Visible‐Light Induced C( sp 3 )−H Functionalization for the Formation of C−N Bonds under Metal Catalyst‐Free Conditions

A Metal-Free Oxidative Azidation Method for Selective Azidation of C(sp3)-H Bonds and Diazidation of Alkenes

Current metal-free methods for the synthesis of alkyl (1,2-di)azides mainly rely on highly reactive hypervalent iodine reagents and electrochemical methods, which require specialized electrochemical devices. Herein, we show a robust Selectfluor-promoted oxidative azidation method, which can effectively achieve the selective azidation of C(sp3)-H bonds in alkanes/methylarenes and the diazidation of alkenes, without involving any metal catalyst and additive. The utility of this method is highlighted by the broad substrate scope, late-stage functionalization, and gram-scale synthesis. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds via a radical process.

Harnessing light without photocatalysts: advances in photocatalyst-free C-N bond formation

The present feature article focuses on recent developments in the realm of photocatalyst-free C-N bond formations, highlighting the innovative approaches that leverage light without relying on traditional photocatalysts. Exploring alternative methodologies underscores the advancements in synthetic strategies, enabling efficient and sustainable C-N bond formation reactions. The abstracted review emphasizes the significant progress made in this field, shedding light on the potential for novel and environmentally friendly pathways for chemical synthesis.

Harnessing Visible/UV Light for the Activation and/or Functionalization of C-H Bonds: Metal- and Photocatalyst-Free Approach

Photosynthesis in plants has inspired photochemical reactions in organic chemistry. Synthetic organic chemists always seek cost-effective, operationally simple, averting the use of toxic and difficult-to-remove metallic catalysts, atom economical, and high product purity in organic reactions. In the last few decades, the use of light as a catalyst in organic reactions has increased exponentially as literature has exploded with examples, particularly by using toxic and expensive metal complexes, photosensitizers like organic dyes, hypervalent iodine, or by using inorganic semiconductors. In this report, we have selected a few interesting examples of photochemical reactions performed without using any metallic catalyst or photosensitizers. These examples use the inherent potential of reactants to utilize light energy to initiate chemical reactions. Our main emphasis is to highlight the structural features in the reactants that can absorb light energy or form an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex during the reaction to initiate the photochemical reaction. Considering the high degree of variability in the photochemical reactions, the utmost care has been taken to present the most accurate reaction conditions. A short introductory section on photochemical reactions will act as an anchor that will revolve around the examples discussed and explain the underlying principle of the photochemical reaction mechanism.

Visible-Light-Promoted α-C(sp3)-H Amidation of Cyclic Ethers under Redox-Neutral Conditions

Reported herein is a visible-light-promoted strategy for the α-C(sp3)-H amidation of cyclic ethers using N-acyloxyamide as an oxidative amidating reagent. This transformation provides a straightforward approach to various α-amidated cyclic ethers under metal- and additive-free conditions. The synthetic utility of the products was demonstrated through facile transformations, including reduction, allylation, acylation, sulfonamidation, and gram-scale reactions. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest a radical/radical cross-coupling process, with C(sp3)-H bond cleavage identified as the rate-determining step.

Photocatalytic C-N bond construction toward high-value nitrogenous chemicals

The construction of carbon-nitrogen bonds is vital for producing versatile nitrogenous compounds for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Among developed synthetic approaches to nitrogenous chemicals, photocatalysis is particularly prominent and has become one of the emerging fields due to its unique advantages of eco-sustainable characteristics, efficient process integration, no need for high-pressure H2, and tunable synthesis methods for developing advanced photocatalytic materials. Here, the review focuses on potential photocatalytic protocols developed for the construction of robust carbon-nitrogen bonds in discrepant activation environments to produce high-value nitrogenous chemicals. The photocatalytic C-N bond construction strategies and involved reaction mechanisms are elucidated.

Visible-light-absorbing C-N cross-coupling for the synthesis of hydrazones involving C(sp2)-H/C(sp3)-H functionalization

An efficient C-N cross-coupling approach for the synthesis of hydrazones was developed through C(sp²)-H and C(sp³)-H functionalization of indole and methylarene under visible light irradiation using photocatalyst eosin Y, ethanol:water as a green solvent and atmospheric air as an oxidant. With the aid of eosin Y, the C-H bonds of indole and methylarenes were activated followed by coupling with arylhydrazines. The procedure was applied to a wide variety of substrates with good functional group compatibility, offering a creative way to make hydrazones from inexpensive and easily accessible raw materials. The absence of metals, low cost, environmental friendliness, green solvent, non-toxicity, ease of handling, and utilization of renewable energy sources like visible light are some of this method's primary advantages.

