Coupling without Coupling Reactions: En Route to Developing Phenols as Sustainable Coupling Partners via Dearomatization-Rearomatization Processes

Pd-Catalyzed Synthesis of Acyclic 1,2-Dioxygenated Dienes and Their Regioselective Decarboxylative Diels-Alder Cycloaddition/Aromatization Reactions to Access Multisubstituted Phenols

A Pd-catalyzed protocol that provides efficient access to acyclic 1,2-dioxygenated dienes has been established. The installation of the bifunctional carbonate electrofuge to the diene cores enabled such dienes to undergo a regioselective decarboxylative Diels-Alder cycloaddition/aromatization reaction, affording diverse synthetic challenging multisubstituted phenols with ease.

Production of polysubstituted pyrroles from lignin β-O-4 models via a one-pot multicomponent reaction

The synthesis of N-bearing heterocyclic chemicals from renewable lignin remains a huge challenge due to the intricate lignin internal structure as well as the cover of multi-step process, generally involving the breakage of lignin CO or CC bonds and the generation of CN bonds and N-heterocyclic ring. Herein, a general synthesis of pyrroles from lignin β-O-4 segments, amines, and vicinal diols via ruthenium-catalyzed three-component reaction has been provided. Mechanistic studies indicate the transformation includes highly-coupled cascade steps of catalytic dehydrogenation, CN and CC bond formations, as well as two dehydration reactions. Through our protocol a variety of functionalized pyrroles were developed from lignin β-O-4 models, showing the potential of biomass in pharmaceutical synthesis field.

An Enzymatic Platform for Aniline Synthesis Through Oxidative Amination

Aniline motifs are commonly found in natural products and synthetic molecules. While chemists have developed numerous methods for constructing C(sp2)─N bonds, their biocatalytic counterparts in nature are primarily limited to P450-based protein machineries. To address this limitation, we developed a biocatalytic platform for aniline synthesis based on oxidative amination of cyclohexanones. Through directed evolution of a flavin-dependent enzyme PtOYE, we identified several protein catalysts (e.g., OYE_G3 and OYE_M3) that exhibited activity across a broad array of substrates, enabling the preparation of 40 different secondary and tertiary anilines with various substitution patterns in up to 91% GC conversion. Mechanistic investigations revealed the improved kinetic performance of the evolved variants on the desaturation of imines. Additionally, mutations introduced through protein engineering further reduced the propensity for phenol formation. This enzymatic platform represents a highly promising application of flavin-dependent enzymes, showcasing their great potential in organic synthesis and drug development.

Modulating π-bridge in donor-π-acceptor covalent organic frameworks for low-energy-light-driven photocatalytic reaction

Most of the photocatalytic reactions are currently driven by high-energy light (UV, blue light), which inevitably leads to side reactions and co-catalyst deactivation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prepare novel photocatalysts with low-energy photocatalytic properties. Herein, we report a rational molecular design of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) equipped with donor-π-acceptor systems with different π-bridges (aromatic ring, mono- and bis-alkynyl). It was found that the COF with mono-alkynes as a π-bridge (TP-EDAE) can accelerate the rapid carrier migration even under low-energy light compared to the other two types of π-bridges (aromatic ring and bis-alkynyl), which was conducive to the photocatalytic redox reactions. As a result, the TP-EDAE samples showed high CO coupling activity and good substrate versatility under both high-energy light (blue light) and low-energy light (green light), especially the TP-EDAE samples displayed high stability with no obvious activity decay within five cycles under low-energy light. This work highlights the fundamental molecular design of advanced functionalized COFs with specific π-bridges for photocatalytic organic reactions under low-energy light.

A deoxyfluoroalkylation-aromatization strategy to access fluoroalkyl arenes

Fluoroalkyl arenes (Ar-RF) are valuable substructures present in several FDA-approved drugs, patents, agrochemicals, and materials, and complementary strategies that enable access to a broad spectrum of Ar-RF compounds benefit these applied fields. Herein, we report a deoxyfluoroalkylation-aromatization strategy to convert cyclohexanones into broad-spectrum Ar-RF containing compounds. Generally, the fluoroalkyl sources were activated to participate in a 1,2-addition reaction followed by aromatization in a sequence that contrasts more common preparations of these Ar-RF compounds, such as (i) transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl electrophiles and nucleophiles, and (ii) radical fluoroalkylation reactions of C-H bonds of arenes. Considering the range of cyclohexanone-derived substrates that could be prepared and used, this strategy can be creatively employed to deliver a broad spectrum of highly substituted fluoroalkyl arenes.

