Decarboxylative Xanthylation under Photocatalytic Conditions.

Xanthates are widely used in organic synthesis for the construction of various molecules and have numerous applications as bioactive compounds. Here, we present their preparation via a straightforward photocatalytic decarboxylative xanthylation process involving readily available oxime esters and xanthate dimers. This approach provides access to a wide variety of xanthate compounds in moderate to good yields, including xanthates derived from relevant pharmaceutical and bioactive molecules.

Visible-Light Organic Photosensitizers Based on 2-(2-Aminophenyl)benzothiazoles for Photocycloaddition Reactions.

We have studied 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzothiazole and related derivatives for their photophysical properties in view of employing them as new and readily tunable organic photocatalysts. Their triplet energies were estimated by DFT calculations to be in the range of 52-57 kcal mol, suggesting their suitability for the [2+2] photocycloaddition of unsaturated acyl imidazoles with styrene derivatives. Experimental studies have shown that 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles comprising alkylamino groups (NHMe, NHPr) or the native amino group provide the best photocatalytic results in these visible-light mediated [2+2] reactions without the need of any additives, yielding a range of cyclobutane derivatives.

Metal-Free Decarboxylative Allylation of Oxime Esters under Light Irradiation.

Allylation reactions, often used as a key step for constructing complex molecules and drug candidates, typically rely on transition-metal (TM) catalysts. Even though TM-free radical allylations have been developed using allyl-stannanes, -sulfides, -silanes or -sulfones, much less procedures have been reported using simple and commercially available allyl halides, that are used for the preparation of the before-mentioned allyl derivatives. Here, we present a straightforward photocatalytic protocol for the decarboxylative allylation of oxime esters using allyl bromide derivatives under metal-free and mild conditions.

Photocatalyzed Amination of Alkyl Halides to Access Primary Amines.

We demonstrate that oxime ester derivatives can be used as both a halogen atom transfer (XAT) agent and an imine source under photocatalytic conditions, allowing the radical amination of alkyl halides, resulting in the formation of a broad scope of imines. Hydrolysis of the latter gives direct access to the corresponding primary amines. Mechanistically, the reaction is believed to proceed through the formation of aryl radical intermediates, which are responsible for the activation of alkyl halides via XAT.

Photo-Induced Halogen-Atom Transfer: Generation of Halide Radicals for Selective Hydrohalogenation Reactions.

The first photo-mediated process enabling the generation of halide radicals by Halogen-Atom Transfer (XAT) is described. Contrary to radical transformations involving XAT reactivity, which exploit stable carbon radicals, this unique approach uses 1,2-dihaloethanes for the generation of unstable carbon radicals by XAT. These transient radicals then undergo β-scission with release of ethylene and formation of more stable halide radicals which have been used in selective hydrohalogenations of a large number of unsaturated hydrocarbons, including Michael acceptors, unactivated alkenes and alkynes.

Visible-Light Decatungstate/Disulfide Dual Catalysis for the Hydro-Functionalization of Styrenes.

We describe an efficient photoredox system, relying on decatungstate/disulfide catalysts, for the hydrofunctionalization of styrenes. In this methodology the use of disulfide as a cocatalyst was shown to be crucial for the reaction efficiency. This photoredox system was employed for the hydro-carbamoylation, -acylation, -alkylation, and -silylation of styrenes, giving access to a large variety of useful building blocks and high-value molecules such as amides and unsymmetrical ketones from simple starting materials.

Radical-Based C-C Bond-Forming Processes Enabled by the Photoexcitation of 4-Alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines.

We report herein that 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (alkyl-DHPs) can directly reach an electronically excited state upon light absorption and trigger the generation of C(sp )-centered radicals without the need for an external photocatalyst. Selective excitation with a violet-light-emitting diode turns alkyl-DHPs into strong reducing agents that can activate reagents through single-electron transfer manifolds while undergoing homolytic cleavage to generate radicals. We used this photochemical dual-reactivity profile to trigger radical-based carbon-carbon bond-forming processes, including nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Tandem C-H Fluoromethylation/Cyclization of N-Alkylhydrazones with CBrF: Access to 4-Fluoropyrazoles.

4-Fluoropyrazoles are accessible in a single step from readily available aldehyde-derived N-alkylhydrazones through double C-H fluoroalkylation with tribromofluoromethane (CBrF). RuCl(PPh) has been proven to be the most efficient catalyst for this transformation when compared to a range of other Cu-, Pd-, or Fe-based catalyst systems.

Palladium-Catalyzed C(sp(2))-H Alkylation of Aldehyde-Derived Hydrazones with Functionalized Difluoromethyl Bromides.

A palladium-catalyzed C(sp(2))-H difluoromethylation of aldehyde-derived hydrazones using bromodifluoromethylated compounds to afford the corresponding functionalized difluoromethylketone hydrazones has been established. It is proposed that a radical/SET mechanism proceeding via a difluoroalkyl radical may be involved in the catalytic cycle. Applications of the methodology to the synthesis of α,α-difluoro-β-ketoesters and α,α-difluoroketones (RCOCF2 H) have been illustrated.

Electrophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds and their nitrogen derivatives under copper catalysis.

Recent advances in electrophilic trifluoromethylation reactions of carbonyl compounds and their usual surrogates are highlighted with particular focus on copper-catalysed (or mediated) C-CF3 bond forming reactions. Ketones and aldehydes (notably via their enol ether and enamine derivatives) enable electrophilic trifluoromethylation at the α-carbon of the carbonyl compounds, whereas aldehyde N,N-disubstituted hydrazones undergo electrophilic attack of the cationic or radical CF3 species at the azomethine carbon, thus providing an umpolung alternative to nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds. A reversal in reactivity is also observed for conjugated systems.

Copper-catalyzed β-trifluoromethylation of conjugated hydrazones.

The Cu-catalyzed direct β-trifluoromethylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde N,N-dibenzylhydrazones with Togni hypervalent iodine reagent is described. The reaction yields stereodefined CF3-alkenyl derivatives under mild conditions and is proposed to proceed via a radical process.