Visible-light-induced, Ir-catalyzed reactions of N-methyl-N-((trimethylsilyl)methyl)aniline with cyclic α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Switchable, Reagent-Controlled Diastereodivergent Photocatalytic Carbocyclisation of Imine-Derived α-Amino Radicals

A reagent‐controlled stereodivergent carbocyclisation of aryl aldimine‐derived, photocatalytically generated, α‐amino radicals possessing adjacent conjugated alkenes, affording either bicyclic or tetracyclic products, is described. Under net reductive conditions using commercial Hantzsch ester, the α‐amino radical species underwent a single stereoselective cyclisation to give trans‐configured amino‐indane structures in good yield, whereas using a substituted Hantzsch ester as a milder reductant afforded cis‐fused tetracyclic tetrahydroquinoline frameworks, resulting from two consecutive radical cyclisations. Judicious choice of the reaction conditions allowed libraries of both single and dual cyclisation products to be synthesised with high selectivity, notable predictability, and good‐to‐excellent yields. Computational analysis employing DFT revealed the reaction pathway and mechanistic rationale behind this finely balanced yet readily controlled photocatalytic system.

Visible-Light-Induced Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinolines through Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of Acyclic α,β-Unsaturated Amides and Imides with N,N-Dialkylanilines

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinolines should be applicable to the development of new pharmaceutical agents. A facile synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines that is achieved by a photoinduced formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of acyclic α,β-unsaturated amides and imides with N,N-dialkylanilines under visible-light irradiation, in which a new Ir^III complex photosensitizer, a thiourea, and an oxidant act cooperatively in promoting the reaction, is reported. The photoreaction enables the synthesis of a wide variety of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, while controlling the trans/cis diastereoselectivity (>99:1) and constructing contiguous stereogenic centers. A chemoselective cleavage of an acyclic imide auxiliary is demonstrated.

Exploiting single-electron transfer in Lewis pairs for catalytic bond-forming reactions

A single-electron transfer (SET) between tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (B(C₆F₅)₃) and N,N-dialkylanilines is reported, which is operative via the formation of an electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex involving π-orbital interactions as a key intermediate under dark conditions or visible-light irradiation depending on the structure of the aniline derivatives. This inherent SET in the Lewis pairs initiates the generation of the corresponding α-aminoalkyl radicals and their additions to electron-deficient olefins, revealing the ability of B(C₆F₅)₃ to act as an effective one-electron redox catalyst.

Radical–ion pair generation from common Lewis pairs and its application to catalytic carbon–carbon bond formation.

Photoredox-catalyzed procedure for carbamoyl radical generation: 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-one and quinolin-2-one synthesis

A reductive approach for carbamoyl radical generation from N-hydroxyphthalimido oxamides under photoredox catalysis is outlined. This strategy was applied to the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones via the intermolecular addition/cyclization of carbamoyl radicals with electron deficient olefins in a mild, redox-neutral manner. Under a general set of reaction conditions, diversely substituted 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones, including spirocyclic systems can be prepared. By using chlorine-substituted olefins, aromatic quinolin-2-ones can also be accessed.

Synthetic Utilization of α-Aminoalkyl Radicals and Related Species in Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis

Single electron oxidation of amines provides an efficient way to access synthetically useful α-aminoalkyl radicals as reactive intermediates. After the single electron oxidation of amines, fragmentation of the resulting radical cations proceeds to give the α-aminoalkyl radicals along with generation of a proton. In the synthetic utilization of the α-aminoalkyl radicals, precise control of single electron transfer is essential, because further oxidation of the α-aminoalkyl radicals occurs more easily than the starting amines and the α-aminoalkyl radicals are converted into the corresponding iminium ions. As a result, photoinduced single electron transfer is quite attractive in the synthetic utilization of the α-aminoalkyl radicals. Recently, visible light-photoredox catalysis using transition metal-polypyridyl complexes and other dyes as catalysts has attracted considerable attention, where useful molecular transformations can be achieved through the single electron transfer process between the excited catalysts and substrates. In this context, MacMillan et al. ( Science 2011, 334 , 1114 , DOI: 10.1126/science.1213920 ) reported an aromatic substitution reaction of cyanoarenes with amines, where α-aminoalkyl radicals work as key reactive intermediates. Pandey and Reiser et al. ( Org. Lett. 2012 , 14 , 672 , DOI: 10.1021/ol202857t ) and our group ( Nishibayashi et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012 , 134 , 3338 , DOI: 10.1021/ja211770y ) independently reported reactions of amines with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, where addition of α-aminoalkyl radicals to alkenes is a key step. After these earliest examples, nowadays, a variety of transformations using the α-aminoalkyl radicals as reactive intermediates have been reported by many groups. The α-aminoalkyl radicals are usually produced from amines by single electron oxidation and the subsequent deprotonation of the C-H bond adjacent to the nitrogen atom. In addition, the α-aminoalkyl radicals are also produced from α-silylamines and α-amino acids in high efficiency through desilylation or decarboxylation after the single electron oxidation. The generated α-aminoalkyl radicals are utilized in a variety of reaction systems. In fact, reactions based on the addition of α-aminoalkyl radicals to alkenes and other unsaturated bonds have been extensively studied. Aromatic and other types of substitution reactions have also been investigated. Some of these transformations are achieved by combination of photoredox catalysts and other catalysts such as Brønsted and Lewis acids, organocatalysts, and transition metal catalysts. It is also noteworthy that the enantioselective reactions have been accomplished by combination of photoredox catalysts and chiral catalysts. The strategy for the generation of α-aminoalkyl radicals can be applied to utilize other types of alkyl radicals. In the generation of α-aminoalkyl radicals, the bond dissociation of the radical cations occurs at the α-position of amines. In relation to this process, synthetic utilization of other types of alkyl radicals generated by the bond dissociation of the radical cations at a remote position has been also investigated. These alkyl radicals have been applied to molecular transformations in a manner similar to the α-aminoalkyl radicals. Recently, organic synthesis using the α-aminoalkyl radicals and related alkyl radicals has been studied extensively. In this Account, we describe recent advances in photoredox-catalyzed synthetic utilization of these alkyl radicals.

Enantioselective Visible-Light-Induced Radical-Addition Reactions to 3-Alkylidene Indolin-2-ones

The title compounds underwent a facile and high-yielding addition reaction (19 examples, 66-99% yield) with various N-(trimethylsilyl)methyl-substituted amines upon irradiation with visible light and catalysis by a metal complex. If the alkylidene substituent is non-symmetric and if the reaction is performed in the presence of a chiral hydrogen-bonding template, products are obtained with significant enantioselectivity (58-72% ee) as a mixture of diastereoisomers. Mechanistic studies suggest a closed catalytic cycle for the photoactive metal complex. However, the silyl transfer from the amine occurs not only to the product, but also to the substrate, and interferes with the desired chirality transfer.

Recent synthetic additions to the visible light photoredox catalysis toolbox

The boom in visible light photoredox catalysis (VLPC) research has demonstrated that this novel synthetic approach is here to stay. VLPC enables reactive radical intermediates to be catalytically generated at ambient temperature, a feat not generally allowed through traditional pyrolysis- or radical initiator-based methodologies. VLPC has vastly extended the range of substrates and reaction schemes that have been traditionally the domain of radical reactions. In this review the photophysics background of VLPC will be briefly discussed, followed by a report on recent inroads of VLPC into decarboxylative couplings and radical C-H functionalization of aromatic compounds. The bulk of the review will be dedicated to advances in synergistic catalysis involving VLPC, namely the combination of photoredox catalysis with organocatalysis, including β-functionalization of carbonyl groups, functionalization of weak aliphatic C-H bonds, and anti-Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization of alkenes; dual catalysis with gold or with nickel, photoredox catalysis as an oxidation promoter in transition metal catalysis, and acid-catalyzed enantioselective radical addition to π systems.

Visible-light photoredox catalysis: direct synthesis of fused β-carbolines through an oxidation/[3 + 2] cycloaddition/oxidative aromatization reaction cascade in batch and flow microreactors

Fused β-carbolines were synthesized via a visible light photoredox catalyzed oxidation/[3 + 2] cycloaddition/oxidative aromatization reaction cascade in batch and flow microreactors.

Synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles via α-aminoalkyl radicals generated from α-silyl secondary amines under visible light irradiation

We have succeeded in the visible light-mediated synthetic use of α-aminoalkyl radicals derived from α-silyl secondary amines toward addition to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The resulting γ-aminocarbonyl compounds are converted into γ-lactams and pyrroles in a one-pot process.