Amidyl Radical Directed Remote Allylation of Unactivated sp3 C−H Bonds by Organic Photoredox Catalysis

The development of visible‐light‐mediated allylation of unactivated sp³ C?H bonds is reported. The remote allylation was directed by the amidyl radical, which was generated by photocatalytic fragmentation of a pre‐functionalized amide precursor. Both aromatic and aliphatic amide derivatives could successfully deliver the remote C?H allylation products in good yields. A variety of electron deficient allyl sulfone systems could be used as δ‐carbon radical acceptor.     

Exploration of a Chiral Cobalt Catalyst for Visible‐Light‐Induced Enantioselective Radical Conjugate Addition

Chiral catalysts tolerating photochemical reactions are in great demand for the vast development of visible‐light‐induced asymmetric synthesis. Now, chiral octahedral complexes based on earth‐abundant metal and chiral N₄ ligands are reported. One well‐defined chiral Co^II‐complex is shown to be an efficient catalyst in the visible‐light‐induced conjugated addition of enones by alkyl and acyl radicals, providing synthetically valued chiral ketones and 1,4‐dicarbonyls in 47–>99 % yields with up to 97:3 e.r.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive 1,2‐Carboamination of Unactivated Alkenes

Starting from diverse alkene‐tethered aryl iodides and O‐benzoyl‐hydroxylamines, the enantioselective reductive cross‐electrophilic 1,2‐carboamination of unactivated alkenes was achieved using a chiral pyrox/nickel complex as the catalyst. This mild, modular, and practical protocol provides rapid access to a variety of β‐chiral amines with an enantioenriched aryl‐substituted quaternary carbon center in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. This process reveals a complementary regioselectivity when compared to Pd and Cu catalysis.     

Hydrotrifluoromethylthiolation of Unactivated Alkenes and Alkynes with Trifluoromethanesulfonic Anhydride through Deoxygenative Reduction and Photoredox Radical Processes

An ongoing challenge in trifluoromethylthiolation reactions is the use of less expensive and easily available trifluoromethylthio sources. Herein, we disclose an unprecedented usage of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (Tf₂O) as a radical trifluoromethylthiolating reagent. Hydrotrifluoromethylthiolation of unactivated alkenes and alkynes with Tf₂O in the presence of PMePh₂ and H₂O under visible‐light photoredox catalysis gave the addition products. The trifluoromethylthio radical (^.SCF₃) was first formed from Tf₂O through a photoredox radical processes and deoxygenative reduction of PMePh₂, and H₂O serves as the H‐atom donor for the hydrotrifluoromethylthiolation reaction. This reaction provides a new strategy for radical trifluoromethylthiolation.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive 1,2-Carboamination of Unactivated Alkenes

Starting from diverse alkene-tethered aryl iodides and O-benzoyl-hydroxylamines, the enantioselective reductive cross-electrophilic 1,2-carboamination of unactivated alkenes was achieved using a chiral pyrox/nickel complex as the catalyst. This mild, modular, and practical protocol provides rapid access to a variety of β-chiral amines with an enantioenriched aryl-substituted quaternary carbon center in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. This process reveals a complementary regioselectivity when compared to Pd and Cu catalysis.     

Radical Heteroarylalkylation of Alkenes via Three‐Component Docking‐Migration Thioetherification Cascade

A novel, rational‐designed approach to access various heteroaryl‐substituted alkyl thioethers was developed via docking‐migration cascade process. By utilizing three components involving alkene, dual‐function reagent, and thioetherificating reagent, radical heteroarylalkylation of alkenes followed by thiolation of the alkyl radical intermediates proceeded smoothly, manifesting well compatibility of substrates and cascade transformations. Furthermore, this protocol also features mild conditions, broad substrate scope, and wide product diversity.     

Radical‐Mediated Three‐Component Coupling of Alkenes

A tandem radical process involving conjugate addition to an activated alkene followed by allylation is reported. B‐Alkylcatecholboranes, easily available via hydroboration of the corresponding alkenes, were used to generate the initial radicals. These radicals add efficiently to electrophilic alkenes such as phenyl vinyl sulfone, N‐phenylmaleimide, and dialkyl fumarate. In the last step of this one‐pot process, the radical adducts react with the allylic sulfones. The whole process can be considered as a unique and selective coupling of three different alkenes.     

Markovnikov‐Selective Radical Addition of S‐Nucleophiles to Terminal Alkynes through a Photoredox Process

Direct radical additions to terminal alkynes have been widely employed in organic synthesis, providing credible access to the anti‐Markovnikov products. Because of the Kharasch effect, regioselective control for the formation of Markovnikov products still remains a great challenge. Herein, we develop a transition‐metal‐free, visible light‐mediated radical addition of S‐nucleophiles to terminal alkynes, furnishing a wide array of α‐substituted vinyl sulfones with exclusive Markovnikov regioselectivity. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that radical/radical cross‐coupling might be the key step in this transformation. This radical Markovnikov addition protocol also provides an opportunity to facilitate the synthesis of other valuable α‐substituted vinyl compounds.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Azidotrifluoromethylation/Difunctionalization of Alkenes

A novel three‐component strategy for the azidotrifluoromethylation of alkenes has been presented here. The reaction proceeded smoothly under gentle temperature and gave the bifunctional olefins in high yields. Furthermore, 1,3‐dipolar reactions between azide‐containing products and phenylacetylene revealed great potential in molecular modification by using this method.     

