Visible Light Photoredox Conditions Research Articles

Bidirectional Elongation Strategy Using Ambiphilic Radical Linchpin for Modular Access to 1,4-Dicarbonyls via Sequential Photocatalysis.

Organic molecules that can be connected to multiple substrates by sequential C-C bond formations can be utilized as linchpins in multicomponent processes. While they are useful for rapidly increasing molecular complexity, most of the reported linchpin coupling methods rely on the use of organometallic species as strong carbon nucleophiles to form C-C bonds, which narrows the functional group compatibility. Here, we describe a metal-free, radical-mediated coupling approach using a formyl-stabilized phosphonium ylide as a multifunctional linchpin under visible-light photoredox conditions. The present method uses the ambiphilic character of the phosphonium ylide, which serves as both a nucleophilic and an electrophilic carbon-centered radical source. The stepwise and controllable generation of these radical intermediates allows sequential photocatalysis involving two mechanistically distinct radical additions, both of which are initiated by the same photocatalyst in one pot with high functional group tolerance. The methodology enables a bidirectional assembly of the linchpin with two electronically differentiated alkene fragments and thus offers rapid and modular access to 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds as versatile synthetic intermediates.

Organophotoredox-mediated Formal [3+2]-Cycloaddition of 2H-Azirines with Aryldiazonium Salts: Direct Access to Trisubstituted 1,2,4-Triazoles.

The present work documents an organophotoredox-mediated formal [3+2]-cycloaddition of 2H-azirines with aryl diazonium tetrafluoroborate salts to furnish 1,3,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles. The reaction furnishes a regioisomeric mixture of 1,2,4-triazoles in case of unsymmetrically substituted azirines. It is noteworthy that aryl radical generation from diazonium salt under visible light photoredox conditions could be successfully avoided by carefully selecting the reaction conditions.

Single electron transfer catalysis by diphenylthiourea under visible light photoredox conditions

Diphenylthiourea, upon deprotonation and subsequent photoexcitation, has been shown to reductively cleave an aryl bromide bond, paving the way for multiple chemical transformations.

Photoinduced Halogen-Atom Transfer by N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Ligated Boryl Radicals for C(sp3)-C(sp3) Bond Formation.

Herein, we present a comprehensive study on the use of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-ligated boryl radicals to enable C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond formation under visible-light irradiation via Halogen-Atom Transfer (XAT). The methodology relies on the use of an acridinium dye to generate the boron-centered radicals from the corresponding NHC-ligated boranes via single-electron transfer (SET) and deprotonation. These boryl radicals subsequently engage with alkyl halides in an XAT step, delivering the desired nucleophilic alkyl radicals. The present XAT strategy is very mild and accommodates a broad scope of alkyl halides, including medicinally relevant compounds and biologically active molecules. The key role of NHC-ligated boryl radicals in the operative reaction mechanism has been elucidated through a combination of experimental, spectroscopic, and computational studies. This methodology stands as a significant advancement in the chemistry of NHC-ligated boryl radicals, which had long been restricted to radical reductions, enabling C-C bond formation under visible-light photoredox conditions.

Hydrotrifluoromethylation of Styrene and Phenylacetylene Derivatives under Visible-Light Photoredox Conditions

Photoredox processes have emerged recently as a powerful tool for methodology developments. In this context, the hydrotrifluoromethylation of alkenes and alkynes using visible light photoredox methodologies has proven its efficiency these last years. This micro-review summarizes the latest developments in this field.

Photoredox Catalytic Phosphine-Mediated Deoxygenation of Hydroxylamines Enables the Construction of N-Acyliminophosphoranes.

The chemistry of phosphoranyl radicals has received increasing attention in recent years. Here, we report the generation of amidyl radicals through photocatalytic deoxygenation of hydroxylamines with triphenylphosphine. This methodology offers a novel and convenient route to a diverse range of N-acyliminophosphoranes in moderate to good yields under visible-light photoredox conditions. Fluorescence quenching experiments suggest that the excited-state of the organic photocatalyst (4CzIPN) was oxidatively quenched by a Cu(II) salt.

