PCET-Mediated Ring-Opening Alkenylation of Cycloalkanols via Dual Photoredox and Cobalt Catalysis.

The construction of molecular skeletons and modification of molecules using widely available and easily prepared alcohols as radical precursors for coupling reactions are significant and challenging subjects. We herein report a straightforward strategy for the dehydrogenative ring-opening alkenylation of cycloalkanols with alkenes by combining a proton-coupled electron transfer strategy and a dual photoredox and cobalt catalysis system. With this approach, a series of distally unsaturated ketones were obtained in 17-83% yields with high E selectivity.

Cobalt-catalyzed chemoselective dehydrogenation through radical translocation under visible light.

The transformations that allow the direct removal of hydrogen from their corresponding saturated counterparts by the dehydrogenative strategy are a dream reaction that has remained largely underexplored. In this report, a straightforward and robust cobaloxime-catalyzed photochemical dehydrogenation strategy via intramolecular HAT is described for the first time. The reaction proceeds through an intramolecular radical translocation followed by the cobalt assisted dehydrogenation without needing any other external photosensitizers, noble-metals or oxidants. With this approach, a series of valuable unsaturated compounds such as α,ß-unsaturated amides, enamides and allylic and homoallylic sulfonamides were obtained in moderate to excellent yields with good chemo- and regioselectivities, and the synthetic versatility was demonstrated by a range of transformations. And mechanistic studies of the method are discussed.

A Photosensitizer-Free Radical Cascade for Synthesizing CF3-Containing Polycyclic Quinazolinones with Visible Light.

Herein, we report an efficient photoinduced radical tandem trifluoromethylation/cyclization reaction of N-cyanamide alkenes for the synthesis of functionalized quinazolinones. Importantly, the reaction is carried out under mild conditions without any additional photosensitizer, metal, or extra additives. A series of trifluoromethyl quinazolinones were prepared efficiently with good yields and excellent functional group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic experiments were conducted to indicate that the transformation proceeds via a possible mechanism involving photoexcited EDA complex and chain propagation.

Photoredox/nickel dual catalyzed stereospecific synthesis of distal alkenyl ketones.

The selective C-C bond deconstruction/refunctionalization via a photoredox/nickel dual-catalyzed hydroalkylation of alkynes is developed under mild reaction conditions. In this protocol, a broad range of alkyl- and aryl-alkynes could react smoothly with cycloalkanols, affording the corresponding distal and site-specific vinyl-substituted ketones with high yields and excellent regioselectivities. Moreover, DFT calculations verified that the electron-rich behavior of aromatics and weak Brønsted bases have a common effect on the photocatalytic oxidant ring-opening of cyclobutanols.

Dehydrogenative Silylation of Alkenes for the Synthesis of Substituted Allylsilanes by Photoredox, Hydrogen-Atom Transfer, and Cobalt Catalysis.

A synergistic catalytic method combining photoredox catalysis, hydrogen-atom transfer, and proton-reduction catalysis for the dehydrogenative silylation of alkenes was developed. With this approach, a highly concise route to substituted allylsilanes has been achieved under very mild reaction conditions without using oxidants. This transformation features good to excellent yields, operational simplicity, and high atom economy. Based on control experiments, a possible reaction mechanism is proposed.

Regiospecific Three-Component Aminofluorination of Olefins via Photoredox Catalysis.

Direct visible-light-mediated aminofluorination of styrenes has been developed with high regioselectivity. Shelf-stable N-Ts-protected 1-aminopyridine salt was used as the nitrogen-radical precursor, and the commercially available hydrogen fluoride-pyridine was used as the nucleophilic fluoride source. The synthesis of an analogue of LY503430 was performed to demonstrate the synthetic value of this strategy.

Alkene functionalization for the stereospecific synthesis of substituted aziridines by visible-light photoredox catalysis.

A novel strategy involving visible-light-induced functionalization of alkenes for the synthesis of substituted aziridines was developed. The readily prepared N-protected 1-aminopyridinium salts were used for the generation of N-centered radicals. This approach allowed the synthesis of aziridines bearing various functional groups with excellent diastereoselectivity under mild conditions. Moreover, this protocol was successfully applied to prepare structurally diverse nitrogen-containing frameworks.

Photoredox-Induced Functionalization of Alkenes for the Synthesis of Substituted Imidazolines and Oxazolidines.

A one-pot, three-component cascade reaction combining photoredox catalyzed radical addition and formal [3 + 2] annulation was developed. With this approach, highly concise syntheses of imidazoline and oxazolidine derivatives have been achieved. The advantages of this transformation are good to excellent yields, mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, and easy accessibility of raw materials.