Synthesis of quaternary centres by single electron reduction and alkylation of alkylsulfones

General Alkene 1,2-syn-Cyano-Hydroxylation Procedure Via Electrochemical Activation of Isoxazoline Cycloadducts

Stereoselective alkene 1,2-difunctionalization is a privileged strategy to access three-dimensional C(sp3)-rich chiral molecules from readily available "flat" carbon feedstocks. State-of-the-art approaches exploit chiral transition metal-catalysts to enable high levels of regio- and stereocontrol. However, this is often achieved at the expense of a limited alkene scope and reduced generality. 1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions are routinely used to form heterocycles from alkenes with high levels of regioselectivity and stereospecificity. Nevertheless, methods for the ring-opening of cycloadducts to reveal synthetically useful functionalities require the use of hazardous reagents or forcing reaction conditions; thus limiting their synthetic applications. Herein, we describe the implementation of a practical, general and selective electrosynthetic strategy for olefin 1,2-syn-difunctionalization, which hinges on the design of novel reagents-consisting of a nitrile oxide 1,3-dipole precursor, equipped with a sulfonyl-handle. These can selectively difunctionalize alkenes via "click" 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, and then facilitate the telescoped electrochemical single electron transfer activation of the ensuing isoxazoline intermediate. Cathodic reduction of the cycloadduct triggers a radical fragmentation pathway delivering sought-after stereodefined 1,2-syn-hydroxy nitrile derivatives. Our telescoped electrochemical procedure tolerates a wide range of functionalities, and─crucially─enables the difunctionalization of both electron-rich, electron-poor and unactivated olefins, with diverse degree of substitution; thus providing a robust, general and selective metal-free alternative to current alkene difunctionalization strategies. Capitalizing on these features, we employed our electrosynthetic method to enable the late-stage syn-hydroxy-cyanation of natural products and bioactive compounds, and streamline the de novo synthesis of pharmaceutical agents.

Light-Induced, Cs2CO3 Promoted C-S Cleavage of Heteroaryl Sulfones for Benzyl Heteroarylation of [1.1.1]Propellane

In this study, we developed a light-induced difunctionalization of [1.1.1]propellane with heteroaryl sulfones acting as difunctional reagents, allowing the introduction of alkyl and heteroaryl units across bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane frameworks. It features a broad substrate scope and can be used to functionalize structurally complex natural products. Mechanistic investigations indicate the Cs2CO3 promoted homolytic cleavage of heteroaryl sulfone C-S bonds by light. Moreover, the benzothiazolyl moiety in the products can serve as a formyl precursor, indicating the robust transformability of the products, owing to the ability of aldehydes to undergo a wide variety of organic transformations.

C(sp3)-H (N-Phenyltetrazole)thiolation as an Enabling Tool for Molecular Diversification

Methods enabling the broad diversification of C(sp3)-H bonds from a common intermediate are especially valuable in chemical synthesis. Herein, we report a site-selective (N-phenyltetrazole)thiolation of aliphatic and (hetero)benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds using a commercially available disulfide to access N-phenyltetrazole thioethers. The thioether products are readily elaborated in diverse fragment couplings for C-C, C-O, or C-N construction. The C-H functionalization proceeds via a radical-chain pathway involving hydrogen atom transfer by the electron-poor N-phenyltetrazolethiyl radical. Hexafluoroisopropanol was found to be essential to reactions involving aliphatic C(sp3)-H thiolation, with computational analysis consistent with dual hydrogen bonding of the N-phenyltetrazolethiyl radical imparting increased radical electrophilicity to facilitate the hydrogen atom transfer. Substrate is limiting reagent in all cases, and the reaction displays an exceptional functional group tolerance well suited to applications in late-stage diversification.

Visible-light-induced direct C-H alkylation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with alkylsulfones

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are fragments of graphene that have attracted considerable attention as a new class of carbon-based materials. The functionalization of edge positions in PAHs is important to enable the modulation of physical and chemical properties essential for various applications. However, straightforward methods that combine functional group tolerance and regioselectivity remain sought after. Here we report a photochemical approach for the direct alkylation of carbon-hydrogen bonds in PAHs that takes place in a regiospecific manner, an outcome that has never been achieved in related thermal reactions. A reaction mechanism involving a single electron transfer process from photo-excited PAHs to sulfones, and a rationale for the origin of regioselectivity are proposed on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and theoretical calculations.