Photocatalyst-free visible-light triggered amination of benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole: direct C-N bond formation from C(sp2)-H bond

The photoredox amination of arene protocols mostly comprises photocatalyst-mediated transformations. Herein, we presented the photocatalyst-free, visible-light promoted, direct conversion of C(sp²)-H to C(sp²)-N method. Multipurpose benzothiadiazoles are used as model synthons and secondary amines as aminating agents. Mechanistic study reveals that the radical reaction mechanism proceeds through nitrogen-centered radical generation, followed by the addition of arenes, which was demonstrated for the present amination protocol of benzothiadiazole with secondary amines in an atom economical fashion.

Visible-Light-Mediated (sp 3)Cα-H Functionalization of Ethers Enabled by Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex

A synthetically beneficial visible-light-mediated protocol has been disclosed to achieve C-H amination of readily available feedstocks cyclic and acyclic ethers. A rarely identified N-bromosuccinamide-tetrahydrofuran electron donor-acceptor complex served as an initiator to functionalize both α-diazoketones and dialkyl azodicarboxylates. This developed methodology gives an alternative and milder way to construct the C-N bond and can be explored for the formation of C-C bond to perform arylation and allylation reactions.

Recent advances in visible light-induced C(sp3)–N bond formation

Synthetic chemists have long focused on selective C(sp ³)-N bond-forming approaches in response to the high value of this motif in natural products, pharmaceutical agents and functional materials. In recent years, visible light-induced protocols have become an important synthetic platform to promote this transformation under mild reaction conditions. These photo-driven methods rely on converting visible light into chemical energy to generate reactive but controllable radical species. This Review highlights recent advances in this area, mostly after 2014, with an emphasis placed on C(sp ³)-H bond activations, including amination of olefins and carbonyl compounds, and cross-coupling reactions.

Recent Advances in Copper-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation Involving N-Centered Radicals

C-N bonds are pervasive throughout organic-based materials, natural products, pharmaceutical compounds, and agricultural chemicals. Considering the widespread importance of C-N bonds, the development of greener and more convenient ways to form C-N bonds, especially in late-stage synthesis, has become one of the hottest research goals in synthetic chemistry. Copper-catalyzed radical reactions involving N-centered radicals have emerged as a sustainable and promising approach to build C-N bonds. As a chemically popular and diverse radical species, N-centered radicals have been used for all kinds of reactions for C-N bond formation by taking advantage of their inherently incredible reactive flexibility. Copper is also the most abundant and economic catalyst with the most relevant activity for facilitating the synthesis of valuable compounds. Therefore, the aim of the present Review was to illustrate recent and significant advances in C-N bond formation methods and to understand the unique advantages of copper catalysis in the generation of N-centered radicals since 2016. To provide an ease of understanding for the readers, this Review was organized based on the types of nitrogen sources (amines, amides, sulfonamides, oximes, hydrazones, azides, and tert-butyl nitrite).

Recent Advances in Transition-Metal-Free Late-Stage C-H and N-H Arylation of Heteroarenes Using Diaryliodonium Salts

Transition-metal-free direct arylation of C-H or N-H bonds is one of the key emerging methodologies that is currently attracting tremendous attention. Diaryliodonium salts serve as a stepping stone on the way to alternative environmentally friendly and straightforward pathways for the construction of C-C and C-heteroatom bonds. In this review, we emphasize the recent synthetic advances of late-stage C(sp2)-N and C(sp2)-C(sp2) bond-forming reactions under metal-free conditions using diaryliodonium salts as arylating reagent and its applications to the synthesis of new arylated bioactive heterocyclic compounds.

An organophotoredox-catalyzed C(sp2)-N cross coupling reaction of cyclic aldimines with cyclic aliphatic amines

An organophotocatalyzed C(sp2)-H/N-H cross-dehydrogenative coupling of cyclic aldimines with aliphatic amines has been developed, which represents the first example of visible-light-induced C-H amination of N-sulfonylated imines. This methodology enables the streamline assembly of amine derivatives via radical mediated C-N bond formation. The current protocol features transition-metal-free, mild conditions, good functional group tolerance and good yields.

Visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization of 1-(allyloxy)-2-(1-arylvinyl)benzenes with sulfonyl chlorides for the synthesis of sulfonated benzoxepines

A visible light photocatalyzed cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of 1-(allyloxy)-2-(1-arylvinyl)benzenes with sulfonyl chlorides for the construction of sulfonated benzoxepines is developed.