Fine-tuned organic photoredox catalysts for fragmentation-alkynylation cascades of cyclic oxime ethers

Photoredox Activation of Fluorinated Organozinc Reagents: Hydrofluoroalkylation of Unactivated and Electron Deficient Alkenes

Hydrofluoroalkylation of alkenes with organozinc reagents under photocatalytic conditions is described. The fluorinated alkyl radicals were generated from organozincs by the single electron oxidation of the carbon-zinc bond. The radical addition step is followed either by hydrogen atom transfer for unactivated olefins or by a reduction/protonation sequence for strongly accepting arylidenemalononitriles.

Organic Dye Photocatalyzed Synthesis of Functionalized Lactones and Lactams via a Cyclization-Alkynylation Cascade

An organic dye photocatalyzed lactonization-alkynylation of easily accessible homoallylic cesium oxalates using ethynylbenziodoxolone (EBX) reagents has been developed. The reaction gave access to valuable functionalized lactones and lactams in up to 88% yield via the formation of two new C-C bonds. The transformation was carried out on primary, secondary, and tertiary homoallylic alcohols and primary homoallylic amines and could be applied to the synthesis of spirocyclic compounds as well as fused and bridged bicyclic lactones.

Structure-reactivity analysis of novel hypervalent iodine reagents in S-vinylation of thiols

The transition-metal free S-vinylation of thiophenols by vinylbenziodoxolones (VBX) constituted an important step forward in hypervalent iodine-mediated vinylations, highlighting the difference to vinyliodonium salts and that the reaction outcome was influenced by the substitution pattern of the benziodoxolone core. In this study, we report several new classes of hypervalent iodine vinylation reagents; vinylbenziodazolones, vinylbenziodoxolonimine and vinyliodoxathiole dioxides. Their synthesis, structural and electronic properties are described and correlated to the S-vinylation outcome, shedding light on some interesting facets of these reagents.

Transformations of carbohydrate derivatives enabled by photocatalysis and visible light photochemistry

This review article highlights the diverse ways in which recent developments in the areas of photocatalysis and visible light photochemistry are impacting synthetic carbohydrate chemistry. The major topics covered are photocatalytic glycosylations, generation of radicals at the anomeric position, transformations involving radical formation at non-anomeric positions, additions to glycals, processes initiated by photocatalytic hydrogen atom transfer from sugars, and functional group interconversions at OH and SH groups. Factors influencing stereo- and site-selectivity in these processes, along with mechanistic aspects, are discussed.

Stereoselective Synthesis Axially Chiral Arylnitriles through Base-Induced Chirality-Relay β-Carbon Elimination of α-Hydroxyl Ketoxime Esters

We report herein a point-to-axial chirality transfer reaction of α-hydroxyl oxime esters for the synthesis of axially chiral arylnitriles. The reaction proceeds smoothly through a base-promoted retro-benzoin condensation reaction of α-hydroxyl oxime esters, where the axial chirality is created via the C-C bond cleavage based on a proper distorted conformation of the biaryl structure induced by its stereogenic carbon center.

A Photosensitizer for N-O Bond Activation: 2,7-Br-4CzIPN-Catalyzed Difunctionalization of Alkenes with Oxime Esters

We developed 2,4,5,6-tetrakis(2,7-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)isophthalonitrile (2,7-Br-4CzIPN) as a new photosensitizer for the energy-transfer-driven N-O bond dissociation of oxime esters. In the presence of 2,7-Br-4CzIPN, difunctionalization of alkenes with oxime esters, including oxyimination, aminocarboxylation, and amidylimination, could afford a variety of versatile molecules in good yields with excellent regioselectivity, which widely occur in natural products and drugs. Our theoretical investigations and experiments have demonstrated that 2,7-Br-4CzIPN has unique photophysical properties, favorable triplet energy, and excellent photocatalytic activity.

