Cost-Effective Carbon Quaternization with Redox-Active Esters and Olefins.

Quaternary carbons are embedded in various natural products, pharmaceuticals, and organic materials; however, constructing this valuable motif is far from trivial. Conventional approaches mainly rely on classical polar disconnections and encounter bottlenecks concerning harsh conditions, functional group tolerance, regioselectivity, and step economy. In this context, Kawamata, Baran, Shenvi, and coworkers recently demonstrated that two feedstock chemicals, alkyl carboxylic acids and olefins, could be utilized to construct tetrasubstituted carbons in the presence of an inexpensive iron porphyrin catalyst and a suitable reductant combination through quaternization of radical intermediates. The method enabled access to various sterically encumbered quaternary carbons under mild and robust conditions. Taking a complete detour from conventional approaches, the present heteroselective radical-radical coupling simplifies the synthesis of quaternary carbon-containing molecules through an innovative and distinctive disconnection approach.

Direct C-H alkylation of 3,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-ones with N-(acyloxy)phthalimides via radical-radical cross coupling.

We present an organophotoredox-catalyzed direct Csp3-H alkylation of 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-ones employing N-(acyloxy)pthalimides to provide corresponding products in good yields. A broad spectrum of NHPI esters (1°, 2°, 3°, and sterically encumbered) participates in the photoinduced alkylation of a variety of 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-ones. In general, mild conditions, broad scope with good functional group tolerance, and scalability are the salient features of this direct alkylation process.

Photodecarboxylative Radical Cascade Involving N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides for the Synthesis of Pyrazolones.

We disclose N'-arylidene-N-acryloyltosylhydrazides as novel skeletons for the synthesis of biologically relevant alkylated pyrazolones through a photoinduced radical cascade with N-(acyloxy)pthalimides as readily available alkyl surrogates. The reaction proceeds through the formation of a photoactivated electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex between alkyl N-(acyloxy)phthalimide (NHPI) esters and LiI/PPh3 as a commercially available donor system. The reaction exhibits a broad scope and scalability, thereby enabling synthesis of a broad spectrum of functionally orchestrated alkylated pyrazolones under mild and transition-metal-free conditions.

Visible Light-Induced Imide Alkylation of Azauracils with Aryl Diazoesters.

A visible light-induced green and sustainable N-H functionalization of (aza)uracils with α-diazo esters leading to imide alkylation is described. The reaction does not require any catalyst or additive and proceeds under mild conditions. Moreover, an intriguing three component coupling was observed when (aza)uracils were allowed to react with α-diazo esters in cyclic ethers (e. g. 1,4-dioxane, THF) as a solvent. Both the insertion and three-component coupling features broad scope with good to excellent yields and appreciable functional group tolerance. Notably, the divergent method enables modification of natural products and pharmaceuticals, thereby facilitates access to potentially biologically active compounds.

Photodecarboxylative C-H Alkylation of Azauracils with N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides.

We disclose a transition-metal-free NaI/PPh3-mediated direct C-H alkylation of azauracils using N-(acyloxy)pthalimides (NHPIs) as readily available alkyl surrogates under visible light irradiation. Detailed mechanistic studies reveal formation of a photoactivated electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex between NaI/PPh3, TMEDA, and alkyl NHPI ester and establish the crucial role of TMEDA in increasing the activity of the photoredox system. The reaction demonstrates a broad scope, scalability, and appreciable functional group tolerance. A variety of azauracils are shown to undergo alkylation by primary, secondary, and tertiary NHPI esters under mild conditions, furnishing the desired products in good to excellent yields.

Photoinduced Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex-Mediated Radical Cascade Involving N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides: Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines.

We conceptualized a novel disconnection approach for the synthesis of fused tetrahydroquinolines that exploits a visible light-mediated radical (4 + 2) annulation between alkyl N-(acyloxy)phthalimides and N-substituted maleimides in the presence of DIPEA as an additive. The reaction proceeds through the formation of a photoactivated electron donor-acceptor complex between alkyl NHPI esters and DIPEA, and the final tetrahydroquinolines were obtained in a complete regioselective fashion. The methodology features a broad scope and good functional group tolerance and operates under metal- and catalyst-free reaction conditions. Detailed mechanistic investigations including density functional theory studies provide insight into the reaction pathway.

An organophotoredox-catalyzed redox-neutral cascade involving N-(acyloxy)phthalimides and allenamides: synthesis of indoles.

An organophotoredox-catalyzed radical cascade of allenamides and alkyl N-(acyloxy)phthalimides for the synthesis of indoles is documented. The method features mild and robust reaction conditions, and exhibits broad scope. The tandem process enriches the limited repertoire of alkyl NHPI ester addition on electron-rich π-bonds as well as radical chemistry involving allenamides.

Late-Stage Alkylation of Heterocycles Using N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides.

Synthetic methods enabling late-stage modification of heterocycles hold tremendous importance in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry and drug discovery. Accordingly, efficient, functional group tolerant and selective late-stage alkylation of valuable molecular entities is of enormous significance and well-acknowledged in medicinal chemistry. Radical alkylation of heteroarenes employing carboxylic acids as the alkyl radical precursor represents one of the most direct ways of C-H functionalizations of heterocycles. Recently, the field has undergone a revolutionary development especially with regard to the generation of alkyl radicals under much milder conditions. In this regard N-(acyloxy)phthalimides (NHPI esters) have emerged as a suitable precursor of a diverse set of alkyl radicals allowing formal C-H alkylation of not only N-heteroarenes but a diverse set of non-aromatic heterocycles under visible light photocatalysis or electrochemical conditions. This review delineates all these discoveries and provides readers a comprehensive overview of this rapidly expanding field.