Formal Transformation of Benzylic Carboxylic Acids to Phenols

Phenols play a crucial role as core structural motifs in natural products and also serve as fundamental building blocks in synthetic chemistry. Apart from the known protocols for the conversion of aryl precursors to phenols (i. e., decarboxylative oxygenation), we report here the efficient synthesis of phenols from the stable and readily available benzylic carboxylic acids under mild reaction conditions. The photocatalytic conversion of carboxylic acids to peroxides is a crucial step in this strategy, allowing the subsequent C-O bond formation via Hock rearrangement.

Ene-Reductase-Catalyzed Aromatization of Simple Cyclohexanones to Phenols

Direct aromatization of cyclohexanones to synthesize substituted phenols represents a significant challenge in modern synthetic chemistry. Herein, we describe a novel ene-reductase (TsER) catalytic system that converts substituted cyclohexanones into the corresponding phenols. This process involves the successive dehydrogenation of two saturated carbon-carbon bonds within the six-membered ring of cyclohexanones and utilizes molecular oxygen to drive the reaction cycle. It demonstrates a versatile and efficient approach for the synthesis of substituted phenols, providing a valuable complement to existing chemical methodologies.

Synthesis of 2-benzyl N-substituted anilines via imine condensation-isoaromatization of (E)-2-arylidene-3-cyclohexenones and primary amines

A catalyst- and additive-free synthesis of 2-benzyl N-substituted anilines from (E)-2-arylidene-3-cyclohexenones and primary amines has been reported. The reaction proceeds smoothly through a sequential imine condensation-isoaromatization pathway, affording a series of synthetically useful aniline derivatives in acceptable to high yields. Mild reaction conditions, no requirement of metal catalysts, operational simplicity and the potential for scale-up production are some of the highlighted advantages of this transformation.

Tandem dehydrogenation-olefination-decarboxylation of cycloalkyl carboxylic acids via multifold C-H activation

Dehydrogenation chemistry has long been established as a fundamental aspect of organic synthesis, commonly encountered in carbonyl compounds. Transition metal catalysis revolutionized it, with strategies like transfer-dehydrogenation, single electron transfer and C-H activation. These approaches, extended to multiple dehydrogenations, can lead to aromatization. Dehydrogenative transformations of aliphatic carboxylic acids pose challenges, yet engineered ligands and metal catalysis can initiate dehydrogenation via C-H activation, though outcomes vary based on substrate structures. Herein, we have developed a catalytic system enabling cyclohexane carboxylic acids to undergo multifold C-H activation to furnish olefinated arenes, bypassing lactone formation. This showcases unique reactivity in aliphatic carboxylic acids, involving tandem dehydrogenation-olefination-decarboxylation-aromatization sequences, validated by control experiments and key intermediate isolation. For cyclopentane carboxylic acids, reluctant to aromatization, the catalytic system facilitates controlled dehydrogenation, providing difunctionalized cyclopentenes through tandem dehydrogenation-olefination-decarboxylation-allylic acyloxylation sequences. This transformation expands carboxylic acids into diverse molecular entities with wide applications, underscoring its importance.

Ruthenium/η5-Phenoxo-Catalyzed Amination of Phenols with Amines

Ruthenium(II) complexes are known to form η6-arene complexes with benzene-containing compounds through π-coordination, a property extensively utilized to initiate reactions not typically observed with free arenes. A prime example is nucleophilic aromatic substitution, where ruthenium-complexed aryl halides undergo nucleophilic attack, allowing the direct synthesis of diverse aromatic compounds by displacing halides with nucleophiles. However, this activation relies on the electron-withdrawing effect of the Ru(II) species, as well as is hindered by the resistance of η6-arenes to arene exchange. In the previous pursuit of catalysis, the emphasis of ligand design has centered on promoting arene exchange. In this study, we extended the ruthenium activation strategy to umpolung substitution reactions of phenols. The amination proceeds through a direct condensation between phenols and amines, with a key intermediate identified as [bis(η5-phenoxo)Ru], which is in situ generated from a commercially available ruthenium catalyst. In comparison with the well-studied cyclopentadienyl (Cp) type ligands, we demonstrated that an η5-phenoxo motif, as a superior alternative to Cp, contributes to the amination of phenols in two crucial ways: its less electron-donating nature enhances the withdrawing effect of the ruthenium unit, facilitating substitution on the phenol complex; its distinctive behavior in arene exchange allows for conducting the amination with a catalytic amount of metal. Additionally, hydrogen bonding, wherein the phenoxo serves as the acceptor, was found to be important for the substitution. The versatility of this ruthenium-catalyzed amination was validated by performing reactions with a diverse array of phenols exhibiting various electronic properties, in combination with a wide range of primary amines. This work exemplifies the expansion of the scope of π-coordination activation in catalysis through innovative ligand development.

Dearomatization drives complexity generation in freshwater organic matter

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the most complex, dynamic and abundant sources of organic carbon, but its chemical reactivity remains uncertain1-3. Greater insights into DOM structural features could facilitate understanding its synthesis, turnover and processing in the global carbon cycle4,5. Here we use complementary multiplicity-edited 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra to quantify key substructures assembling the carbon skeletons of DOM from four main Amazon rivers and two mid-size Swedish boreal lakes. We find that one type of reaction mechanism, oxidative dearomatization (ODA), widely used in organic synthetic chemistry to create natural product scaffolds6-10, is probably a key driver for generating structural diversity during processing of DOM that are rich in suitable polyphenolic precursor molecules. Our data suggest a high abundance of tetrahedral quaternary carbons bound to one oxygen and three carbon atoms (OCqC3 units). These units are rare in common biomolecules but could be readily produced by ODA of lignin-derived and tannin-derived polyphenols. Tautomerization of (poly)phenols by ODA creates non-planar cyclohexadienones, which are subject to immediate and parallel cycloadditions. This combination leads to a proliferation of structural diversity of DOM compounds from early stages of DOM processing, with an increase in oxygenated aliphatic structures. Overall, we propose that ODA is a key reaction mechanism for complexity acceleration in the processing of DOM molecules, creation of new oxygenated aliphatic molecules and that it could be prevalent in nature.

Aniline Derivatives from Lignin under Mild Conditions Enabled by Electrochemistry

The development of environmentally friendly methods for the valorization of important phenolic platform chemicals originating directly from lignin-first depolymerization into value-added N-chemicals, such as aniline derivatives, is of high industrial interest. In this work, we tackle this challenging transformation by the judicious combination of electrochemical conversion and chemical functionalization steps. In the first step, lignin-derived para-substituted guaiacols and syringols undergo an atom-efficient, room-temperature anodic oxidation using methanol both as solvent and reagent towards the formation of the corresponding cyclohexadienone derivatives, which are subsequently converted to synthetically challenging ortho-methoxy substituted anilines by reaction with ethyl glycinate hydrochloride under mild conditions. The developed method was applied to crude lignin depolymerization bio-oils, derived from reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) mediated either by copper-doped porous metal oxide (Cu20 PMO) or Ru/C, allowing the selective production of 4-propanol-2-methoxyaniline (1Gb) and 4-propyl-2-methoxyaniline (2Gb), respectively, from pine lignocellulose. Finally, the application of 2Gb was further studied in the synthesis of carbazole 2Gc, a lignin-derived analogue of biologically active alkaloid murrayafoline A.

Regioselective synthesis of indazolo[2,3-a]quinazolines enabled by I2/S-facilitated annulation relay dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones

A method for concise and efficient synthesis of indazolo[2,3-a]quinazolines has been developed via a sequential annulation of 3-aminoindazoles and dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones. This high regioselectivity is attributed to the fact that the Mannich reaction is superior to the aldol reaction in this system. It is worth mentioning that this convenient process is successfully extended to 3-aminopyrazoles for assembling another class of medicinally prevalent pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolines.

Synthesis of 2,6-Dimethoxy-p-aminophenol from Hardwood Lignin

Although the multiple functional groups in biomass offer notable chances for producing high-value chemicals, most of the current studies focused on the (deep) defunctionalization of biomass and its derivates. Herein, we present a catalytic approach to valorize birch wood lignin with maintaining the methoxy and hydroxy groups in the final product (i. e., 2,6-dimethoxy-p-aminophenol), which has applications in different sectors such as pharmaceuticals. The proved approach involves four steps with a high yield (19.8 wt % on the basis of used lignin) to 2,6-dimethoxy-p-aminophenol. The native lignin in birch wood was first converted using alkaline aerobic oxidation in the presence of copper ions toward high-yield syringaldehyde, which was then selectively oxidized toward 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone using H2 O2 and V2 O5 . Oximation of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone can selectively form 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone-4-oxime, which can be quantitatively hydrogenated toward 2,6-dimethoxy-p-aminophenol. This work highlights the unique potential of biomass and its derivates for the sustainable production of high-value products with exploring the value of inherent functional groups.

Photoinduced Biomimetic Room-Temperature C-O Bond Cleavage over Mn Doped CdS

Selective C-O bond cleavage is an efficient way for the biomass valorization to value-added chemicals, but is challenged to be operated at room temperature via conventional thermal catalysis. Herein, inspired from the DNA biosynthesis which involves a radical-mediated spin-center shift (SCS) C-O bond cleavage process, we report a biomimetic room-temperature C-O bond cleavage of vicinal diol (HOCHCH-OH). We construct a Mn doped CdS (Mn/CdS) as a photocatalyst to mimic the biologic SCS process. The Mn site plays pivotal role: (1) accelerates the photo-induced carrier separation, promoting the hole-mediated C-H bond cleavage to generate carbon-centered radicals, and (2) serves as the binding site for -OH groups, making it to be an easier leaving group. Mn/CdS achieves 0.28 mmol gcat -1  h-1 of hydroxyacetone (HA) from glycerol dehydration at room temperature under visible light irradiation, which is 3.5-fold that over pristine CdS and 40-fold that over bulk MnS/CdS. This study provides a new biomimetic room-temperature C-O bond cleavage process, which is promising for the biomass valorization.

Aerobic oxidative C-H phosphorylation of quinoxalines under catalyst-free conditions

We herein report a direct and efficient protocol for phosphorylation of quinoxalines, which employs aerobic oxygen as the green oxidant under catalyst-free conditions. This methodology represents one of the most environmentally friendly and easily handled protocols, providing a series of phosphorylated quinoxalines in good to excellent yields. Control experiments clearly indicated that the reaction followed a dearomatization-rearomatization strategy.

Dehydroaromatization of Indolines and Cyclohexanones with Thiol Access to Aryl Sulfides under Basic Conditions

Aryl sulfides are common and ubiquitous motifs in natural products and pharmaceuticals. Presented herein is the first example of the synthesis of diaryl sulfide derivatives via dehydroaromatization under simple basic conditions. Dehydroaromatization reactions between indolines or cyclohexanones with aryl thiols are performed in an environmentally benign manner by the use of air (molecular oxygen) as the oxidant, with producing water as the only byproduct. The methodology provides a simple and practical route to diaryl sulfides with wide functional groups in good to excellent yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that a radical process is involved in the transformation.

Heterogeneously Catalyzed Selective Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Aromatization to Primary Anilines from Ammonia via Concerted Catalysis and Adsorption Control

Although catalytic dehydrogenative aromatization from cyclohexanones and NH₃ is an attractive synthetic method for primary anilines, using a hydrogen acceptor was indispensable to achieve satisfactory levels of selectivity in liquid-phase organic synthetic systems without photoirradiation. In this study, we developed a highly selective synthesis of primary anilines from cyclohexanones and NH₃ via efficient acceptorless dehydrogenative aromatization heterogeneously catalyzed by an Mg(OH)₂-supported Pd nanoparticle catalyst in which Mg(OH)₂ species are also deposited on the Pd surface. The basic sites of the Mg(OH)₂ support effectively accelerate the acceptorless dehydrogenative aromatization via concerted catalysis, suppressing the formation of secondary amine byproducts. In addition, the deposition of Mg(OH)₂ species inhibits the adsorption of cyclohexanones on the Pd nanoparticles to suppress phenol formation, achieving the desired primary anilines with high selectivity.

Synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted phenols via Rh(III)-catalyzed alkenyl C-H activation assisted by phosphonium cations

An efficient method for the construction of various 3,4,5-trisubstituted phenol derivatives has been achieved via the Rh(III)-catalyzed coupling of phosphonium cations with internal alkynes. This protocol shows good substrate compatibility, as an array of structurally and electronically diverse phosphonium compounds react efficiently with up to 87% yield.

Bromide-mediated, C2-selective, and oxygenative alkylation of pyridinium salts using alkenes and molecular oxygen

Herein, we report a bromide-mediated, C2-selective, and oxygenative alkylation of pyridinium salts using alkenes and O₂ for the synthesis of important β-2-pyridyl ketones. Notably, a quaternary carbon center was successfully installed at the C2-position of pyridine and the resulting C2-substituents were highly functionalized. The intermediary cycloadduct was isolated and further transformed into the desired product, which indicated that this three-component reaction underwent a reaction cascade including dearomative cycloaddition and rearomative ring-opening oxygenation. Finally, the bromide-mediated mechanism was discussed and active Br(I) species were proposed to be generated in situ and promote the rearomative ring-opening oxygenation by halogen bond-assisted electron transfer.

Construction of Spirocyclic Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines via Palladium-Catalyzed Hydrogenative Coupling of Phenols and Nitroarenes

The replacement of fossil resources with biomass resources in the construction of N-heterocycles is rapidly attracting research interest. Herein, we report palladium-catalyzed selective hydrogenative coupling of nitroarenes and phenols based on a transfer hydrogenation strategy, allowing straightforward access to spirocyclic pyrrolo- and indolo-fused quinoxalines, a class of compounds found in numerous natural alkaloids. The synthetic protocol is characterized by a broad substrate scope and the utilization of biomass-derived reactants and commercially available catalysts. In such transformations, high-pressure and explosive hydrogen are not required. This report provides a new protocol for converting biomass-derived phenols into value-added nitrogen-containing chemicals.

Recent advances in the dearomative functionalisation of heteroarenes

Dearomatisation reactions of (hetero)arenes have been widely employed as efficient methods to obtain highly substituted saturated cyclic compounds for over a century. In recent years, research in this area has shifted towards effecting additional C-C bond formation during the overall dearomative process. Moving away from classical hydrogenation-based strategies a wide range of reagents were found to be capable of initiating dearomatisation through nucleophilic addition (typically a reduction) or photochemically induced radical addition. The dearomatisation process gives rise to reactive intermediates which can be intercepted in an intra- or intermolecular fashion to deliver products with significantly increased molecular complexity when compared to simple dearomatisation. In this Perspective recent examples and strategies for the dearomative functionalisation of heteroaromatic systems will be discussed.

Direct deoxygenative borylation

Direct deoxygenative borylation is a highly enabling chemical transformation considering the attractive synthetic features of oxygenous feedstocks and organoboron compounds. Despite ranking among the synthetic ideality in different settings, such chemical space remained largely uncharted and underutilized until recent decades. This short review will summarize some key advances in the field of direct deoxy-borylation of alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids and organize these contributions based on substrate classes. In each representative, the general features, including reaction conditions, product scopes and mechanistic insights, will be highlighted and discussed.

Biocatalytic Friedel-Crafts Reactions

Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions are important methodologies in synthetic and industrial chemistry for the construction of aryl-alkyl and aryl-acyl linkages that are ubiquitous in bioactive molecules. Nature also exploits these reactions in many biosynthetic processes. Much work has been done to expand the synthetic application of these enzymes to unnatural substrates through directed evolution. The promise of such biocatalysts is their potential to supersede inefficient and toxic chemical approaches to these reactions, with mild operating conditions - the hallmark of enzymes. Complementary work has created many bio-hybrid Friedel-Crafts catalysts consisting of chemical catalysts anchored into biomolecular scaffolds, which display many of the same desirable characteristics. In this Review, we summarise these efforts, focussing on both mechanistic aspects and synthetic considerations, concluding with an overview of the frontiers of this field and routes towards more efficient and benign Friedel-Crafts reactions for the future of humankind.

Simple and Practical Conversion of Benzoic Acids to Phenols at Room Temperature

Phenols are important organic molecules because they have found widespread applications in many fields. Herein, an efficient and practical approach to prepare phenols from benzoic acids via simple organic reagents at room temperature is reported. This approach is compatible with various functional groups and heterocycles and can be easily scaled up. To demonstrate its synthetic utility, bioactive molecules and unsymmetrical hexaarylbenzenes have been prepared by leveraging this transformation as strategic steps. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the key migration step involves a free carbocation instead of a radical intermediate. Considering the abundance of benzoic acids and the utility of phenols, it is anticipated that this method will find broad applications in organic synthesis.

A One-Pot Approach for Bio-Based Arylamines via a Combined Photooxidative Dearomatization-Rearomatization Strategy

The synthesis of arylamines from renewable resources under mild reaction conditions is highly desired for the sustainability of the chemical industry, where the production of hazardous waste is a prime concern. However, to date, there are very few tools in chemists' toolboxes that are able to produce arylamines in a sustainable manner. Herein, a robust one-pot approach for constructing bio-based arylamines via a combined photooxidative dearomatization-rearomatization strategy is presented. The developed methodology enables the synthesis of structurally complex amines in moderate-to-good isolated yields using biomass-derived phenols, natural α-amino acids, and naphthols under remarkably mild reaction conditions. For the photooxygenation of phenols, a novel chrysazine-based catalyst system was introduced, demonstrating its efficiency for the synthesis of natural products - hallerone, rengyolone, and the pharmaceutically relevant prodrug DHED.

Hydride transfer-initiated synthesis of 3-functionalized quinolines by deconstruction of isoquinoline derivatives

Under transition metal catalyst-free conditions, we herein present a hydride transfer-initiated construction of novel 3-(2-aminomethyl)aryl quinolines from N-isoquinolinium salts and 2-aminobenzaldehydes, proceeding with the merits of operational simplicity, high step and atom efficiency, good substrate and functional group compatibility, and mild conditions. The products are formed by reacting with the isoquinolyl motif as a two-carbon synthon along with the cleavage of its C3-N bond. Given the interesting applications of 3-aryl quinolines, the developed chemistry is anticipated to be further applied to develop new functional products.

Catalytic Amination of Phenols with Amines

Given the wide prevalence and ready availability of both phenols and amines, aniline synthesis through direct coupling between these starting materials would be extremely attractive. Herein, we describe a rhodium-catalyzed amination of phenols, which provides concise access to diverse anilines, with water as the sole byproduct. The arenophilic rhodium catalyst facilitates the inherently difficult keto-enol tautomerization of phenols by means of π-coordination, allowing for the subsequent dehydrative condensation with amines. We demonstrate the generality of this redox-neutral catalysis by carrying out reactions of a large array of phenols with various electronic properties and a wide variety of primary and secondary amines. Several examples of late-stage functionalization of structurally complex bioactive molecules, including pharmaceuticals, further illustrate the potential broad utility of the method.

Synthesis of acridinones via palladium-catalyzed reductive annulation of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes and resorcinols

Through a palladium-catalyzed reductive annulation reaction of resorcinols and 2-nitrobenzaldehydes, reported is a new synthesis of acridinones with the features of operational simplicity, broad substrate scope, and readily available feedstocks.

Palladium-catalyzed denitrative N-arylation of nitroarenes with pyrroles, indoles, and carbazole

We have developed an efficient palladium-catalyzed denitrative N-arylation via cross-coupling of N–H heteroarenes with nitroarenes, one of the most inexpensive and fundamental feedstocks in the chemical industry. A variety of...

DCID-Mediated Heck Cross-Coupling of Phenols via C-O Bond activation

In this work a Palladium-catalyzed Heck cross-coupling of phenols using dichloroimidazolidinedione (DCID) as new reagent for the activation of C-O bond has been developed for the first time. Substituted phenols...

Recent advances in photochemical construction of aromatic C–P bonds via C–hetero bond cleavage

Photochemical C–P bond cross-coupling in aromatics via C–X (X = F, Cl, Br, I), C–N bond and C–O bond cleavages with/without photosensitizer were summarized in this review.

Site-Selective Synthesis of Aryl Sulfides via Oxidative Aromatization of Cyclohexanones with Thiophenols

We have introduced a metal-free facile access for the thiolation/aromatization of cyclohexanones with thiophenols to the corresponding aryl sulfides. The dehydroaromatic reaction of non-aromatic cyclohexanones proceeded smoothly using oxygen as a green oxidant.

Photocatalyzed Dehydroxylative Amination of Phenols: A Ring-Expansion Approach for Medium-Sized Benzolactams

An efficient photopromoted dehydroxylative ring-expansion approach to eight-membered benzolactams that employ phthalocyanine iron(II) as the photosensitizer has been developed. This cascade reaction protocol, featuring a visible-light-promoted dehydroxylative amination and oxidative ring-expansion lactamization of 4-hydroxyphenols with N-alkyl-4-piperidinones, provides a green and reliable approach to a diverse array of valuable eight-membered benzolactams with high chemo- and regioselectivity.

Reductive electrophilic C-H alkylation of quinolines by a reusable iridium nanocatalyst

The incorporation of a coupling step into the reduction of unsaturated systems offers a desirable way for diverse synthesis of functional molecules, but it remains to date a challenge due to the difficulty in controlling the chemoselectivity. Herein, by developing a new heterogeneous iridium catalyst composed of Ir-species (Ir^δ+) and N-doped SiO₂/TiO₂ support (Ir/N-SiO₂/TiO₂), we describe its application in reductive electrophilic mono and dialkylations of quinolines with various 2- or 4-functionalized aryl carbonyls or benzyl alcohols by utilizing renewable formic acid as the reductant. This catalytic transformation offers a practical platform for direct access to a vast range of alkyl THQs, proceeding with excellent step and atom-efficiency, good substrate scope and functional group tolerance, a reusable catalyst and abundantly available feedstocks, and generation of water and carbon dioxide as by-products. The work opens a door to further develop more useful organic transformations under heterogeneous reductive catalysis.

By developing a heterogeneous iridium catalyst composed of a N-doped SiO₂/TiO₂ support and Ir-species (Ir/N-SiO₂/TiO₂), its application in reductive electrophilic alkylation of quinolines with various aryl carbonyls or benzyl alcohols is presented.

Photoinduced transition-metal and external photosensitizer free cross-coupling of aryl triflates with trialkyl phosphites

Photoinduced phosphonation of aryl triflates with trialkyl phosphites via a tandem single-electron-transfer, C-O bond cleavage and Arbuzov rearrangement process in the absence of transition-metal and external photosensitizer is reported herein. The protocol features good functional group compatibility and mild reaction conditions, providing various aryl phosphates in good to high yields. Furthermore, this strategy allows the late-stage phosphonation of complex and biologically active compounds.

Photocatalytic Upgrading of Lignin Oil to Diesel Precursors and Hydrogen

Producing renewable biofuels from biomass is a promising way to meet future energy demand. Here, we demonstrated a lignin to diesel route via dimerization of the lignin oil followed by hydrodeoxygenation. The lignin oil undergoes C-C bond dehydrogenative coupling over Au/CdS photocatalyst under visible light irradiation, co-generating diesel precursors and hydrogen. The Au nanoparticles loaded on CdS can effectively restrain the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, thus improving the efficiency of the dimerization reaction. About 2.4 mmol g_catal ^-1  h^-1 dimers and 1.6 mmol g_catal ^-1  h^-1 H₂ were generated over Au/CdS, which is about 12 and 6.5 times over CdS, respectively. The diesel precursors are finally converted into C16-C18 cycloalkanes or aromatics via hydrodeoxygenation reaction using Pd/C or porous CoMoS catalyst, respectively. The conversion of pine sawdust to diesel was performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the lignin-to-diesel route.

Synthesis of Substituted Anilines from Cyclohexanones Using Pd/C-Ethylene System and Its Application to Indole Synthesis

The synthesis of anilines and indoles from cyclohexanones using a Pd/C-ethylene system is reported. A simple combination of NH₄OAc and K₂CO₃ under nonaerobic conditions was found to be the most suitable to perform this reaction. Hydrogen transfer between cyclohexanone and ethylene generates the desired products. The reaction tolerates a variety of substitutions on the starting cyclohexanones.