Visible‐Light Promoted Distereodivergent Intramolecular Oxyamidation of Alkenes

The visible‐light‐promoted diastereodivergent intramolecular oxyamination of alkenes is described to construct oxazolindinones, pyrrolidinones and imidazolidones via mild generation of primary amidyl radicals from functionalized hydroxylamines. A unique phenomenon of highly diastereoselective ring‐opening of aziridines controlled by electron sacrifices was observed. Highly diastereoselective amino alcohols derivatives were obtained efficiently through this protocol in gram scales. The mechanistic studies suggested the isolatable anti‐aziridine intermediates were generated quickly from primary amidyl radicals and the diastereoselectivities were controlled by pK_a values of the electron sacrifices.     

Electrochemically Enabled Intramolecular Aminooxygenation of Alkynes via Amidyl Radical Cyclization

An electrochemical synthesis of oxazol‐2‐ones and imidazol‐2‐ones has been developed via 5‐exo‐dig cyclization of propargylic carbamates‐ and ureas‐derived amidyl radicals. The electrosynthesis relies on the dual function of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐ 1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO) as a redox mediator for amidyl radical formation and an oxygen atom donor. The reactions are conducted under mild conditions using a simple setup and provide convenient access to functionalized oxazol‐2‐ones and imidazol‐2‐ones from readily available materials.     

Development of highly regioselective amidyl radical cyclization based on lone pair-lone pair repulsion

The substituent effect on the reactivity and regioselectivity of N-(4-pentenyl)amidyl radical cyclization was investigated. Exclusive 6- endo cyclization was observed for N-(4-pentenyl)amidyl radicals with internal vinylic heteroatom substitution (Cl, Br, I, OMe, SEt). The substituent on the carbonyl group also showed a significant influence on the reactivity of amidyl radicals, which increases in the order of Ph < Me < OEt. As a result, the photostimulated reactions of N-(4-halopent-4-enyl)amides and carbamates (X = Cl, Br, I) with DIB/I 2 or Pb(OAc) 4/I 2 led to the efficient and exclusive formation of the corresponding piperidines while those of N-(5-halopent-4-enyl)amides afforded the pyrrolidine products only. The halogen-substitution effect also allowed the 6- exo and 7- endo amidyl radical cyclization to proceed in a highly regioselective manner. The above experimental results, in combination with theoretical analyses, revealed that the lone pair-lone pair repulsion between the nitrogen radical and the vinylic heteroatom played an important role in controlling the regioselectivity of cyclization.     

Photoinduced Remote Functionalization of Amides and Amines Using Electrophilic Nitrogen Radicals

The selective functionalization of C(sp³)?H bonds at distal positions to functional groups is a challenging task in synthetic chemistry. Reported here is a photoinduced radical cascade strategy for the divergent functionalization of amides and protected amines. The process is based on the oxidative generation of electrophilic amidyl radicals and their subsequent transposition by 1,5‐H‐atom transfer, resulting in remote fluorination, chlorination and, for the first time, thioetherification, cyanation, and alkynylation. The process is tolerant of most common functional groups and delivers useful building blocks that can be further elaborated. The utility of this strategy is demonstrated through the late‐stage functionalization of amino acids and a dipeptide.     

EPR study of nitroxides formed from the reaction of nitric oxide with photolyzed amides

Free radicals generated from UV irradiation of simple aliphatic amides in anaerobic and nitric oxide (NO)‐saturated liquid mixtures or solutions gave EPR spectra of nitroxides. The application of isotopic effects to EPR spectra and the generation of radicals by transient radical attack on substrate molecules or by photolysing amine or acetoin were used to help identify photochemically produced radicals from the amides. The aliphatic amides used were formamide, acetamide and their N‐methyl‐ or deuterium‐substituted derivatives. Transient radicals used to attack the amides via hydrogen‐atom abstraction were generated from the initiator AIBN or AAPH. The observation of various nitroxides indicates the reactivity of NO for trapping acyl, carbamoyl and other carbon‐centered radicals. Possibly mechanistic pathways diagnosed with this trap are proposed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Indanes and Dibenzocycloheptadienes through Complex Radical Cascade Reactions

Two highly stereoselective radical‐mediated syntheses of densely functionalized indanes and dibenzocycloheptadienes from ortho‐vinyl‐ and ortho‐vinylaryl‐substituted N‐(arylsulfonyl)‐acrylamides, respectively, are presented here. The chemoselective addition of in situ generated radicals (X^.) onto the styrene moieties triggers an unprecedented reaction cascade, resulting in the formation of one new C? X bond and two new C? C bonds, a formal 1,4‐aryl migration, and the extrusion of SO₂ to generate an amidyl radical intermediate. This intermediate, upon H abstraction, leads to the observed 5‐ and 7‐membered ring carbocyclic products, respectively, in a highly efficient manner.     

