the synthesis of indole derivatives through photochemical strategies during the past several years, the requirement of equivalent amounts of oxidants, bases or other additional additives has limited their practical applications in the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals as environment-friendly processes. Herein, we report LED visible-light-induced redox neutral desulfonylative C(sp2)-H functionalization for the synthesis of N-substituted indoles with a broad scope through γ-fragmentation under mild conditions in the absence of any additional additive. The reaction mechanism paradigm has been investigated on the basis of deuterium labeling experiments, kinetic analysis, Hammett plotting analysis and DFT calculations.

Visible-Light-Promoted bis(Difluoromethylation)/Cyclization of 2-Vinyloxy Arylalkynes to Prepare Benzofuran Derivatives

A visible-light-promoted difluoromethylation/cyclization of 2-vinyloxy arylalkynes was developed, providing a variety of bis(difluoromethyl)-substituted benzofurans in moderate to good yields. A plausible mechanism involving difluoromethyl radical cascade cyclization and solvent-promoted ionic addition was proposed. This protocol has the advantages of having mild reaction conditions, simple operation, and good functional group tolerance.

Visible-Light-Enabled Ph3P/LiI-Promoted Tandem Radical Trifluoromethylation/Cyclization/Iodination of 1,6-Enynes with Togni's Reagent

We report the visible-light-induced Ph₃P/LiI-promoted intermolecular cascade trifluoromethyl radical addition/5-exo-dig cyclization/iodination of 1,6-enynes with Togni's reagent using LiI as the iodine source without the need of the transition metal, oxidant, and base. This reaction promises to be a useful method for the preparation of trifluoromethyl-substituted and vinyl C-I bond-containing pyrrolidines and benzofuran products with good regioselectivity and functional-group tolerance under ambient conditions.

Stereoselective Cyclization Cascade of Dihydroquinoxalinones by Visible-Light Photocatalysis: Access to the Polycyclic Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

An intriguing stereoselective visible-light photocatalysis of dihydroquinoxalinone derivatives has been realized via cyclization with or without the solvolysis cascade. The reactions provided the polycyclic ring structures with efficient formation of multiple bonds and with high stereoselectivity. X-ray crystallography unequivocally determined the structures of five polycyclic products.

Visible-Light-Induced 1,6-Enynes Triggered C-Br Bond Homolysis of Bromomalonates: Solvent-Controlled Divergent Synthesis of Carbonylated and Hydroxylated Benzofurans

Visible-light-induced 1,6-enyne-triggered C-Br bond homolysis of bromomalonates has been developed. This transition-metal-free, photocatalyst-free, and oxidant- and additive-free protocol affords an efficient approach for divergent synthesis of carbonylated and hydroxylated benzofurans from 1,6-enynes and bromomalonates under mild conditions. Significantly, mechanistic studies reveal that the homolysis of C-Br bonds appears to experience an energy-transfer pathway, and the atom-transfer radical addition products are the key intermediates to generate carbonylated and hydroxylated benzofurans.

Tetravalent Spiroselenurane Catalysts: Intramolecular Se···N Chalcogen Bond-Driven Catalytic Disproportionation of H2O2 to H2O and O2 and Activation of I2 and NBS

Chalcogen-bonding interactions have recently gained considerable attention in the field of synthetic chemistry, structure, and bonding. Here, three organo-spiroselenuranes, having a Se(IV) center with a strong intramolecular Se···N chalcogen-bonded interaction, have been isolated by the oxidation of the respective bis(2-benzamide) selenides derived from an 8-aminoquinoline ligand. Further, the synthesized spiroselenuranes, when assayed for their antioxidant activity, show disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide into H₂O and O₂ with first-order kinetics with respect to H₂O₂ for the first time by any organoselenium molecules as monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Electron-donating 5-methylthio-benzamide ring-substituted spiroselenurane disproportionates hydrogen peroxide at a high rate of 15.6 ± 0.4 × 10³ μM min^-1 with a rate constant of 8.57 ± 0.50 × 10^-3 s^-1, whereas 5-methoxy and unsubstituted-benzamide spiroselenuranes catalyzed the disproportionation of H₂O₂ at rates of 7.9 ± 0.3 × 10³ and 2.9 ± 0.3 × 10³ μM min^-1 with rate constants of 1.16 ± 0.02 × 10^-3 and 0.325 ± 0.025 × 10^-3 s^-1, respectively. The evolved oxygen gas from the spiroselenurane-catalyzed disproportion of H₂O₂ has also been confirmed by a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GCTCD) and a portable digital polarographic dissolved O₂ probe. Additionally, the synthesized spiroselenuranes exhibit thiol peroxidase antioxidant activities for the reduction of H₂O₂ by a benzenethiol co-reductant monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy. Next, the Se···N bonded spiroselenuranes have been explored as catalysts in synthetic oxidation iodolactonization and bromination of arenes. The synthesized spiroselenurane has activated I₂ toward the iodolactonization of alkenoic acids under base-free conditions. Similarly, efficient chemo- and regioselective monobromination of various arenes with NBS catalyzed by chalcogen-bonded synthesized spiroselenuranes has been achieved. Mechanistic insight into the spiroselenuranes in oxidation reactions has been gained by ⁷⁷Se NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-visible spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray structure, and theoretical (DFT, NBO, and AIM) studies. It seems that the highly electrophilic nature of the selenium center is attributed to the presence of an intramolecular Se···N interaction and a vacant coordination site in spiroselenuranes is crucial for the activation of H₂O₂, I₂, and NBS. The reaction of H₂O₂, I₂, and NBS with tetravalent spiroselenurane would lead to an octahedral-Se(VI) intermediate, which is reduced back to Se(IV) due to thermodynamic instability of selenium in its highest oxidation state and the presence of a strong intramolecular N-donor atom.

