Visible-Light-Mediated [2+2] Photocycloadditions of Alkynes.

Visible-light-mediated [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction can be considered an ideal solution due to its green and sustainable properties, and is one of the most efficient methods to synthesize four-membered ring motifs. Although research on the [2+2] photocycloaddition of alkynes is challenging because of the diminished reactivity of alkynes, and the more significant ring strain of the products, remarkable achievements have been made in this field. In this article, we highlight the recent advances in visible-light-mediated [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions of alkynes, with focus on the reaction mechanism and the late-stage synthetic applications. Advances in obtaining cyclobutenes, azetines, and oxetene active intermediates continue to be breakthroughs in this fascinating field of research.

Autoxidation/Aldol Tandem Reaction of 2-Oxindoles with Ketones: A Green Approach for the Synthesis of 3-Hydroxy-2-Oxindoles.

In the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride and molecular sieves (MS) 4 Šin DMF, an efficient autoxidation reaction of 2-oxindoles with ketones under air at room temperature has been developed. This approach may provide a green, practical, and metal-free protocol for a wide range of biologically important 3-hydroxy-3-(2-oxo-alkyl)-2-oxindoles.

Aerobic oxidative coupling of resveratrol and its analogues by visible light using mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg-C(3)N(4)) as a bioinspired catalyst.

The first aerobic oxidative coupling of resveratrol and its analogues by mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride as a bioinspired catalyst with visible light has been developed. With this method, δ-viniferin and its analogues were synthesized in moderate to high yield. The metal-free conditions, visible-light irradiation, and the ideal oxidant, molecular oxygen, make this coupling reaction environmental friendly and practical.

Total Syntheses of Hosieines A-C.

The collective total syntheses of (±)-hosieines A-C with a cage-like tetracyclic framework have been realized, which includes the first syntheses of hosieines B-C. The key strategy of the synthesis employs a one-pot domino reaction that involves Cu-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition, 1,6-enone formation, and 1,6-aza-Michael addition forming the 5/6/6-aza-tricyclic skeleton. Other salient synthetic tactics comprise a challenging double bond migration and a 1,4-aza-Michael addition reaction to afford the tetracyclic framework.

Thiocyanate radical mediated dehydration of aldoximes with visible light and air.

We developed a new means of activating aldoximes by an in situ generated thiocyanate radical from ammonium thiocyanate and molecular oxygen at room temperature. With a catalytic amount of organic dye aizenuranine as the photocatalyst, the dehydration of aldoximes proceeds smoothly under visible light irradiation, providing a simple to handle, excellent functional group tolerance, and metal-free protocol for a wide range of nitriles.

Preparation of Heterocycles via Visible-Light-Driven Aerobic Selenation of Olefins with Diselenides.

The aerobic dehydrogenative cyclization of alkenes with easily accessible diselenides facilitated by visible light is reported. Notably, the features of this transition-metal-free protocol are pronounced efficiency and practicality, good functional group tolerance, atom economy, and high sustainability, since ambient air and visible light are adequate for the clean construction of five- and six membered heterocycles in yields of up to 98%.

Preparation of α-Acyloxy Ketones via Visible-Light-Driven Aerobic Oxo-Acyloxylation of Olefins with Carboxylic Acids.

We developed a visible-light driven oxo-acyloxylation of aryl alkenes with carboxylic acids and molecular oxygen. A metal-free photoredox system, consisting of an acridinium photocatalyst, an organic base, and molecular sieve (MS) 4 Å, promotes chemoselective aerobic photooxidation of aryl alkenes. This approach may provide a green, practical, and metal-free protocol for a wide range of α-acyloxy ketones.