Generation and Reactivity of Amidyl Radicals: Manganese‐Mediated Atom‐Transfer Reaction

A simple and efficient protocol to generate amidyl radicals from amine functionalities through a manganese‐mediated atom‐transfer reaction has been developed. This approach employs an earth‐abundant and inexpensive manganese complex, Mn₂(CO)₁₀, as the catalyst and visible light as the energy input. Using this strategy, site‐selective chlorination of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds of aliphatic amines and intramolecular/intermolecular chloroaminations of unactivated alkenes were readily realized under mild reaction conditions, thus providing efficient access to a range of synthetically valuable alkyl chlorides, chlorinated pyrrolidines, and vicinal chloroamine derivatives. These practical reactions exhibit a broad substrate scope and tolerate a wide array of functional groups, and complex molecules including various marketed drug derivatives.     

Synthesis of Amides and Phthalimides via a Palladium Catalyzed Aminocarbonylation of Aryl Halides with Formic Acid and Carbodiimides

A novel method for the preparation of amides and phthalimides has been developed. The process involves a palladium catalyzed aminocarbonylation of an aryl halide, using a carbodiimide and formic acid as the carbonyl source. Experimental data suggest that the mechanistic pathway for this process involves in‐situ generation of carbon monoxide from the reaction of formic acid with a carbodiimide in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The method can be used to produce a variety of amides and N‐substituted phthalimides efficiently.     

Cross‐Coupling of Secondary Amides with Tertiary Amides: The Use of Tertiary Amides as Surrogates of Alkyl Carbanions for Ketone Synthesis

In recent years, exciting progress has been made in the field of direct transformation of amides, nevertheless, the condensation between two amides remains rare and restricted to homo‐coupling reactions. Herein, we report the cross‐coupling of secondary amides with tertiary amides, which provides a synthesis of ketones under mild conditions, and features the use of tertiary amides as surrogates of alkyl carbanions. The method relies on the coupling of enamines, generated from tertiary amides by catalytic partial reduction of tertiary amides with Vaska's catalyst, with nitrilium ions, formed in situ from secondary amides via activation with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, and on the subsequent deformylation.     

A General Approach to Site‐Specific,Intramolecular C−H Functionalization Using Dithiocarbamates

Intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer is an established approach for the site‐specific functionalization of unactivated, aliphatic C−H bonds. Transformations using this strategy typically require unstable intermediates formed using strong oxidants and have mainly targeted C−H halogenations or intramolecular aminations. Herein, we report a site‐specific C−H functionalization that significantly increases the synthetic scope and convergency of reactions proceeding via intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer. Stable, isolable N‐dithiocarbamates are used as precursors to amidyl radicals formed via either light or radical initiation to efficiently deliver highly versatile alkyl dithiocarbamates across a wide range of complex structures.     

A General Approach to Site‐Specific,Intramolecular C−H Functionalization Using Dithiocarbamates

Intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer is an established approach for the site‐specific functionalization of unactivated, aliphatic C?H bonds. Transformations using this strategy typically require unstable intermediates formed using strong oxidants and have mainly targeted C?H halogenations or intramolecular aminations. Herein, we report a site‐specific C?H functionalization that significantly increases the synthetic scope and convergency of reactions proceeding via intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer. Stable, isolable N‐dithiocarbamates are used as precursors to amidyl radicals formed via either light or radical initiation to efficiently deliver highly versatile alkyl dithiocarbamates across a wide range of complex structures.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Hydroxy Amides and β‐Amino Alcohols from α‐Keto Amides

Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched α‐hydroxy amides and β‐amino alcohols has been accomplished by enantioselective reduction of α‐keto amides with hydrosilanes. A series of α‐keto amides were reduced in the presence of chiral Cu^II/(S)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS catalyst to give the corresponding optically active α‐hydroxy amides with excellent enantioselectivities by using (EtO)₃SiH as a reducing agent. Furthermore, a one‐pot complete reduction of both ketone and amide groups of α‐keto amides has been achieved using the same chiral copper catalyst followed by tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) catalyst in presence of (EtO)₃SiH to afford the corresponding chiral β‐amino alcohol derivatives.     

Mild and Low‐Pressure fac‐Ir(ppy)3‐Mediated Radical Aminocarbonylation of Unactivated Alkyl Iodides through Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

A novel, mild and facile preparation of alkyl amides from unactivated alkyl iodides employing a fac‐Ir(ppy)₃‐catalyzed radical aminocarbonylation protocol has been developed. Using a two‐chambered system, alkyl iodides, fac‐Ir(ppy)₃, amines, reductants, and CO gas (released ex situ from Mo(CO)₆), were combined and subjected to an initial radical reductive dehalogenation generating alkyl radicals, and a subsequent aminocarbonylation with amines affording a wide range of alkyl amides in moderate to excellent yields.     

