Photochemical Radical Bicyclization of 1,5-Enynes: Divergent Synthesis of Fluorenes and Azepinones.

A dual nickel- and iridium-photocatalyzed radical cascade bicyclization reaction for the synthesis of highly complex molecular structures in an atom- and step-economic manner has been described. A series of radical precursors are utilized for the divergent synthesis of diversely substituted fluorenes and indenoazepinones bearing quaternary carbons by using cascade cyclization reactions of 1,5-enynes. This reaction is characterized by its mild conditions, broad substrate scope, excellent selectivity, and satisfactory yield including facile scale-up synthesis.

Visible-light-induced oxidant/additive-free atom-economic synthesis of multifunctionalized cyclopropanes via energy transfer.

Herein we describe intramolecular cascade reactions enabling the synthesis of bridged cyclopropanes, via the photoinduced energy-transfer catalysis of tethered conjugated dienes. Photocatalysis affords the efficient synthesis of complex tricyclic compounds that exhibit multiple stereocenters from readily accessible starting materials that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. This single-step reaction is characterized by its broad substrate scope, atom-economy, excellent selectivity, and satisfactory yield, which includes a facile scale-up synthesis and synthetic transformation. An in-depth mechanistic study reveals that the reaction proceeds via an energy-transfer pathway.

Correction: Visible light-assisted Ni-/Ir-catalysed atom-economic synthesis of spiro[furan-3,1'-indene] derivatives.

Correction for 'Visible light-assisted Ni-/Ir-catalysed atom-economic synthesis of spiro[furan-3,1'-indene] derivatives' by Babasaheb Sopan Gore et al., Chem. Commun., 2022, 58, 4087-4090, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00717G.

Visible light-assisted Ni-/Ir-catalysed atom-economic synthesis of spiro[furan-3,1'-indene] derivatives.

An atom-economic, efficient, and highly convenient construction of spiro[furan-3,1'-indene] skeletons from isocyanides and 1,5-enynes by synergistic nickel- and iridium-photocatalysis is reported. Spirocyclization was developed under practical and mild conditions, which features excellent functional group tolerance, gram-scale synthesis and representative synthetic transformations for the obtained products and broad substrate scope. Primary mechanistic studies demonstrated that the reaction proceeds through energy-transfer-mediated excitation of intermediate catalytic species.

De Novo Protocol for the Construction of Benzo[a]fluorenes via Nitrile/Alkene Activation.

Unprecedented chemo- and regioselective synthesis of benzo[a]fluorenes and naphthamide-substituted benzo[a]fluorenes were constructed from the reaction of (E)-2-aroyl-3-(2-(arylalkynes/alkenes)aryl)acrylonitrile scaffolds under metal-free conditions via the activation of nitriles and alkenes, respectively. A tentative reaction mechanism was proposed for this homofunctionalization of nitriles. Control experiments showed that the reaction proceeds via selective nitrile or alkene protonation, depending upon the substrates. Additionally, we demonstrated an alternative expeditious route for the synthesis of disubstituted benzo[a]fluorenes in the presence of TfOH alone.

Metal-Free Solvent/Base-Switchable Divergent Synthesis of Multisubstituted Dihydrofurans.

A general protocol for the synthesis of multisubstituted 2,3-dihydrofuran-2-carbonitriles and 4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carbonitriles was demonstrated under a metal-free regime with the same oxidant, TBHP. By simply switching the reaction solvent and base, the reaction proceeds via two pathways. An unexpected -CN group migration rearrangement and hydroxylation have occurred in nonpolar and polar solvents, respectively, under the reported conditions. Furthermore, the source of the hydroxyl group and hydrogen in the reaction is indirectly confirmed with isotope labeling studies.

Lewis Acid Catalyzed Atom-Economic Synthesis of C2-Substituted Indoles from o-Amido Alkynols.

Herein we have disclosed a Zn(OTf)2 catalyzed synthesis of C2-alkyl substituted indole derivatives via unprecedented carbonyl group migration from o-amido alkynols. The key features of this protocol involve N,O-carbonyl group migration, broad substrate scope with varied functionality tolerance, moderate to good yields, and 100% atom economy. The crossover experiments proved that the migration is happening via an intramolecular pathway.

BF3-Etherate-Promoted Cascade Reaction of 2-Alkynylanilines with Nitriles: One-Pot Assembly of 4-Amido-Cinnolines.

A BF3-etherate-promoted cascade reaction of nitriles with 2-alkynylanilines is described. This method achieves the formation of two new C-N bonds through a reaction sequence of diazotization with t-BuONO, nucleophilic addition of the alkyne to the BF3-coordinated diazonium ion, followed by nitrile addition to the intermediary vinyl cation and hydrolysis. The method provides efficient and general access to a variety of 4-amido-cinnolines. Notable features of the method include its broad functional group tolerance and avoidance of transition metals.