Machine-Learning Classification for the Prediction of Catalytic Activity of Organic Photosensitizers in the Nickel(II)-Salt-Induced Synthesis of Phenols.

Catalytic systems using a small amount of organic photosensitizer for the activation of an inorganic (on-demand ligand-free) nickel(II) salt represent a cost-effective method for cross-coupling reactions, while C(sp2 )-O bond formation remains less developed. Herein, we report a strategy for the synthesis of phenols with a nickel(II) salt and an organic photosensitizer, which was identified via an investigation into the catalytic activity of 60 organic photosensitizers consisting of various electron donor and acceptor moieties. To examine the effect of multiple intractable parameters on the catalytic activity of photosensitizers, machine-learning (ML) models were developed, wherein we embedded descriptors representing their physical and structural properties, which were obtained from DFT calculations and RDKit, respectively. The study clarified that integrating both DFT- and RDKit-derived descriptors in ML models balances higher "precision" and "recall" across a wide range of search space relative to using only one of the two descriptor sets.

Simple generation of various α-monofluoroalkyl radicals by organic photoredox catalysis: modular synthesis of ß-monofluoroketones.

A metal-free and operationally simple strategy for the generation of various α-monofluoroalkyl radicals has been developed. A combination of 1,4-bis(diarylamino)naphthalene photocatalyst and sulfoximine-based fluoroalkylating reagents is the key to success. The protocol can be applied to modular synthesis of ß-monofluoroketones through radical monofluoroalkylation of alkenyl acetates.

Laser Flash Photolysis Studies on Radical Monofluoromethylation by (Diarylamino)naphthalene Photoredox Catalysis: Long Lifetime of the Excited State is Not Always a Requisite.

Organic photoredox catalysis has become a useful tool for the development of metal-free radical reactions. Recently, we have reported that 1,4-bis(diphenylamino)naphthalene N serves as an efficient photoredox catalyst for radical monofluoromethylation with N-tosyl-S-monofluoromethyl-S-phenylsulfoximine 2. In this paper, we report the preparation and photo- and electrochemical properties of (diarylamino)naphthalene derivatives, 1,4-bis(di(p-tert-butylphenyl)amino)naphthalene 1a, 1,5-bis(di(p-tert-butylphenyl)amino)naphthalene 1b, and 1-(di(p-tert-butylphenyl)amino)naphthalene) 1c, as supported by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent-DFT calculations. In addition, their performance of photocatalysis has been evaluated by means of methoxy-monofluoromethylation of aromatic alkenes. Laser flash photolysis shows that the fluorescence of 1a in the excited state is efficiently quenched by 2 (quenching rate constant kq = ca. 2 × 109 M-1 s-1). Transient absorption spectroscopic analyses reveal that the excited species of 1a in the presence of 2 starts decreasing in ca. 100 ps, suggesting the occurrence of fast electron-transfer processes. These results lead to the unconventional concept for the catalyst design, that is, long lifetime of the excited state is not always a requisite for efficient photoredox catalysts.

Metal-free di- and tri-fluoromethylation of alkenes realized by visible-light-induced perylene photoredox catalysis.

Regioselective amino-difluoromethylation of aromatic alkenes via C(sp3)-CF2H and C(sp3)-N bond formation with the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C moiety has been achieved in a single operation by visible-light photoredox catalysis. The combination of a shelf-stable and easy-to-handle sulfonium salt, S-difluoromethyl-S-di(p-xylyl)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate, and perylene catalysis is the key to the successful transformation. Furthermore, this noble metal-free protocol allows for the photocatalytic trifluoromethylation of alkenes.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of CF3- and CF2H-Substituted Spiroethers from Aryl-Fused Cycloalkenylalkanols by Photoredox Catalysis.

Simple synthesis of CF3- and CF2H-spiroethers from aryl-fused cycloalkenylalkanols by photoredox catalysis has been developed. Modification of the fluoromethylating reagents and the photoredox catalysts leads to both CF3- and CF2H-spiroetherification. The present photocatalytic system allows us to access a variety of new anti-fluoromethylated spiroethers in a highly selective manner.

Anti-Diastereoselective Synthesis of CF3-Containing Spirooxazolines and Spirooxazines via Regiospecific Trifluoromethylative Spirocyclization by Photoredox Catalysis.

A novel synthesis of CF3-containing spirooxazolines and spirooxazines has been developed. Regiospecific trifluoromethylative spirocyclization (CF3-spirocyclization) of cyclic alkenes bearing an amide pendant mediated by photoredox catalysis is a useful strategy for construction of a C(sp(3))-CF3 bond and an spirooxazoline or spirooxazine ring onto C═C bonds via a single step. The key intermediate is α-CF3-substituted carbocationic species smoothly generated from single-electron-transfer (SET) photoredox processes, which results in diastereoselective spirocyclization. This is the first example of synthesis of CF3-containing spirooxazolines and spirooxazines in anti-fashion with respect to the CF3 group and the oxygen atom of the spirocycles.