Cyclic Diaryl λ3-Bromanes as a Precursor for Regiodivergent Alkynylation Reactions.

Regiodivergent reactions are a fascinating tool to rapidly access molecular diversity while using identical coupling partners. We have developed a new approach for regiodivergent synthesis using the dual character of hypervalent bromines. In addition to the recently reported reactivity of hypervalent bromines as aryne precursors, the first transition metal-catalyzed reaction is reported. Accordingly, the development of these two complementary transformations allows for the alteration of regioselectivity to furnish both ortho- and meta-substituted alkynylation products. Mechanistic and computational studies show how these selectivities are controlled.

Spotlight on Photoinduced Aryl Migration Reactions.

Rearrangement reactions are certainly one of the most useful approaches towards complex structures in organic chemistry. With efficient conditions, it is indeed possible to convert simple substrates into highly functionalized products. Moreover, combining this approach with an attractive initiation process, such as visible-light catalysis, makes these reactions particularly powerful. Recently, tremendous improvements have been made, owing to a better understanding of photoredox mechanisms. In this review, recent progress on visible-light aryl migration reactions is discussed, focusing especially on Smiles rearrangement and related reactions.

Light-Enabled Radical 1,4-Aryl Migration Via a Phospho-Smiles Rearrangement.

Rearrangement reactions in organic chemistry are attractive strategies to build efficiently complex scaffolds, in just one step, from simple starting materials. Among them, aryl migrations are certainly one of the most useful and straightforward rearrangement for building attractive carbon-carbon bonds. Of note, anionic aryl migration reactions have been largely described compared to their radical counterparts. Recently, visible-light catalysis has proven its efficiency to generate such radical rearrangements due to the concomitant loss of a particle (often CO2 or SO2), which is the driving-force of the reaction. Here, we disclose a Smiles-type rearrangement, triggered by a phosphorus-containing unit (arylphosphoramidate), therefore called "phospho-Smiles" rearrangement, allowing a Csp2-Csp2 bond formation thanks to a 1,4-aryl migration reaction. In addition, combining this approach with a radical hydroamination/amination reaction produces an amination/phospho-Smiles cascade particularly attractive, for instance, to investigate the synthesis of the phthalazine core, a scarcely described scaffold of interest for medicinal chemistry projects.

Silver-catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization/hydroarylation reactions and mechanistic investigations for an efficient access to 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines.

An efficient silver-catalyzed tandem reaction for the formation of 1,2-dihydroisoquinoline derivatives is herein reported. Highly functionalized multiheterocyclic scaffolds are accessible in a straightforward manner using readily accessible starting materials under mild conditions. This methodology offers an attractive route for the synthesis and development of a biologically relevant new heterocyclic pharmacophore, merging the biological activities of isoquinolines with those of various nitrogen-containing heterocycles (indoles, pyrroles) incorporated during the tandem reaction. Mechanistic investigations were also conducted along with a large scope and limitation study, modifying various sites of this pharmacophore.

Easy access to polyhalogenated biaryls: regioselective (di)halogenation of hypervalent bromines and chlorines.

Polyhalogenated biaryls are unique motifs offering untapped potential as versatile building blocks for the expedient synthesis of complex biaryl compounds. Overcoming the limitations of conventional syntheses, we introduce a novel, metal-free, operationally simple and one-pot approach to regioselectively (di)halogenate biaryl compounds under mild conditions using cyclic biaryl hypervalent bromine and chlorine substrates as masked arynes. Through chemoselective post-functionalizations, these valuable products can expand the toolbox for synthesizing biaryl-containing scaffolds, addressing a critical gap in the field.

Photoredox synthesis of 6- and 7-membered ring scaffolds via N-centered radicals.

N-Containing heterocycles are important scaffolds due to their ubiquitous presence in bioactive compounds. Their synthesis has been considered as an important research field. In this work we report the access to 6- and 7-membered rings via a photoinduced strategy. To our knowledge, this work represents the first exemple of photo-induced 7-endo-trig cyclization with N-centered radicals.

Cyclic Diaryl λ3-Bromanes: A Rapid Access to Molecular Complexity via Cycloaddition Reactions.

Biaryls have widespread applications in organic synthesis. However, sequentially polysubstituted biaryls are underdeveloped due to their challenging preparation. Herein, we report the synthesis of dissymetric 2,3,2',3',4-substituted biaryls via pericyclic reactions of cyclic diaryl λ3-bromanes. The functional groups tolerance and atom economy allow access to molecular complexity in a single reaction step. Continuous flow protocol has been designed for the scale-up of the reaction, while postfunctionalizations have been developed taking advantage of the residual Br-atom.