Silver-catalyzed cyclization of α-imino-oxy acids to fused tetralone derivatives

A silver-catalyzed intramolecular radical relay cyclization of α-imino-oxy acids under mild conditions has been described. This reaction offers facile access to a diverse range of fused tetralone derivatives with exquisite stereoselectivity in moderate to good yields (40-98%). Experimental studies show that the reaction undergoes a decarboxylation and acetone fragmentation/1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)/cyclization process.

Recent progress in alkynylation with hypervalent iodine reagents

Although alkynes are one of the smallest functional groups, they are among the most versatile building blocks for organic chemistry, with applications ranging from biochemistry to material sciences. Alkynylation reactions have traditionally relied on the use of acetylenes as nucleophiles. The discovery and development of ethynyl hypervalent iodine reagents have allowed to greatly expand the transfer of alkynes as electrophilic synthons. In this feature article the progress in the field since 2018 will be presented. After a short introduction on alkynylation reactions and hypervalent iodine reagents, the developments in the synthesis of alkynyl hypervalent iodine reagents will be discussed. Their recent use in base-mediated and transition-metal catalyzed alkynylations will be described. Progress in radical-based alkynylations and atom-economical transformations will then be presented.

Two-step continuous-flow synthesis of 6-membered cyclic iodonium salts via anodic oxidation

We describe a multi-step continuous-flow procedure for the generation of six-membered diaryliodonium salts. The accompanying scalability and atom economy are significant improvements to existing batch methods. Benzyl acetates are submitted to this two-step procedure as highly available and cheap starting materials. An acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation followed by an anodic oxidative cyclization yielded a defined set of cyclic iodonium salts in a highly substrate-dependent yield.

Design of Photoredox-Catalyzed Giese-Type Reaction for the Synthesis of Chiral Quaternary α-Aryl Amino Acid Derivatives via Clayden Rearrangement

Chiral quaternary α-aryl amino acids are biologically valued but synthetically challenging building blocks. Herein, we report a strategy for the synthesis of molecular architectures by unifying a photoredox catalytic asymmetric Giese-type reaction and Clayden rearrangement. A new class of chiral Karady-Beckwith dehydroalanines is designed and serves as a versatile handle for the photoredox-mediated highly stereoselective Giese-type reaction with feedstock carboxylic acids and tertiary amines. Subsequent Clayden rearrangement delivers chiral quaternary α-aryl amino acid derivatives with high stereoselectivity. The versatile approach offers a reliable source for the assembly of highly demanding chiral building blocks.

Hypervalent Iodine Reagents Enable C-H Alkynylation with Iminophenylacetic Acids via Alkoxyl Radicals

Here we report δ-C-H alkynylation to synthesize various δ-alkynols from iminophenylacetic acids. The hypervalent iodine-coordinated benziodoxole-alkoxyl-iminophenylacetic acid complex was the key intermediate and was characterized by X-ray crystallography for the first time. δ-C-H alkynylation is compatible with sensitive functional groups, including azides, aldehydes, and free alcohols, for the synthesis of δ-alkynols with diversified substituents in excellent regioselectivity. This reaction extends to δ-hydroxylalkene and δ-hydroxylnitrile synthesis, and the δ-alkynol products are easily derivatized to other valuable bifunctional building blocks.

Electrosynthesis of (hetero)aryl nitriles from α-imino-oxy acids via oxidative decarboxylation/N-O cleavage

A new method for the synthesis of (hetero)aryl nitriles via iminyl radicals has been developed through the electrochemical oxidative decarboxylation of α-imino-oxy acids. This protocol provides an efficient approach to nitriles with a broad range of functional-group tolerance under ambient conditions and can be applied for one-pot gram-scale synthesis.

Organic Photoredox Catalysts Exhibiting Long Excited-State Lifetimes

Organic photoredox catalysts with a long excited-state lifetime have emerged as promising alternatives to transition-metal-complex photocatalysts. This paper explains the effectiveness of using long-lifetime photoredox catalysts for organic transformations, focusing on the structures and photophysics that enable long excited-state lifetimes. The electrochemical potentials of the reported organic, long-lifetime photocatalysts are compiled and compared with those of the representative Ir(III)- and Ru(II)-based catalysts. This paper closes by providing recent demonstrations of the synthetic utility of the organic catalysts.

