Photoredox-Catalyzed Phosphonocarboxylation of Allenes with Phosphine Oxides and CO2

Base promoted regio- and stereoselective hydrophosphinylation of allenes

A novel and transition-metal-free hydrophosphinylation of allenes with secondary phosphine oxides was developed. In the presence of the cheap and commercially available cesium carbonate, various hydrophosphinylation products were synthesized with exclusive regio- and stereoselectivity under mild conditions. This methodology provides simple and efficient access to (E)-alkenylphosphine oxides in moderate to excellent yields with a relatively broad substrate scope.

Alkene Carboxy-Alkylation via CO2•

Herein, we introduce a new platform for alkene carboxy-alkylation. This reaction is designed around CO2•- addition to alkenes followed by radical polar crossover, which enables alkylation through carbanion attack on carbonyl electrophiles. We discovered that CO2•- adds to alkenes faster than it reduces carbonyl electrophiles and that this reactivity can be exploited by accessing CO2•- via hydrogen atom transfer from formate. This photocatalytic system transforms vinylarenes and carbonyl compounds into a diverse array of substituted γ-lactone products. Furthermore, indoles can be engaged through dearomative carboxy-alkylation, delivering medicinally relevant C(sp3)-rich heterocyclic scaffolds. Mechanistic studies reveal that the active photocatalyst is generated in situ through a photochemically induced reaction between the precatalyst and DMSO. Overall, we have developed a three-component alkene carboxy-alkylation reaction enabled by the use of formate as the CO2•- precursor.

NaIO4/air-initiated phosphorylation of alcohols with H-phosphine oxides for the construction of P(O)-O bonds in water

A facile and efficient protocol for P(O)-O bond formation was discovered through NaIO4/air-initiated phosphorylation of alcohols with H-phosphine oxides in water. This reaction showed good functional group tolerance and a broad substrate scope, providing an alternative method for constructing P(O)-O bonds. Mechanistic studies suggested that a phosphoryl radical-involving process from H-phosphine oxides facilitated the phosphorylation of alcohols under air.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Itaconic Acid Derivatives via Chemodivergent Single and Double Carboxylation of Allenes with CO2

Leveraging electrochemistry, a new synthesis of non-natural derivatives of itaconic acid is proposed by utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) as a valuable C1 synthon. An electrochemical cross-electrophile coupling between allenoates and CO2 was targeted, allowing for the synthesis of both mono- and di-carboxylation products in a catalyst- and additive-free environment (yields up to 87 %, 30 examples). Elaboration of the model mono-carboxylation product, and detailed cyclovoltammetric, as well as mechanistic analyses complete the present investigation.

Visible-light-promoted regioselective hydrocarboxylation of allenes with formate salt and CO2

Visible-light-promoted hydrocarboxylation of allenes with formate salt and CO2 was developed for the first time using commercially available [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)]PF6 as a photocatalyst. This strategy provides an efficient and practical method to access β,γ-unsaturated linear carboxylic acids in moderate yields with complete regioselectivity.