Metal-free photoredox-catalyzed direct α-oxygenation of N,N-dibenzylanilines to imides under visible light

Selective α-oxidation of amides via visible-light-driven iron catalysis

Hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) as one of the highly reactive species can react unselectively with a wide range of chemicals. The ˙OH radicals are typically generated under harsh conditions. Herein, we report hydroxyl radical-induced selective N-α C(sp3)-H bond oxidation of amides under greener and mild conditions via an Fe(NO3)3·9H2O catalyst inner sphere pathway upon irradiation with a 30 W blue LED light strip (λ = 455 nm) using NaBrO3 as the oxidant. This protocol exhibited high chemoselectivity and excellent functional group tolerance. A preliminary mechanism investigation demonstrated that the iron catalyst afforded hydroxyl radicals via the visible-light-induced homolysis (VLIH) of iron complexes followed by a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process to realize this transformation.

A facile synthesis of phthalimides from o-phthalaldehyde and amines via tandem cyclocondensation and α-C-H oxidation by an electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction

Electrochemical synthesis of phthalimides from o-phthalaldehyde and amines via tandem cyclocondensation and α-C-H oxygenation of isoindolinone was achieved. The α-C-H oxidation proceeded with molecular oxygen via an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode under electrochemical conditions. The synthetic utility of this protocol was successfully demonstrated by employing gram-scale synthesis and obtaining bioactive molecules such as thalidomide and 2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-5-hydroxyisoindoline-1,3-dione. Mechanistic studies and control experiments indicate that molecular oxygen provides oxygen atoms for the reaction.

Visible-Light Promoted Regioselective Oxygenation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones Using O2 as an Oxidant

A visible-light-mediated sustainable approach for metal-free oxygenation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one by employing Mes-Acr-MeClO₄ as a photocatalyst without using any additive or cocatalyst is reported here. O₂ served as the eco-friendly and green oxidant source for this conversion. In addition, the protocol exhibited high regioselectivity and tolerance toward a broad spectrum of functional groups to furnish quinoxaline-2,3-diones in good to excellent yields.

Visible-light-promoted decarboxylative radical cascade cyclization to acylated benzimidazo/indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones in water

A metal-free visible-light-induced decarboxylative radical addition/cyclization procedure at room temperature was described for the synthesis of acylated benzimidazo/indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. The procedure was prepared in water via a reaction of functionalized 2-arylbenzoimidazoles or 2,3-diarylindoles and α-oxocarboxylic acids in the presence of phenyliodine(iii) diacetate (PIDA) in one step under mild reaction conditions. In this procedure, traditional heating and metal reagents could be effectively avoided to access 1,4-dicarbonyl-containing benzimidazo/indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones in satisfactory yields.

Green and Sustainable Visible Light-Mediated Formation of Amide Bonds: An Emerging Niche in Organic Chemistry

Amide bond is one of the most fascinating functional groups in nature due to its stability, conformational diversity, high bond polarity, and abundance in numerous natural products and drug candidates,...