1 Introduction

2 Molecular Structure and Photophysics

3 Photoredox Catalysis Performance

4 Catalysis Mediated by Long-Lifetime Organic Photocatalysts

4.1 Photoredox Catalytic Generation of a Radical Species and its Addition to Alkenes

4.2 Photoredox Catalytic Generation of a Radical Species and its Addition to Arenes

4.3 Photoredox Catalytic Generation of a Radical Species and its Addition to Imines

4.4 Photoredox Catalytic Generation of a Radical Species and its Addition to Substrates Having C≡X Bonds (X=C, N)

4.5 Photoredox Catalytic Generation of a Radical Species and its Bond Formation with Transition Metals

4.6 Miscellaneous Reactions of Radical Species Generated by Photoredox Catalysis

5 Conclusions

Photoinduced radical cascade cyclization of acetylenic acid esters with oxime esters to access cyanalkylated coumarins

A photoinduced radical cascade cyclization of acetylenic acid esters with oxime esters is described, providing cyanalkylated coumarins in superior yields under mild conditions. Radical capture and luminescence quenching experiments showed that this transformation was accomplished via a radical addition/5-exo spirocyclization/1,2-ester migration process.

Deconstructive Insertion of Oximes into Coumarins: Modular Synthesis of Dihydrobenzofuran-Fused Pyridones

In the presence of a copper catalyst, a series of oximes undergo deconstructive insertion into coumarins to afford structurally interesting dihydrobenzofuran-fused pyridones in moderate to good yields with good functional group compatibility. The reaction likely involves a radical relay annulation, leading to the ring opening of the lactone moiety of the coumarins, and simultaneous formation of three new bonds. The investigation of photoluminescent properties reveals that several obtained compounds may have potential as fluorescent materials.

Efficient Aliphatic Hydrogen-Isotope Exchange with Tritium Gas through the Merger of Photoredox and Hydrogenation Catalysts

Employment of a combination of an organophotoredox catalyst with Wilkinson's catalyst (Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl) has given rise to an unprecedented method for hydrogen-isotope exchange (HIE) of aliphatic C(sp³)-H bonds of complex pharmaceuticals using T₂ gas directly. Wilkinson's catalyst, commonly used for catalytic hydrogenations, was exploited as a precatalyst for activation of D₂ or T₂ and hydrogen atom transfer. In this combined methodology and mechanistic study, we demonstrate that by coupling photocatalysis with Rh catalysis, carbon-centered radicals generated via photoredox catalysis can be intercepted by Rh-hydride intermediates to deliver an effective hydrogen atom donor for hydrogen-isotope labeling of complex molecules in one step. By optimizing the ratio of the photocatalyst and Wilkinson's catalyst to balance the rate of the dual catalytic cycles, we can achieve efficient HIE and high recovery yield. This protocol was readily applied to direct HIE of C(sp³)-H bonds in 10 complex drug molecules, showing high isotope incorporation efficiency and exceptionally good functional group tolerance and demonstrating this approach as a practical and attractive labeling method for deuteration and tritiation.

Boron, silicon, nitrogen and sulfur-based contemporary precursors for the generation of alkyl radicals by single electron transfer and their synthetic utilization

Recent developments in the use of boron, silicon, nitrogen and sulfur derivatives in single-electron transfer reactions for the generation of alkyl radicals are described. Photoredox catalyzed, electrochemistry promoted or thermally-induced oxidative and reductive processes are discussed highlighting their synthetic scope and discussing their mechanistic pathways.