Catalytic tert-alkylation of enamides via C-C bond cleavage under photoredox conditions

Efficient C-C bond cleavage is recognized as a persistent challenge in the field of synthetic methodology. In this study, we found that tertiary alkyl radicals are smoothly formed from tertiary alkylated dienones (BHT adducts) via SET, using PDI as a photocatalyst. Resulting tert-alkyl radicals could be applied to the tert-alkylation of enamides. The driving force of this C-C bond cleavage reaction is the mesolytic cleavage of the BHT adducts. The mechanistic study revealed that PDI anion radical is the key active species during the catalytic cycle.

Zn-Mediated Fragmentation of N-Alkoxyphthalimides Enabling the Synthesis of gem-Difluoroalkenes

Zn-mediated generation of alkoxyl radicals from N-alkoxyphthalimides emerged as an efficient approach for forming diverse and valuable alkyl radicals through β-scission or a hydrogen atom transfer process. The alkyl radical species can be further trapped by α-trifluoromethyl alkenes to construct a series of gem-difluoroalkenes.

Multicomponent Synthesis of α-Branched Amines via a Zinc-Mediated Carbonyl Alkylative Amination Reaction

Methods for the synthesis of α-branched alkylamines are important due to their ubiquity in biologically active molecules. Despite the development of many methods for amine preparation, C(sp3)-rich nitrogen-containing compounds continue to pose challenges for synthesis. While carbonyl reductive amination (CRA) between ketones and alkylamines is the cornerstone method for α-branched alkylamine synthesis, it is sometimes limited by the sterically demanding condensation step between dialkyl ketones and amines and the more restricted availability of ketones compared to aldehydes. We recently reported a "higher-order" variant of this transformation, carbonyl alkylative amination (CAA), which utilized a halogen atom transfer (XAT)-mediated radical mechanism, enabling the streamlined synthesis of complex α-branched alkylamines. Despite the efficacy of this visible-light-driven approach, it displayed scalability issues, and competitive reductive amination was a problem for certain substrate classes, limiting applicability. Here, we report a change in the reaction regime that expands the CAA platform through the realization of an extremely broad zinc-mediated CAA reaction. This new strategy enabled elimination of competitive CRA, simplified purification, and improved reaction scope. Furthermore, this new reaction harnessed carboxylic acid derivatives as alkyl donors and facilitated the synthesis of α-trialkyl tertiary amines, which cannot be accessed via CRA. This Zn-mediated CAA reaction can be carried out at a variety of scales, from a 10 μmol setup in microtiter plates enabling high-throughput experimentation, to the gram-scale synthesis of medicinally-relevant compounds. We believe that this transformation enables robust, efficient, and economical access to α-branched alkylamines and provides a viable alternative to the current benchmark methods.

Difluoromethylated Difunctionalization of Alkenes under Visible Light

Difluoromethylated compounds usually act as bioisosteres for alcohol functional groups and show unique physicochemical and biological properties. The cyano-difluoromethylation of alkenes using 5-((difluoromethyl)sulfonyl)-1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole as a CF2H radical difluoromethyl precursor was developed to afford nitriles including a CF2H group. A low-cost, stable, easily handled 5-((difluoromethyl)sulfonyl)-1-methyl-1H-tetrazole (DFSMT) was synthesized and applied as the radical CF2H reagent. Using DFSMT as the radical CF2H precursor, the oxyl-difluoromethylation of alkenes was developed to obtain difluoromethylated ether products. All of the reactions showed good functional group tolerability. Initial mechanistic experiments indicated that the CF2H radical was involved as the key active intermediate.

C(sp3)-C(sp3) Radical-Cross-Coupling Reaction via Photoexcitation

The photoexcitation of 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (alkyl-DHPs) in the presence of a base triggers the single-electron-transfer-mediated desulfonative radical-cross-coupling (RCC) reaction without the need for any metal or photocatalyst. 4-Alkyl-substituted 1,4-DHPs as the electron donor (reductant) and alkyl sulfones as the electron acceptor (oxidant) are chosen strategically as the two best-matched modular radical precursors for the construction of C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds. Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (365 nm) have proven to be adequate for inducing single-electron transfer between two radical precursors in the excited state. Following this designed strategy, a diverse collection of primary, secondary, and tertiary persistent alkyl radicals from both radical precursors have been used to forge C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds. This blueprint features good functional group compatibility, a broad scope, and detailed mechanistic investigation.