Characterization,Consideration and Catalytic Application of Novel Pyrazine‐1,4‐Diium Trifluoromethanesulfonate {[1,4‐DHPyrazine](OTf)2} as a Green and Recyclable Ionic Liquid Catalyst in the Synthesis of Amidoalkyl Naphthol Derivatives

An efficient and green one‐pot method has been developed for the synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthol derivatives using reusable {[1,4‐DHPyrazine](OTf)₂} as an ionic liquid catalyst via condensation of aromatic aldehydes, β‐naphthol and various amides under solvent‐free conditions.     

Iodine Catalysis for C(sp3)–H Fluorination with a Nucleophilic Fluorine Source

Iodine catalysis was developed for aliphatic fluorination through light‐promoted homolytic C?H bond cleavage. The intermediary formation of amidyl radicals enables selective C?H functionalization via carbon‐centered radicals. For the subsequent C?F bond formation, previous methods have typically been limited by a requirement for electrophilic fluorine reagents. We here demonstrate that the intermediary instalment of a carbon–iodine bond sets the stage for an umpolung, thereby establishing an unprecedented nucleophilic fluorination pathway.     

Reaction of Nitrogen‐Radicals with Organometallics Under Ni‐Catalysis: N‐Arylations and Amino‐Functionalization Cascades

Herein, we report a strategy for the generation of nitrogen‐radicals by ground‐state single electron transfer with organyl–Ni^I species. Depending on the philicity of the N‐radical, two types of processes have been developed. In the case of nucleophilic aminyl radicals direct N‐arylation with aryl organozinc, organoboron, and organosilicon reagents was achieved. In the case of electrophilic amidyl radicals, cascade processes involving intramolecular cyclization, followed by reaction with both aryl and alkyl organometallics have been developed. The N‐cyclization–alkylation cascade introduces a novel retrosynthetic disconnection for the assembly of substituted lactams and pyrrolidines with its potential demonstrated in the short total synthesis of four venom alkaloids.     

In situ Generated Ruthenium Catalyst Systems Bearing Diverse N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors for Atom‐Economic Amide Synthesis from Alcohols and Amines

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed direct synthesis of amides from alcohols and amines is herein demonstrated as a highly environmentally benign and atom‐economic process. Among various catalyst systems, in situ generated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐based ruthenium (Ru) halide catalyst systems have been proven to be active for this transformation. However, these existing catalyst systems usually require an additional ligand to achieve satisfactory results. In this work, through extensive screening of a diverse variety of NHC precursors, we discovered an active in situ catalyst system for efficient amide synthesis without any additional ligand. Notably, this catalyst system was found to be insensitive to the electronic effects of the substrates, and various electron‐deficient substrates, which were not highly reactive with our previous catalyst systems, could be employed to afford the corresponding amides efficiently. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations were performed to provide a rationale for the high activity of the optimized catalyst system. NMR‐scale reactions indicated that the rapid formation of a Ru hydride intermediate (signal at δ=?7.8 ppm in the ¹H NMR spectrum) after the addition of the alcohol substrate should be pivotal in establishing the high catalyst activity. Besides, HRMS analysis provided possible structures of the in situ generated catalyst system.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Reductive N‐Alkylation of Amides with N‐Tosylhydrazones Derived from Ketones

A CuI‐catalyzed reductive coupling of ketone‐derived N‐tosylhydrazones with amides is presented. Under the optimized conditions, an array of N‐tosylhydrazones derived from aryl–alkyl and diaryl ketones could couple effectively with a wide variety of (hetero)aryl as well as aliphatic amides to afford the N‐alkylated amides in high yields. The method represents the very few examples for reliably accessing secondary and tertiary amides through a reductive N‐alkylation protocol.     

Enantioselective Hydroamidation of Enals by Trapping of a Transient Acyl Species

An enantioselective synthesis of β‐chiral amides through asymmetric and redox‐neutral hydroamidation of enals is reported. In this reaction, a chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst reacts with enals to generate the homoenolate intermediate. Upon highly enantioselective β‐protonation through proton‐shuttle catalysis, the resulting azolium intermediate reacts with imidazole to yield the key β‐chiral acyl species. This transient intermediate provides access to diversified β‐chiral carbonyl derivatives, such as amides, hydrazides, acids, esters, and thioesters. In particular, β‐chiral amides can be prepared in excellent yield and ee (40 chiral amides, up to 95 % yield and 99 % ee). This modular strategy overcomes the challenge of disruption of the highly selective proton‐shuttling process by basic amines.     

Transition-Metal-Free Three-Component Radical 1,2-Amidoalkynylation of Unactivated Alkenes

A transition-metal-free radical 1,2-amidoalkynylation of unactivated alkenes is presented. α-Amido-oxy acids were used as amidyl radical precursors, which were oxidized by an organic photoredox catalyst (4CzlPN). The electrophilic N-radicals chemoselectively reacted with various aliphatic alkenes and the adduct radicals were then trapped by ethynylbenziodoxolone (EBX) reagents to eventually provide the amidoalkynylation products. These transformations, which were conducted under practical and mild conditions, showed high functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope. Mechanistic studies supported the radical nature of these cascades.