Strategies to Generate Nitrogen-centered Radicals That May Rely on Photoredox Catalysis: Development in Reaction Methodology and Applications in Organic Synthesis

For more than 70 years, nitrogen-centered radicals have been recognized as potent synthetic intermediates. This review is a survey designed for use by chemists engaged in target-oriented synthesis. This review summarizes the recent paradigm shift in access to and application of N-centered radicals enabled by visible-light photocatalysis. This shift broadens and streamlines approaches to many small molecules because visible-light photocatalysis conditions are mild. Explicit attention is paid to innovative advances in N-X bonds as radical precursors, where X = Cl, N, S, O, and H. For clarity, key mechanistic data is noted, where available. Synthetic applications and limitations are summarized to illuminate the tremendous utility of photocatalytically generated nitrogen-centered radicals.

Photoinduced inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction

A transition-metal and photocatalyst-free, photoinduced inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction was developed. Under visible-light irradiation, the excited state iodoalkyne acted as an “alkynyl radical synthetic equivalent”.

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.

Direct Photoexcitation of Ethynylbenziodoxolones: An Alternative to Photocatalysis for Alkynylation Reactions*

Ethynylbenziodoxolones (EBXs) are commonly used as radical traps in photocatalytic alkynylations. Herein, we report that aryl-substituted EBX reagents can be directly activated by visible light irradiation. They act as both oxidants and radical traps, alleviating the need for a photocatalyst in several reported EBX-mediated processes, including decarboxylative and deboronative alkynylations, the oxyalkynylation of enamides and the C-H alkynylation of THF. Furthermore, the method could be applied to the synthesis of alkynylated quaternary centers from tertiary alcohols via stable oxalate salts and from tertiary amines via aryl imines. A photocatalytic process using 4CzIPN as an organic dye was also developed for the deoxyalkynylation of oxalates.

Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Coupling of Aliphatic N-hydroxyphthalimide Esters with Polyfluoroaryl Nucleophiles

Polyfluoroarenes are an important class of compounds in medical and material chemistry. The synthesis of alkylated polyfluoroarenes remains challenging. Here we describe a decarboxylative coupling reaction of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids with polyfluoroaryl zinc reagents (Zn-ArF ) via synergetic photoredox and copper catalysis. This method readily converts primary and secondary alkyl carboxylic acids into the corresponding polyfluoroaryl compounds, which could have a wide range of F-content (2F-5F) and variable F-substitution patterns on the aryl groups. Broad scope and good functional group compatibility were achieved, including on substrates derived from natural products and pharmaceuticals. Mechanistic study revealed that a [Cu-(ArF )2 ] species could be responsible for the transfer of polyfluoroaryl groups to the alkyl radicals.

Solvent-Minimized Synthesis of 4CzIPN and Related Organic Fluorophores via Ball Milling

The mechanochemical synthesis of 2,4,5,6-tetra(9H-carbazol-9-yl)isophthalonitrile and related organic fluorophores/photocatalysts via a solvent-minimized four-fold S_NAr pathway is herein described. Employing sodium tert-butoxide as base, and negating the need for any air/moisture-sensitive reaction set-ups, a selection of organic dyes was synthesized in just 1 h using this ball-milling technique. Furthermore, the transformation was then showcased on a multigram scale.

Photocatalytic cross-couplings via the cleavage of N-O bonds

N-(Acyloxy)phthalimide and oxime derivatives containing N-O bonds are important chemicals and synthetic intermediates, and visible light photoredox reductions of the N-O bonds provide carbon- or nitrogen-centered radicals for N-(acyloxy)phthalimide derivatives and iminyl radicals for oxime derivatives. This feature article summarises the recent progress in the visible light photoredox organic reactions, including decarboxylative addition reactions, alkylation, allylation, alkenylation, alkynylation, arylation, heteroarylation and cascade annulation of N-(acyloxy)phthalimide derivatives through the formation of carbon-carbon bonds, decarboxylative borylation, amination, oxygenation, sulfuration, selenylation, fluorination and iodination of N-(acyloxy)phthalimide derivatives through the formation of carbon-heteroatom bonds, and additions to arenes and alkenes, hydrogen atom transfer and the cleavage of α-carbon-carbon bonds via the iminyl radical intermediates for oxime derivatives.

Visible-Light-Mediated Deoxyalkynylation of Activated Tertiary Alcohols

In this paper, visible-light-induced deoxyalkynylation of activated tertiary alcohols has been successfully performed under mild reaction conditions with ethynylbenziodoxole as the readily available alkynylation reagent. The desired C(sp³)-C(sp) coupling can smoothly occur with 4-CzIPN as a photocatalyst, affording a wide range of valuable alkynylation products bearing quaternary carbon centers in 37-84% yields.

Acridinium Salts and Cyanoarenes as Powerful Photocatalysts: Opportunities in Organic Synthesis

The use of organic photocatalysts has revolutionized the field of photoredox catalysis, as it allows access to reactivities that were traditionally restricted to transition-metal photocatalysts. This Minireview reports recent developments in the use of acridinium ions and cyanoarene derivatives in organic synthesis. The activation of inert chemical bonds as well as the late-stage functionalization of biorelevant molecules are discussed, with a special focus on their mechanistic aspects.

Visible-Light-Mediated Z-Stereoselective Monoalkylation of β,β-Dichlorostyrenes by Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis

Metal-catalyzed alkylation of 1,1-dihalovinyl moiety commonly suffers from both a lack of stereoselectivity and the overreaction leading to the dialkylation product. The methodology described herein features a new pathway to alkylate stereoselectively β,β-dichlorostyryl substrates to provide the Z-trisubstituted olefin only with fair to good yields. This cross-coupling reaction bears on the smooth and photoinduced formation of a C-centered radical that engages in a nickel-catalyzed organometallic cycle to form the key Csp2–Csp3 bond.

Synthesis of Quinolines via the Metal-free Visible-Light-Mediated Radical Azidation of Cyclopropenes

We report the synthesis of quinolines using cyclopropenes and an azidobenziodazolone (ABZ) hypervalent iodine reagent as an azide radical source under visible-light irradiation. Multisubstituted quinoline products were obtained in 34-81% yield. The reaction was most efficient for 3-trifluoromethylcyclopropenes, affording valuable 4-trifluoromethylquinolines. The transformation probably proceeds through the cyclization of an iminyl radical formed by the addition of the azide radical on the cyclopropene double bond, followed by ring-opening and fragmentation.

Torsion-Induced Nonradiative Relaxation of the Singlet Excited State of meso-Thienyl Bodipy and Charge Separation, Charge Recombination-Induced Intersystem Crossing in Its Compact Electron Donor/Acceptor Dyads

We prepared a series of meso-thienyl boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy) derivatives to investigate the spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). The photophysical properties of the compounds were studied by steady-state and femtosecond/nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, as well as density functional theory (DFT) computations. Different from the meso-phenyl Bodipy analogues, the meso-thienyl Bodipy are weakly fluorescent. Based on femtosecond transient absorption and DFT computations, we propose that the torsion of the thienyl group and the distortion of the Bodipy core (19.7 ps) in the S₁ state lead to a conical intersection on the potential energy surface as an efficient nonradiative decay channel (408 ps), which is responsible for the observed weak fluorescence as compared to the meso-phenyl analogue. The increased fluorescence quantum yield (from 5.5 to 14.5%) in viscous solvents supports this hypothesis. With the electron donor 4'-hydroxylphenyl moiety attached to the meso-thienyl unit, the fast charge separation (CS, 15.3 ps) and charge recombination (CR, 238 ps) processes outcompete the torsion-induced nonradiative decay and induce fast ISC through the SOCT-ISC mechanism. The triplet quantum yield of the electron donor/acceptor dyad is highly dependent on solvent polarity (Φ_T = 1.9-45%), which supports the SOCT-ISC mechanism, and the triplet-state lifetime is up to 247.3 μs. Using the electron donor-acceptor dyad showing SOCT-ISC as a triplet photosensitizer, efficient triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion was observed with a quantum yield of up to 6.0%.

A Parisian Vision of the Chemistry of Hypercoordinated Silicon Derivatives

Less than ten years of acquaintance with hypercoordinated silicon derivatives in our lab is described in this account. Martin's spirosilane derivatives open new opportunities as ligands and as agents for the activation of small molecules and bis-catecholato silicates have proven to be exquisite radical precursors in photoredox conditions for broad synthetic applications.

Visible-Light-Driven, Photocatalyst-Free Cascade to Access 3-Cyanoalkyl Coumarins from ortho-Hydroxycinnamic Esters

A visible-light-driven, photocatalyst-free route starting from easily accessed ortho-hydroxycinnamic esters and O-perfluoropyridin-4-yl oximes has been successfully developed to rapidly assemble a wide range of 3-cyanoalkyl coumarins. This process does not require addition of external photocatalysts, exhibiting beneficial features including mild reaction conditions, synthetic simplicity, and excellent substrate compatibility. Extensive mechanistic investigations revealed that the in situ generated phenolate anions served as photosensitizers to drive this photoinduced transformation.

Iminyl-Radical-Promoted C-C Bond Cleavage/Heck-Like Coupling via Dual Cobaloxime and Photoredox Catalysis

We report herein an unprecedented protocol for radical-olefin coupling of α-imino-oxy acids and alkenes for the synthesis of alkene-containing nitriles via synergistic photoredox and cobaloxime catalysis. With visible-light irradiation, the transformation provides a variety of corresponding alkene-containing nitriles under mild reaction conditions. The C-C bond cleavage/Heck-like coupling reaction could generate E-selective coupling products with excellent chemo- and stereo-selectivity. This iminyl-radical-mediated reaction is external-oxidant-free, exhibits wide functional-group compatibility, and occurs with the extrusion of acetone, H₂, and CO₂.

Cyanation: a photochemical approach and applications in organic synthesis

This review summarises the photocatalytic cyanation strategies to construct C(sp²)–CN, C(sp³)–CN and X–CN (X = N, S) bonds.

Organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) compounds used in photocatalysis

Organic compounds that show Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) have become wildly popular as next-generation emitters in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Since 2016, a subset of these have found increasing use as photocatalysts. This review comprehensively highlights their potential by documenting the diversity of the reactions where an organic TADF photocatalyst can be used in lieu of a noble metal complex photocatalyst. Beyond the small number of TADF photocatalysts that have been used to date, the analysis conducted within this review reveals the wider potential of organic donor-acceptor TADF compounds as photocatalysts. A discussion of the benefits of compounds showing TADF for photocatalysis is presented, which paints a picture of a very promising future for organic photocatalyst development.

Organocatalytic Three-Component 1,2-Cyanoalkylacylation of Alkenes via Radical Relay

Here, we report an unprecedented regioselective, intermolecular 1,2-cyanoalkylacylation of feedstock alkenes with readily available oxime esters and aldehydes by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis. The crux of this success is the exquisite control over the radical relay process by an NHC organocatalyst. This protocol offers a general platform for diversity-oriented synthesis of valuable ketonitriles under mild, transition-metal-free, and redox-neutral conditions and highlights its potential in the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceutical architectures and natural products.

Visible-Light Photoredox-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Carboxylation of Cyclic Oxime Esters with CO2

The carboxylation of cyclic oxime esters with carbon dioxide via visible-light photoredox catalysis is demonstrated for the first time. A variety of cyclic oxime esters undergo ring-opening C-C bond cleavage and carboxylation to give cyanoalkyl-containing carboxylic acids in moderate to good yields. Moreover, this methodology features mild reaction conditions (room temperature, 1 atm), wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance as well as facile derivations of products. Mechanistic studies indicate that the benzylic radicals and anions might be the key intermediates.