Boryl Radical Activation of Benzylic C-OH Bond: Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Free Alcohols and CO2 via Photoredox Catalysis.

A new strategy for the direct cleavage of the C(sp3)-OH bond has been developed via activation of free alcohols with neutral diphenyl boryl radical generated from sodium tetraphenylborate under mild visible light photoredox conditions. This strategy has been verified by cross-electrophile coupling of free alcohols and carbon dioxide for the synthesis of carboxylic acids. Direct transformation of a range of primary, secondary, and tertiary benzyl alcohols to acids has been achieved. Control experiments and computational studies indicate that activation of alcohols with neutral boryl radical undergoes homolysis of the C(sp3)-OH bond, generating alkyl radicals. After reducing the alkyl radical into carbon anion under photoredox conditions, the following carboxylation with CO2 affords the coupling product.

Bimodal photocatalytic behaviour of a zinc β-diketiminate: application to trifluoromethylation reactions.

A photoactive zinc β-diketiminate complex spans a wide redox window of 3.97 V at its excited state. Having a highly reducing excited-state potential, it generates an electrophilic trifluoromethyl radical by the reductive cleavage of triflyl chloride. This leads to trifluoromethylation of a set of arenes and heteroarenes. During the oxidative quenching of the photocatalyst, a ligand-centered radical cation is formed, which has been detected by spectroelectrochemical EPR measurement.

Selective deoxygenative alkylation of alcohols via photocatalytic domino radical fragmentations

The delivery of alkyl radicals through photocatalytic deoxygenation of primary alcohols under mild conditions is a so far unmet challenge. In this report, we present a one-pot strategy for deoxygenative Giese reaction of alcohols with electron-deficient alkenes, by using xanthate salts as alcohol-activating groups for radical generation under visible-light photoredox conditions in the presence of triphenylphosphine. The convenient generation of xanthate salts and high reactivity of sequential C–S/C–O bond homolytic cleavage enable efficient deoxygenation of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols with diverse functionality and structure to generate the corresponding alkyl radicals, including methyl radical. Moreover, chemoselective radical monodeoxygenation of diols is achieved via selective formation of xanthate salts.

Photocatalyzed cycloaromatization of vinylsilanes with arylsulfonylazides

Sila-molecules have recently attracted attention due to their promising applications in medical and industrial fields. Compared with all-carbon parent compounds, the different covalent radius and electronegativity of silicon from carbon generally endow the corresponding sila-analogs with unique biological activity and physicochemical properties. Vinylsilanes feature both silyl-hyperconjugation effect and versatile reactivities, developing vinylsilane-based Smiles rearrangement will therefore provide an efficient platform to assemble complex silacycles. Here we report a practical Ir(III)-catalyzed cycloaromatization of ortho-alkynylaryl vinylsilanes with arylsulfonyl azides for delivering naphthyl-fused benzosiloles under visible-light photoredox conditions. The combination of experiments and density functional theory (DFT) energy profiles reveals the reaction mechanism involving α-silyl radical Smiles rearrangement.

Iridium(III)-Catalyzed Difluoroalkylation–Bicyclization of 1,7-Enynes toward Benzo[a]fluoren-5-ones under Visible-Light Photoredox Conditions

A new visible-light-induced Ir(III)-catalyzed difluoroalkylation–bicyclization of 1,7-enynes with ethyl 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroacetate (BrCF2CO2Et) is described, furnishing a wide range of difluoromethyl-containing benzo[a]fluoren-5-ones in good to excellent yields. The reaction is operationally simple, proceeds with high efficiency under mild conditions, and shows excellent functional group compatibility.

Photoredox Fischer Indole Synthesis

Visible light photoredox conditions were applied to the traditional Fischer indole synthesis. N,N-Diarylhydrazones were efficiently converted into the corresponding indoles even at 30 °C by treatment with bromotrichloromethane in the presence of Ru(bpy)3Cl2·6H2O as the photocatalyst. Electrochemical study revealed the viability of oxidative quenching cycle for the photocatalysis, which set the basis for proposing the redox-based reaction mechanism.

