Photocatalyzed Formal All-Carbon [3+2] Cycloaddition of Aromatic Aldehydes with Arylethynyl Silanes

A TBADT-enabled photo-induced radical cyclization pathway: concise access to functionalized oxindoles

Herein, this work describes a mild and general protocol for photo-induced cascade cyclisation of arylalkynamides resulting in diversely functionalized oxindoles. This strategy enables the construction of two C-C bonds through a radical cascade process via a hydrogen atom transfer pathway employing the decatungstate anion ([W10O32]4-) as an efficient HAT photocatalyst. Interestingly, pivaldehyde afforded unexpected Z-indolinones stereospecifically in our strategy.

Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H alkenylation of NH-sulfoximine with vinylsilanes

The rhodium(III)-catalysed ortho-C-H alkenylation of NH-sulfoximine using readily available vinylsilanes as an olefinating reagent to introduce vinylsilane groups has been achieved. These groups are adaptable synthetic intermediates, and can be selectively changed into a variety of substituents.

Photoredox-Catalyzed [3+2] annulation of Aromatic Amides with Olefins via Iminium Intermediates

Despite the preliminary success of transition metal-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of amides with olefins, the corresponding radical-type [3+2] annulation remains a laborious challenge. Herein we report the first photoredox-catalyzed radical-type [3+2] annulation of aromatic amides with olefins. We established an approach to generate unprecedented iminium radicals by reducing the oxyiminium intermediates, formed in situ from corresponding amides with Tf2O, via photoredox catalysis. The [3+2] annulation was achieved via stepwise radical process, instead of forming linear products via other pathways as previously reported. This annulation protocol exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, and a diversity of substrates are united under the photoredox conditions, affording iminium products that can be in situ diversified into 1-indanones, enamines and amines. Mechanistic investigations indicate reduction of the oxyiminium intermediate to the iminium radicals by excited-state of the photocatalyst initiates the catalytic cycle.

Photocatalyzed Cascade Hydrogen Atom Transfers for Assembly of Multi-Substituted α-SCF3 and α-SCF2H Cyclopentanones

A photocatalyzed formal (3+2) cycloaddition has been developed to construct original polysubstituted α-SCF3 cyclopentanones in a regio- and diastereoselective manner. This building block approach leverages trifluoromethylthio alkynes and branched/linear aldehydes, as readily available reaction partners, in consecutive hydrogen atom transfers and C-C bond formations. Difluoromethylthio alkynes are also compatible substrates. Furthermore, the potential for telescoped reaction starting from alcohols instead of aldehydes was demonstrated, as well as process automatization and scale-up under continuous microflow conditions. This prompted density functional theory (DFT) calculations to support a radical-mediated cascade process.

Tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT), a compelling and trailblazing catalyst for visible-light-induced organic photocatalysis

Tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) has recently emerged as an intriguing photocatalyst under visible-light or near-visible-light irradiation in a wide range of organic reactions that were previously not conceivable. Given its ability to absorb visible light and excellent effectiveness in activating unactivated chemical bonds, it is a promising addition to traditional photocatalysts. This review covers some of the contemporary developments in visible-light or near-visible-light photocatalysis reactions enabled by the TBADT catalyst to 2023, with the contents organized by reaction type.

Nickel/Photo-Cocatalyzed Three-Component Alkyl-Acylation of Aryl-Activated Alkenes

Herein, we disclose a nickel/photo-cocatalyzed three-component alkyl-acylation of aryl-substituted alkenes with aldehydes and electron-withdrawing-group-activated alkyl bromides, providing straightforward access to various ketones under mild and ligand-free conditions. The photocatalyst TBADT plays a dual role in activating the acyl C-H bond of aldehydes via hydrogen atom transfer and reducing the C-Br bond of alkyl bromides via single-electron transfer. While the terminal C-C bond is forged through polarity-matched radical-type addition, nickel is likely involved in the acylation step.

Asymmetric imino-acylation of alkenes enabled by HAT-photo/nickel cocatalysis

By merging nickel-mediated facially selective aza-Heck cyclization and radical acyl C-H activation promoted by tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) as a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) photocatalyst, we accomplish an asymmetric imino-acylation of oxime ester-tethered alkenes with readily available aldehydes as the acyl source, enabling the synthesis of highly enantioenriched pyrrolines bearing an acyl-substituted stereogenic center under mild conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies support a Ni(i)/Ni(ii)/Ni(iii) catalytic sequence involving the intramolecular migratory insertion of a tethered olefinic unit into the Ni(iii)-N bond as the enantiodiscriminating step.