Visible-Light-Mediated Three-Component Radical Iodosulfonylative Cyclization of Enynes

An efficient three-component radical iodosulfonylative cyclization of enynes is described. The visible-light irradiation of iodoform with sulfinates enables sulfonyl radical generation under catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions and triggers the radical addition, cyclization and iodination cascade reactions, giving various vinyl iodide containing sulfones in moderate to good yields.

Photoinduced Cascade C-N/C═O Bond Formation from Bromodifluoroalkyl Reagents, Amines, and H2O via a Triple-Cleavage Process

A green, sustainable, and straightforward method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical oxalamides via photoinduced C-N/C═O bond formation of bromodifluoroacetamide, amine, and H₂O through a triple-cleavage process has been developed. In addition, this approach also provides access to the known bioactive compounds, and a feasible reaction mechanism is proposed. Moreover, the advantages of this transformation, including mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and operational simplicity, make this protocol attractive for further applications.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade 5-endo-dig Cyclization of Ynamides to Form 4-Alkynyloxazolones

The selective synthesis of 4-alkynyloxazolones and their further applications as substrates to electrophile-promoted nucleophilic cyclization have been developed. The reaction of ynamides with terminal alkynes proceeded smoothly to give 4-alkynyloxazolones in the presence of a catalytic amount of palladium(II) acetate. The products were obtained with the sequential formation of new C-C and C-O bonds via a cascade procedure. The first step involved a carbon-oxygen bond formation, via a 5-endo-dig closure, which was confirmed by X-ray analyses of the crystalline sample. Subsequently, the reaction of 4-alkynyloxazolones with an electrophilic selenium source gave 3-phenylselanyl benzofuran derivatives via an electrophile-promoted nucleophilic cyclization.

Proton reduction by a bimetallic zinc selenolate electrocatalyst

The development of alternative energy sources is the utmost priority of developing society. Unlike many prior homogeneous electrocatalysts that rely on a change in the oxidation state of the metal center and/or electrochemically active ligand, here we report the synthesis and structural characterization of a bimetallic zinc selenolate complex consisting of a redox silent zinc metal ion and a tridentate ligand that catalyzes the reduction of protons into hydrogen gas electrochemically and displays one of the highest reported TOF for a homogeneous TM-metal free ligand centered HER catalyst, 509 s-1. The current-voltage analysis confirms the onset overpotential of 0.86 V vs. Ag/AgCl for the HER process. Constant potential electrolysis (CPE) has been carried out to study the bulk electrolysis of our developed protocol, which reveals that the bimetallic zinc selenolate catalyst is stable under cathodic as well as anodic potentials and generates hydrogen gas with a faradaic efficiency of 75%. Preliminary studies on the heterogeneous catalyst were conducted by depositing the bimetallic zinc selenolate catalyst on the electrode surface.

Visible-light-mediated defluorinative cyclization of α-fluoro-β-enamino esters catalyzed by 4-CzIPN

Using 4-CzIPN as an energy transfer (EnT) photocatalyst and α-fluoro-β-enamino esters as the substrates, a mild 6π-photocyclization/defluorination of N-aryl enamines was carried out to efficiently construct indoles without oxidant and...

Water oxidation by Brønsted acid-catalyzed in situ generated thiol cation: dual function of the acid catalyst leading to transition metal-free substitution and addition reactions of S-S bonds

An unprecedented water oxidation reaction by a small organic molecule, i.e., the thiol cation generated in situ by Brønsted acid-catalyzed heterolytic cleavage of S-S bond of a disulfide, is observed...

Phenanthrenequinone-Sensitized Photocatalytic Synthesis of Polysubstituted Quinolines from 2-Vinylarylimines

Visible-light-excited 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ*) was used as a photocatalyst for the synthesis of polysubstituted quinolines via the electrocyclization of 2-vinylarylimines. Up to quantitative yields of 2,4-disubstituted quinolines were received after 1 h of excitation with blue LEDs at room temperature when MgCO₃ was used as an additive in DCM. On the basis of experimental and DFT studies, we propose that PQ* induces one-electron oxidation of the imine substrate that triggers the electrocyclization mechanism.

