Dual-Functional Chiral Cu-Catalyst-Induced Photoredox Asymmetric Cyanofluoroalkylation of Alkenes

Abstract

In the past decades, the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric organic reactions have been well-developed. By contrast, the potential of Cu to serve as a chiral photocatalyst remains underexplored. We here report the visible-light-induced, Cu-catalyzed photoredox enantioselective cyanofluoroalkylation of alkenes. In the reaction, the Cu-based single catalyst played a dual role, as both the photoredox catalyst for the outer-sphere electron transfer and the asymmetric cross-coupling catalyst for enantioselective C–CN bond formation.