Photocatalytic aerobic α-thiolation/annulation of carbonyls with mercaptobenzimidazoles

Aminoselenation and Dehydroaromatization of Cyclohexanones with Anilines and Diselenides

A three-component cascade reaction involving cyclohexanones, anilines, and diaryl diselenides under metal-free conditions is reported. The ortho-selenation of cyclohexanones with diaryl diselenides, followed by sequential dehydroaromatization with anilines, enables the preparation of a variety of o-selanyl anilines in moderate to excellent yields. This innovative transformation is notable for its excellent tolerance of functional groups and is suitable for the late-stage modification of complex pharmaceuticals.

Photochemical and Electrochemical Applications of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Organic Synthesis

We present here a review of the photochemical and electrochemical applications of multi-site proton-coupled electron transfer (MS-PCET) in organic synthesis. MS-PCETs are redox mechanisms in which both an electron and a proton are exchanged together, often in a concerted elementary step. As such, MS-PCET can function as a non-classical mechanism for homolytic bond activation, providing opportunities to generate synthetically useful free radical intermediates directly from a wide variety of common organic functional groups. We present an introduction to MS-PCET and a practitioner's guide to reaction design, with an emphasis on the unique energetic and selectivity features that are characteristic of this reaction class. We then present chapters on oxidative N-H, O-H, S-H, and C-H bond homolysis methods, for the generation of the corresponding neutral radical species. Then, chapters for reductive PCET activations involving carbonyl, imine, other X═Y π-systems, and heteroarenes, where neutral ketyl, α-amino, and heteroarene-derived radicals can be generated. Finally, we present chapters on the applications of MS-PCET in asymmetric catalysis and in materials and device applications. Within each chapter, we subdivide by the functional group undergoing homolysis, and thereafter by the type of transformation being promoted. Methods published prior to the end of December 2020 are presented.

A visible-light-induced thiol addition/aerobic oxidation cascade reaction of epoxides and thiols for the synthesis of β-hydroxylsulfoxides

A photochemical thiol addition/aerobic oxidation cascade reaction has been developed. This protocol enables efficient oxidative coupling of epoxides and thiols to access structurally valuable β-hydroxylsulfoxides. A broad range of functional groups are compatible to obtain moderate to good yields of the target products. Mechanistic studies revealed a sequential reaction pathway involving base-promoted thiol addition of thiols to epoxides and visible-light-induced aerobic oxygenation of thioethers.

Oxidative cross-coupling of thiols for S-X (X = S, N, O, P, and C) bond formation: mechanistic aspects

This review focuses on the reactive intermediates (disulfides, sulfenyl halides, thiyl radicals, sulfenium cations, and metal-organosulfur species) and the mechanisms of the recently reported oxidative couplings of thiols. These intermediates are generated by chemical oxidants, transition metal catalysts, electrochemistry, and photochemistry. Chemical oxidant-mediated reactions involve radical, halogenated, or cationic intermediates, or disulfides. Transition metal-catalyzed mechanisms proposed various metal-organosulfur intermediates to elucidate the reactivity and selectivity of metal catalysts. In electro- and photooxidation, direct oxidation/reduction mechanisms of reactants at the electrode or indirect oxidation/reduction of reactants in the presence of redox catalysts have been reported. The following sections are based on the products, thiosulfonates (S-S bond), sulfenamides, sulfinamides, and sulfonamides (S-N bond), sulfinates (S-O bond), thiophosphine oxides and thiophosphates (S-P bond), and sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones (S-C bond) and discuss the reaction mechanisms and the above-mentioned key intermediates for product formation. The contents of this review will provide helpful information, guiding the choice of oxidative coupling conditions for the synthesis of various organosulfur compounds with high yields and selectivity.

Visible-Light-Triggered Quantitative Oxidation of 9,10-Dihydroanthracene to Anthraquinone by O2 under Mild Conditions

The development of mild and efficient processes for the selective oxygenation of organic compounds by molecular oxygen (O₂ ) is key for the synthesis of oxygenates. This paper discloses an atom-efficient synthesis protocol for the photo-oxygenation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene (DHA) by O₂ to anthraquinone (AQ), which could achieve quantitative AQ yield (100 %) without any extra catalysts or additives under ambient temperature and pressure. A yield of 86.4 % AQ was obtained even in an air atmosphere. Furthermore, this protocol showed good compatibility for the photo-oxidation of several other compounds with similar structures to DHA. From a series of control experiments, free-radical quenching, and electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping results, the photo-oxygenation of DHA was probably initiated by its photoexcited state DHA*, and the latter could activate O₂ to a superoxide anion radical (O₂ ^.- ) through the transfer of its electron. Subsequently, this photo-oxidation was gradually dominated by the oxygenated product AQ as an active photocatalyst obtained from the oxidation of DHA by O₂ ^.- , and was accelerated with the rapid accumulation of AQ. The present photo-oxidation protocol is a good example of selective oxygenation based on the photoexcited substrate self-activated O₂ , which complies well with green chemistry ideals.

Aerobic C(sp3)–H oxidation and oxygenation of quaternarized quinolines and pyridines by visible-light-induced photocatalysis

One stone two birds: two kinds of oxygenation products (>60 new products) including carboxylate inner salts and alcohols have been accessed under mild aerobic photocatalysis.