De novo design and synthesis of dipyridopurinone derivatives as visible-light photocatalysts in productive guanylation reactions

Described here is the de novo design and synthesis of a series of 6H-dipyrido[1,2-e:2',1'-i]purin-6-ones (DPs) as a new class of visible-light photoredox catalysts (PCs). The synthesized DP1-5 showed their λ _Abs(max) values in 433-477 nm, excited state redox potentials in 1.15-0.69 eV and -1.41 to -1.77 eV (vs. SCE), respectively. As a representative, DP4 enables the productive guanylation of various amines, including 1°, 2°, and 3°-alkyl primary amines, secondary amines, aryl and heteroaryl amines, amino-nitrile, amino acids and peptides as well as propynylamines and α-amino esters giving diversities in biologically important guanidines and cyclic guanidines. The photocatalytic efficacy of DP4 in the guanylation overmatched commonly used Ir and Ru polypyridyl complexes, and some organic PCs. Other salient merits of this method include broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance, gram-scale synthesis, and versatile late-stage derivatizations that led to a derivative 81 exhibiting 60-fold better anticancer activity against Ramos cells with the IC₅₀ of 0.086 μM than that of clinical drug ibrutinib (5.1 μM).

Photomicellar Catalyzed Synthesis of Amides from Isocyanides: Optimization, Scope, and NMR Studies of Photocatalyst/Surfactant Interactions

The merging of micellar and photoredox catalysis represents a key issue to promote "in water" photochemical transformations. A photomicellar catalyzed synthesis of amides from N-methyl-N-alkyl aromatic amines and both aliphatic and aromatic isocyanides is herein presented. The mild reaction conditions enabled a wide substrate scope and a good functional groups tolerance, as further shown in the late-stage functionalization of complex bioactive scaffolds. Furthermore, solution 1D and 2D NMR experiments performed, for the first time, in the presence of paramagnetic probes enabled the study of the reaction environment at the atomic level along with the localization of the photocatalyst with respect to the micelles, thus providing experimental data to drive the identification of optimum photocatalyst/surfactant pairing.

Photocatalyzed Coupling-Cyclization of ortho-Alkynylaryl Vinylethers with Arylsulfonyl Azides

A novel visible-light-induced coupling-cyclization of ortho-alkynylaryl vinylethers with arylsulfonyl azides has been described. This transformation provided a concise approach to access C3-exocyclic C═C bond/C2-alkylsulfone-tethered benzofurans via a solvent-leveraged carbosulfonylation and [2 + 2 + 3] cyclization. Primary mechanistic studies demonstrated that THF belongs to a crucial H atom source.

Recent Advances in the Green Synthesis of Heterocycles: From Building Blocks to Biologically Active Compounds

Recent advances in the environmentally benign synthesis of common heterocycles are described. This account features three main parts; the preparation of non-aromatic heterocycles, one-ring aromatic heterocycles and their condensed analogs. Due to the great variety of and high interest in these compounds, this work focuses on providing representative examples of the preparation of the target compounds.

Recent Advances on Photoinduced Cascade Strategies for the Synthesis of N-Heterocycles

Over the last decade, visible-light photocatalysis has proved to be a powerful tool for the construction of N-heterocyclic frameworks, important constituents of natural products, insecticides, pharmacologically relevant therapeutic agents and catalysts. This account highlights recent developments and established methods towards the photocatalytic cascades for preparation of different classes of N-heterocycles, giving emphasis on our contribution to the field.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Difluoroalkylation and Phosphinoylation of 2-Vinyloxy Arylalkynes: Selective Synthesis of Difluoroalkyl-Containing Tetrasubstituted Alkenylphosphine Oxides

A Pd-catalyzed difluoroalkylation/cyclization/phosphinoylation of 2-vinyloxy arylalkynes with ethyl difluoroiodoacetate and diarylphosphine oxides has been successfully developed. This reaction allows the formation of C_sp3-CF₂, C_sp3-C_sp2, and C_sp2-P(O) bonds in one step, providing a straightforward route to difluoroalkyl-containing tetrasubstituted alkenylphosphine oxides with complete stereoselectivities under mild conditions.

Acylation of Arenes with Aldehydes through Dual C-H Activations by Merging Photocatalysis and Palladium Catalysis

An acylation of arenes with aldehydes through dual C-H activations at room temperature is reported. The acylation was initiated by phenanthraquinone-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer from aldehyde under visible light irradiation. The aldehyde-derived acyl radical merged with palladium-catalyzed activation of arenes to afford the cross coupling products.

Visible-light-induced and copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of substituted o-aminophenylacetylene for the synthesis of quinoline and indole derivatives

A visible-light-induced and copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of substituted o-aminophenylacetylene for the synthesis of quinoline and indole derivatives was developed.