Application of Langlois’ reagent (NaSO2CF3) in C–H functionalisation

Visible-Light-Induced Trifluoromethyl Radical Addition to Thiocarbonyl of Thioamide Derivatives

An effective trifluoromethyl radical addition to the thiocarbonyl of thioamide derivatives is described, which produces various trifluoromethylthiolated N-heterocycles such as 6-(trifluoromethylthio)phenanthridine, 2-(trifluoromethylthio)indole, and 2-(trifluoromethylthio)benzothiazole derivatives under visible-light irradiation. The process features advantages such as mild reaction conditions, a cheap and easily available trifluoromethyl source (CF3Br), and green energy, as well as broad substrate scope. The reaction mechanism is investigated in detail, and scale-up experiments are performed.

Visible-Light-Induced Divergent C-H Esterification/Alkylation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with Aldehydes under Mild Conditions

Herein, we introduce an efficient and straightforward strategy for the selective C-H esterification and alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with aldehydes. A key feature of our study is the ability to perform both C-H esterification and alkylation using different types of aldehydes. The reaction system is highly compatible with a range of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and aldehydes, yielding C3-esterified and C3-alkylated products in moderate-to-good yields. The applicability of this approach is further enhanced by its scalability through continuous-flow synthesis, late-stage modification of significant molecules, and product derivatization. Our mechanistic investigations reveal a radical relay mechanism, triggered by a hydrogen atom transfer process.

TBHP-Promoted Trifluoromethyl-difluoromethylthiolation of Unactivated Alkenes with CF3SO2Na and PhSO2SCF2H

A TBHP-promoted trifluoromethyl-difluoromethylthiolation of alkenes was reported. Langlois' reagent was used as a stable and inexpensive trifluoromethyl source. In the presence of TBHP, the trifluoromethyl radical generated reacted with alkenes, achieving a new alkyl radical, which could be trapped by PhSO2SCF2H, forming C-C and C-S bonds in one step and incorporating trifluoromethyl and difluoromethylthio groups. The mild conditions and broad functional group tolerance endowed the reaction with great potential in the field of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.

An Intramolecular Minisci Reaction in Aqueous Media Using Langlois' Reagent

A trifluoromethylpyridylation of unactivated alkenes in aqueous solution under open air is reported. This process allows the incorporation of trifluoromethyl and the construction of pyridines annulated to saturated cycles via an intramolecular Minisci reaction using Langlois' reagent (CF3SO2Na) as a trifluoromethyl source. Extrusion of air from the reaction is not required. A broad functional group tolerance is observed. A series of five-, six-, and seven-membered cycles are obtained, exhibiting great potential application in the preparation of diversified pyridines.

Visible-Light-Mediated Nucleophilic Addition of Alkene with Aldehyde: Synthesis of Secondary Alcohols

Herein, a photocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of secondary alcohols by nucleophilic addition of an alkene with an aldehyde is described. This operationally simple methodology opens an approach for the synthesis of alcohols using commercially available reagents in moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies indicate that the formation of the radical anion from alkene via single-electron transfer is the key step in this reaction.

Photocatalytic Cyclization Cascades by Radical Relay toward Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles: Synthesis, Mechanism, and Application

A photocatalytic annulation cascade of unactivated N-alkene-linked indoles with Langlois' reagent by a radical relay is developed at room temperature under blue LED irradiation. The reaction afforded a series of tri/difluoromethylated pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles in moderate to good yields. The DFT study suggests that the reaction is ascribed to a rhodamine 6G-induced cyclization cascade involving vinyl addition-radical relay and hydrogen-atom-abstraction (HAA) processes, and interestingly, pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles are applied as fluorescent dyes into the fluorescence spectrum and live-cell imaging. This paper represents an initial example on photocatalytic cyclization cascades by radical relay and the HAA process.

Visible-Light-Induced DDQ-Catalyzed Fluorocarbamoylation Using CF3SO2Na and Oxygen

The synthesis of carbamoyl fluorides via visible-light induced DDQ catalysis of secondary amines is described. This protocol employs sodium trifluorosulfinate and molecular oxygen for the in situ generation of carbonyl difluoride, which is reacted with amines to afford the corresponding carbamoyl fluorides efficiently. Moreover, carbamoyl fluorides are easily transformed to synthetically useful carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions.

Visible-Light-Irradiated Multicomponent Reactions of Aliphatic Amines, Propiolate Acid Esters, and CF3 SO2 Na for Accessing β-CF3 Enamines

A novel one-pot two-step multicomponent reaction has been achieved for the preparation of β-CF3 enamines by using different aliphatic amines, propiolates, and CF3 SO2 Na as starting material. In this protocol, various aliphatic amines including primary amines, cyclic or acyclic secondary amines were demonstrated to be good coupling partners, and different β-CF3 enamines were obtained in moderate to good yields. Among them, the primary aliphatic amines only gave pure (E)-β-CF3 enamines as products. The synthetic utility of the MCRs strategy was further demonstrated by mild conditions, gram-scale synthesis and natural sunlight-induced protocol. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that this trifluoromethylation of C(sp2 )-H involves radical process.

Photoelectrocatalyzed undirected C-H trifluoromethylation of arenes: catalyst evaluation and scope

During the last few years, photoelectrocatalysis has evolved as an increasingly viable tool for molecular synthesis. Despite several recent reports on the undirected C-H functionalization of arenes, thus far, a detailed comparison of different catalysts is still missing. To address this, more than a dozen different mediators were employed in the trifluoromethylation of (hetero-)arenes to compare them in their efficacies.

Electrochemical or Photoelectrochemical Alkenylpolyfluoroalkylation of 3-Aza-1,5-dienes: Regioselective Entry to Polyfluoroalkylated 4-Pyrrolin-2-ones

An electrochemical or photoelectrochemical regioselective polyfluoroalkylation/cyclization cascade of 3-aza-1,5-dienes with sodium fluoroalkanesulfinates is presented. This protocol proceeds with a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance under mild, oxidant-free, transition-metal-free, and electrolyte-free conditions to provide 3-polyfluoroalkylated 4-pyrrolin-2-ones in one step from readily available N-vinylacrylamides, and it is readily scalable to the Gram scale.

Mechanochemical arylative detrifluoromethylation of trifluoromethylarenes

The stoichiometric defluorinative functionalization of ArCF3 is a conceptually appealing research target. It enables the challenging late-stage functionalization of CF3-containing aromatic molecules and contributes to the remedy of environmental risks resulting from the accumulation of relatively inert ArCF3-containing molecules. Similarly, Ar-CN bond features limit their utilization in cross-coupling reactions. Thus, the employment of benzonitriles in decyanative Suzuki-Miyaura type coupling remains in high demand in the field of C-C bond formation. Herein, we report mechanochemically induced and ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3)-mediated defluorinative cyanation of trifluoromethylarenes. In addition, we describe a facile mechanochemically facilitated and nickel-catalyzed decyanative arylation of benzonitriles to access biphenyls. Combining both processes in a one-pot multicomponent protocol to achieve a concise direct arylative detrifluoromethylation of ArCF3 is described herein. This work is the first hitherto realization of C-C coupling with CF3 as a formal leaving group.

Mn-Mediated Direct Regioselective C-H Trifluoromethylation of Imidazopyridines and Quinoxalines

A simple and highly efficient strategy has been developed for direct C-H trifluoromethylation at C-3 of imidazopyridines and C-8 of quinoxalines with readily available Langlois reagent through KMnO₄/AcOH system. This protocol showed broad substrate scope and afforded moderate-to-excellent yields of both products. It is the first report that the functionalization of quinoxalines occurred regioselectively at the C-8 position of quinoxalines. Mechanistic studies revealed that reaction proceeded via radical pathway.

α-Amino Radical-Mediated Difunctionalization of Alkenes with Polyhaloalkanes and N-Heteroarenes

Herein, we report a mild and practical protocol for the α-perchloroalkyl β-heteroarylation of alkenes using available chloroform as the dichloromethyl source via α-amino radical-mediated halogen-atom transfer. Various substrates are compatible under mild reaction conditions, providing the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. This strategy gives an efficient and convenient method for the introduction of chloroalkyl motifs into N-heteroarenes. The control experiment demonstrates that the α-amino radical generated in situ is a key intermediate in the transformation.

Recent advances in the application of Langlois' reagent in olefin difunctionalization

In this review, we summarise the recent applications of Langlois' reagent in the radical-mediated difunctionalization of alkenes. Among the various trifluoromethylation reagents, Langlois' reagent is an exceptional compound, and many important organic transformations have been realized by employing such reagents. Various organic transformations of Langlois' reagent, especially in radical chemistry, have been developed in recent years. This review describes several key activation methods for Langlois' reagent in the difunctionalization of alkenes by showcasing selected cornerstone research areas and related mechanisms to stimulate the interest of readers in promoting the wider development and application of Langlois' reagent.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of β-CF3-Enones with Quinoline N-Oxides

The site-selective incorporation of a trifluoromethyl group into biologically active molecules and pharmaceuticals has emerged as a central topic in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Herein, we demonstrate the rhodium(III)-catalyzed conjugate addition of β-trifluoromethylated enones with quinoline N-oxides, which result in the generation of β-trifluoromethyl-β'-quinolinated ketones. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions with complete functional group tolerance. The synthetic applicability was showcased by successful gram-scale experiments and valuable synthetic transformations of coupling products.

Fe-catalyzed hydroxytrifluoromethylation of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with CF3SO2Na: facile access to α,β-bistrifluoromethyl tertiary alcohols

A mild and practical Fe-catalyzed hydroxytrifluoromethylation of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with CF₃SO₂Na in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ and air was developed. The reaction proceeded efficiently at room temperature without β-fluoride elimination and afforded the corresponding α,β-bistrifluoromethyl tertiary alcohols in good to excellent yields.

Visible Light Promotes Cascade Trifluoromethylation/Cyclization, Leading to Trifluoromethylated Polycyclic Quinazolinones, Benzimidazoles and Indoles

Efficient visible-light-induced radical cascade trifluoromethylation/cyclization of inactivated alkenes with CF₃Br, which is a nonhygroscopic, noncorrosive, cheap and industrially abundant chemical, was developed in this work, producing trifluoromethyl polycyclic quinazolinones, benzimidazoles and indoles under mild reaction conditions. The method features wide functional group compatibility and a broad substrate scope, offering a facile strategy to pharmaceutically produce valuable CF₃-containing polycyclic aza-heterocycles.

Visible-Light-Promoted Transition-Metal-Free Construction of 3-Perfluoroalkylated Thioflavones

A visible-light-promoted transition-metal-free perfluoroalkylation/cyclization reaction was developed with 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium perchlorate (Acr⁺-Mes·ClO₄⁻) as the photocatalyst, by which various perfluoroalkyl-substituted heterocycles including thioflavones, oxindoles, and quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones were prepared at room temperature. Moreover, the potential of this sustainable method is demonstrated by the excellent in vitro anti-lymphoma and cervical carcinoma activity of the novel 3-perfluoroalkylated thioflavone 3m.

Selective Mono- and Diamination of Ketones in a Combined Copper-Organocatalyst System

Herein, we report a simple and mild protocol for the chemoselective mono- and diamination of ketone using pyrazole as the amine source in a combined copper-organocatalyst system. Various substrates are compatible, providing the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. This strategy gives an efficient and convenient solution for the synthesis of α-pyrazole and α,α-dipyrazole ketone derivatives. The control experiment demonstrates that in situ generated hydrazone is a key intermediate in the transformation.

α-Functionalization of ketones promoted by sunlight and heterogeneous catalysis in the aqueous phase

Herein, a protocol that combines heterogeneous catalysis and solar photocatalysis for the regioselective α-substitution of asymmetric ketones with quinoxalinones has been reported. The result indicates that the reaction is more likely to occur on the α-carbon. This strategy provides a green and efficient way for the α-functionalization of ketones. A singlet oxygen involved mechanism is suggested for the transformation.

Organic-acid catalysed Minisci-type arylation of heterocycles with aryl acyl peroxides

A metal-free method for the Minisci-type arylation of heterocycles with aryl acyl peroxides has been reported. This strategy enables the rapid and simple synthesis of a series of Minisci-type adducts...

Decatungstate-Photocatalyzed Direct Coupling of Inert Alkanes and Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with H2 Evolution

A tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT)-photocatalyzed direct coupling of inert alkanes and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with H2 evolution was developed at room temperature. The present transformation achieved the direct C(sp3)-H/C(sp2)-H coupling under noble metal-free,...

Photocatalyst-, metal- and additive-free, regioselective radical cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of benzimidazoles derivatives with sulfonyl chlorides induced by visible light

Herein, an environmental and practical protocol for the visible-light-triggered regioselective radical cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of unactivated alkenes towards synthesis of polycyclic benzimidazoles containing sulfone group has been developed. Notably, the control...

Visible-light-mediated decarboxylative alkylation of 2-pyridone derivatives via a C3-selective C-H functionalization

A direct C-H functionalization approach to access C3-alkylated 2-pyridone derivatives is reported. This study utilizes N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters of various carboxylic acids as sources of alkyl radicals by reductive cleavage under photocatalytic reaction conditions. The carbon-carbon bond formation occurred site-selectively at C3 of 2-pyridone to give the desired products in moderate to good yields. This method enables a faster access to C3-alkylated pyridone compounds which can be applied to the synthesis of small molecule drugs.

Copper-catalyzed selective oxidation of hydrazones through C(sp3)-H functionalization

A simple and mild protocol for copper-catalyzed oxidation of hydrazones at the α-position has been reported. Various substrates are compatible, providing the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. This strategy provides an efficient and convenient solution for the synthesis of carbonyl hydrazone. A free radical pathway mechanism is suggested for the transformation.