Visible-Light-Promoted Thiyl Radical Generation from Sodium Sulfinates: A Radical-Radical Coupling to Thioesters.

A convenient visible-light photoredox catalysis has been developed for the synthesis of thioesters from two readily available starting materials: acid chlorides and sodium sulfinates. The facile generation of acyl radical species under the visible light photoredox conditions allows the formation of thiyl radical species from sodium sulfinates via multiple single electron transfer reactions, where the final acyl radical-thiyl radical coupling has been accomplished. The direct radical-radical coupling strategy offers a mild and controlled photochemical approach to important synthetic building blocks such as thioesters.

Decarboxylative Borylation of Aliphatic Esters under Visible-Light Photoredox Conditions.

The conventional methods for preparing alkyl boronates often necessitate anhydrous and demanding reaction conditions. Herein, a new, operationally simple decarboxylative borylation reaction of readily available aliphatic acid derivatives under additive-free visible-light photoredox conditions in nonanhydrous solvents has been described. Primary and secondary alkyl boronates or tetrafluoroborates with various functional groups were prepared accordingly. A catalytic cycle involving alkyl radical reaction with base-activated diboron species has been proposed.

Photoredox Catalysis Mediated Application of Methyl Fluorosulfonyldifluoroacetate as the CF2CO2R Radical Source.

A new application of trifluoromethylating reagent, methyl fluorosulfonyldifluoroacetate (FO2SCF2CO2Me, Chen's reagent), as the carbomethoxydifluoromethylating reagent under visible light photoredox conditions is reported. The visible-light-induced reaction of FO2SCF2CO2Me with unactivated alkenes, styrenes, or heteroarenes affords a variety of carbomethoxydifluoromethylated products.

ChemInform Abstract: Photoredox‐Catalyzed Bromodifluoromethylation of Alkenes with (Difluoromethyl)triphenylphosphonium Bromide.

Under visible-light photoredox conditions, difluoromethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide was used as the precursor of the CF2H radical for bromodifluoromethylation of alkenes. The presence of catalytic CuBr2 resulted in the selective formation of the bromodifluoromethylated products.

Oxidative Addition to Gold(I) by Photoredox Catalysis: Straightforward Access to Diverse (C,N)-Cyclometalated Gold(III) Complexes.

Herein, we report the oxidative addition of aryldiazonium salts to ligand-supported gold(I) complexes under visible light photoredox conditions. This method provides experimental evidence for the involvement of such a process in dual gold/photoredox-catalyzed reactions and delivers well-defined (C,N)-cyclometalated gold(III) species. The remarkably mild reaction conditions and the ability to widely vary the ancillary ligand make this method a potentially powerful synthetic tool to access diverse gold(III) complexes for systematic studies into their properties and reactivity. Initial studies show that these species can undergo chloride abstraction to afford Lewis acidic dicationic gold(III) species.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Bromodifluoromethylation of Alkenes with (Difluoromethyl)triphenylphosphonium Bromide.

Under visible-light photoredox conditions, difluoromethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide was used as the precursor of the CF2H radical for bromodifluoromethylation of alkenes. The presence of catalytic CuBr2 resulted in the selective formation of the bromodifluoromethylated products.

Visible-light-mediated benzylic sp3 C–H bond functionalization to C–Br or C–N bond

A visible-light-promoted functionalization of unactivated benzylic sp3 C–H bonds was developed. Ethylbenzene derivatives were converted to the corresponding benzyl bromides or afforded benzylamine derivatives in a one-pot manner under visible light photoredox conditions.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Tandem Insertion/Cyclization Reactions of Difluoromethyl and 1,1-Difluoroalkyl Radicals with Biphenyl Isocyanides.

Using visible-light photoredox conditions, difluoromethylation and 1,1-difluoroalkylation of biphenyl isocyanides have allowed the synthesis of a series of 6-(difluoromethyl)- and 6-(1,1-difluoroalkyl)phenanthridines via tandem addition/cyclization/oxidation processes. The reactions are carried out in wet dioxane at room temperature using fac-Ir(ppy)3 as catalyst to form a large variety of substituted phenanthridine products in good to excellent yield.