Electroreductive Desulfurative Transformations with Thioethers as Alkyl Radical Precursors

Thioethers are highly prevalent functional groups in organic compounds of natural and synthetic origin but remain remarkably underexplored as starting materials in desulfurative transformations. As such, new synthetic methods are highly desirable to unlock the potential of the compound class. In this vein, electrochemistry is an ideal tool to enable new reactivity and selectivity under mild conditions. Herein, we demonstrate the efficient use of aryl alkyl thioethers as alkyl radical precursors in electroreductive transformations, along with mechanistic details. The transformations proceed with complete selectivity for C(sp3 )-S bond cleavage, orthogonal to that of established transition metal-catalyzed two-electron routes. We showcase a hydrodesulfurization protocol with broad functional group tolerance, the first example of desulfurative C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) bond formation in Giese-type cross-coupling and the first protocol for electrocarboxylation of synthetic relevance with thioethers as starting materials. Finally, the compound class is shown to outcompete their well-established sulfone analogues as alkyl radical precursors, demonstrating their synthetic potential for future desulfurative transformations in a one-electron manifold.

Alkyl Radical Generation via C–C Bond Cleavage in 2-Substituted Oxazolidines

There is an urgent need to develop uncharged radical precursors to be activated under mild photocatalyzed conditions. 2-Substituted-1,3-oxazolidines (E_ox < 1.3 V vs SCE, smoothly prepared from the corresponding aldehydes) have been herein employed for the successful release of tertiary, α-oxy, and α-amido radicals under photo-organo redox catalysis. The reaction relies on the unprecedented C–C cleavage occurring from the radical cation of these heterocyclic derivatives. Such a protocol is applied to the visible-light-driven conjugate radical addition onto Michael acceptors and vinyl (hetero)arenes under mild metal-free conditions.

Redox-active alkylsulfones as precursors for alkyl radicals under photoredox catalysis

Visible-light photoredox catalytic method for the generation of alkyl radicals using redox-active alkylsulfones to form a new C–C bond is reported.

Expeditious and Efficient ortho-Selective Trifluoromethane-sulfonylation of Arylhydroxylamines

A metal- and oxidant-free, practical and efficient method for the synthesis of highly versatile and synthetically useful ortho-trifluoromethanesulfonylated anilines from arylhydroxylamines and trifluoromethanesulfinic chloride was developed. This rapid transformation proceeded smoothly with good yields and excellent ortho-selectivity in the absence of any metals or ligands. Mechanistically, the reaction comprised a noncanonical O-trifluoromethanesulfinylation of the arylhydroxylamine, and the subsequent [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to afford ortho-trifluoromethanesulfonylated aniline derivatives. The practical application of this reaction was demonstrated by further conversion into a series of functional molecules under different reaction conditions.

Desulfonylation via Radical Process: Recent Developments in Organic Synthesis

As the "chemical chameleon", sulfonyl-containing compounds and their variants have been merged with various types of reactions for the efficient construction of diverse molecular architectures by taking advantage of their incredible reactive flexibility. Currently, their involvement in radical transformations, in which the sulfonyl group typically acts as a leaving group via selective C-S, N-S, O-S, S-S, and Se-S bond cleavage/functionalization, has facilitated new bond formation strategies which are complementary to classical two-electron cross-couplings via organometallic or ionic intermediates. Considering the great influence and synthetic potential of these novel avenues, we summarize recent advances in this rapidly expanding area by discussing the reaction designs, substrate scopes, mechanistic studies, and their limitations, outlining the state-of-the-art processes involved in radical-mediated desulfonylation and related transformations. With a specific emphasis on their synthetic applications, we believe this review will be useful for medicinal and synthetic organic chemists who are interested in radical chemistry and radical-mediated desulfonylation in particular.

A heavy-metal-free desulfonylative Giese-type reaction of benzothiazole sulfones under visible-light conditions

A visible-light-induced desulfonylative Giese-type reaction has been developed. Essential to the success is the employment of Hantzsch ester to activate benzothiazole sulfones without any heavy-metal additives. Not only benzylic benzothiazole sulfones but also alkyl ones were viable substrates and reacted with electron-deficient alkenes and a propiol amide.

Photocatalytic decarboxylative amidosulfonation enables direct transformation of carboxylic acids to sulfonamides

Sulfonamides feature prominently in organic synthesis, materials science and medicinal chemistry, where they play important roles as bioisosteric replacements of carboxylic acids and other carbonyls. Yet, a general synthetic platform for the direct conversion of carboxylic acids to a range of functionalized sulfonamides has remained elusive. Herein, we present a visible light-induced, dual catalytic platform that for the first time allows for a one-step access to sulfonamides and sulfonyl azides directly from carboxylic acids. The broad scope of the direct decarboxylative amidosulfonation (DDAS) platform is enabled by the efficient direct conversion of carboxylic acids to sulfinic acids that is catalyzed by acridine photocatalysts and interfaced with copper-catalyzed sulfur-nitrogen bond-forming cross-couplings with both electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents.