Organo-photoredox-Catalyzed Selective Mono- and Bis-C-H Alkylation of Electron-Rich (Hetero)Arenes

Synthesis of indole-fused benzodiazepine derivatives by photocatalyzed cascade reaction

We report a cascade synthesis of indole-fused benzodiazepines by the photocatalyzed addition of phenacyl radical, generated from α-acetoxy acetophenone, to 2-(3-methyl-1H-indol-1-yl)aniline, and subsequent cyclodehydration. A range of indole-fused benzodiazepines were obtained from readily available substrates.

EDA Complex-Enabled Annulation to Access CF2-Containing Tetralones and Quinazolinones Using Persulfates as Electron Donors

A photocatalyst-free and EDA complex-enabled radical cascade cyclization reaction of inactive alkenes with bromodifluoroacetamides was reported for the divergent synthesis of fluorine-containing tetralones and quinazolinones. In this transformation, persulfates as electron donors and difluoro bromamide as electron acceptors generate the EDA complex. This is a promising photochemical method with advantages such as mild reaction conditions, simple operation, being metal-free, and excellent functional group tolerance.

A two carbon homologation of Friedel-Crafts alkylation enabled by photochemical alkene stitching: modular assembly of cyclolignans

Herein we report an efficient two-carbon homologated variant of Friedel-Crafts alkylation via photochemical radical alkene stitching. Readily available feedstock alkenes are used as bridges between photogenerated alkyl radicals and arenes, opening a route to γ-aryl-carbonyls for chemo-divergent access to aryltetralone and γ-lactones, a gateway to 2,7'-cyclolignans.