Dual Photoredox/Nickel‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Carbofunctionalization of Alkenes

The potential of merging photoredox and nickel catalysis to perform multicomponent alkene difunctionalizations under visible‐light irradiation is demonstrated here. Secondary and tertiary alkyl groups, as well as sulfonyl moieties can be added to the terminal position of the double bond with simultaneous arylation of the internal carbon atom in a single step under mild reaction conditions. The process, devoid of stoichiometric additives, benefits from the use of bench‐stable and easy‐to‐handle reagents, is operationally simple, and tolerates a wide variety of functional groups.     

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.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Oxyboration of Unactivated Alkenes

The first regiodivergent oxyboration of unactivated terminal alkenes is reported, using copper alkoxide as a catalyst, bis(pinacolato)diboron [(Bpin)₂] as a boron source, and (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO) as an oxygen source. The reaction is compatible with various functional groups. Two regioisomers are selectively produced by selecting the appropriate ligands on copper. The products may be used as a linchpin precursor for various other functionalizations, and net processes such as carbooxygenation, aminooxygenation, and dioxygenation of alkenes can be achieved after C?B bond transformations. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction involves the following steps: 1) Transmetalation between CuOtBu and (Bpin)₂ to generate a borylcopper species; 2) regiodivergent borylcupration of alkenes; 3) oxidation of the thus‐generated C?Cu bond to give an alkyl radical; 4) trapping of the resulting alkyl radical by TEMPO.     

Cyclopropanation of Terminal Alkenes through Sequential Atom‐Transfer Radical Addition/1,3‐Elimination

An operationally simple method to affect an atom‐transfer radical addition of commercially available ICH₂Bpin to terminal alkenes has been developed. The intermediate iodide can be transformed in a one‐pot process into the corresponding cyclopropane upon treatment with a fluoride source. This method is highly selective for the cyclopropanation of unactivated terminal alkenes over non‐terminal alkenes and electron‐deficient alkenes. Due to the mildness of the procedure, a wide range of functional groups such as esters, amides, alcohols, ketones, and vinylic cyclopropanes are well tolerated.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Unactivated Alkenes

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes with strategic use of remote coordinating functional groups has received significant attention recently to address the issues of both low reactivity and poor selectivity. The bidentate 8‐aminoquinoline amide group is the most successfully adopted in unactivated alkenes for Pd and Ni catalysis. We describe the first manganese‐catalyzed hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes bearing diverse simple functionalities with arylboronic acids. A series of δ‐ and γ‐arylated amides, ketones, pyridines, and amines was accessed with excellent regioselectivity and in high yields. Hydroalkenylation of unactivated alkenes was also shown to be applicable under this manganese‐catalysis regime. The method features earth‐abundant manganese catalysis, easily available substrates, broad functional‐group tolerance, and excellent regioselective control.     

Anti-Markovnikov Radical Hydro- and Deuteroamidation of Unactivated Alkenes

Radical anti-Markovnikov hydro- and deuteroamidation of unactivated alkenes was achieved by merging photoredox and thiol catalysis. Reactions proceed by addition of the electrophilic CbzHN-radical (Cbz=carbobenzyloxy), readily generated by single-electron-transfer (SET) oxidation of an α-Cbz-amino-oxy acid to an alkene. The adduct radical is reduced by thiophenol added as an organic polarity reversal cocatalyst, which mediates the H transfer from H₂O to the alkyl radical intermediate. Accordingly, deuteroamidation of alkenes was realized with excellent D incorporation by using D₂O as the stoichiometric formal radical-reducing reagent. The reaction features low redox catalyst loading, excellent anti-Markovnikov selectivity, and the use of a large alkene excess is not required. Diverse Cbz-protected primary amines, including β-deuterated amines, can be obtained by applying this method.     

One‐Pot Three‐Component Synthesis of Vicinal Diamines via In Situ Aminal Formation and Carboamination

A synthesis of vicinal diamines via in situ aminal formation and carboamination of allyl amines is reported. Employing highly electron‐poor trifluoromethyl aldimines in their stable hemiaminal form was key to enable both a fast and complete aminal formation as well as the palladium‐catalyzed carboamination step. The conditions developed allow the introduction of a wide variety of alkynyl, vinyl, aryl, and hetereoaryl groups with complete regioselectivity and high diastereoselectivity. The reaction exhibits a high functional‐group tolerance. Importantly, either nitrogen atom of the imidazolidine products can be selectively deprotected, while removal of the aminal tether can be achieved in a single step under mild conditions to reveal the free diamine. We expect that this work will promote the further use of mixed aminal tethers in organic synthesis.     

Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Carboetherification of Unactivated Alkenes

Chiral saturated oxygen heterocycles are important components of bioactive compounds. Cyclization of alcohols onto pendant alkenes is a direct route to their synthesis, but few catalytic enantioselective methods enabling cyclization onto unactivated alkenes exist. Herein reported is a highly efficient copper‐catalyzed cyclization of γ‐unsaturated pentenols which terminates in C? C bond formation, a net alkene carboetherification. Both intra‐ and intermolecular C? C bond formations are demonstrated, thus yielding functionalized chiral tetrahydrofurans as well as fused‐ring and bridged‐ring oxabicyclic products. Transition‐state calculations support a cis‐oxycupration stereochemistry‐determining step.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Carboazidation of Alkenes with Acetonitrile and Sodium Azide

A copper‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of alkenes, acetonitrile, and sodium azide afforded γ‐azido alkyl nitriles by formation of one C(sp³)−C(sp³) bond and one C(sp³)−N bond. The transformation allows concomitant introduction of two highly versatile groups (CN and N₃) across the double bond. A sequence involving the copper‐mediated generation of a cyanomethyl radical and its subsequent addition to an alkene, and a C(sp³)−N bond formation accounted for the reaction outcome. The resulting γ‐azido alkyl nitrile can be easily converted into 1,4‐diamines, γ‐amino nitriles, γ‐azido esters, and γ‐lactams of significant synthetic value.