Merging Alkene Isomerization Enables Difunctionalization of Cyclic Enamines toward Ring-Fused Aminal Synthesis

Visible Light-Promoted Radical Cascade Bicyclization to Access Partially Saturated Pyrrolo[2,3-b]Pyridines

A visible light-promoted cascade [2+2+1] bicyclization reaction of N-cyanamide alkenes and activated alkyl bromides has been successfully established. This reaction exhibits mild conditions, metal-free characteristics, and excellent atom- and step-economy, along with environmental friendliness. It demonstrates broad substrate tolerance and scalability to gram-scale synthesis, underscoring its potential for practical applications. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through a photoinduced single-electron transfer (SET) process and a 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process mediated by an iminyl radical.

Diastereoselective β-hydroxy vinylsulfone isomerizations

Vinylic phenylsulfones containing a β-hydroxyl stereocenter undergo a diastereoselective isomerization to the corresponding allylic isomer upon treatment with 1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec-7-ene (DBU). Diastereoselectivity of this reaction increases with increasing size of the group attached to the carbinol carbon (up to >20 : 1 dr with a tert-butyl). Isolated yields of the isomerized allylic 1,2-hydroxy phenylsulfone products were comparable among the different vinylsulfones tested (59-66%). The major competing pathway was a C-C bond cleavage process, proposed to occur after the initial isomerization event. The sense of diastereoselection was consistent among all substrates investigated, in favor of the erythro-isomer based on NMR analysis.

A Neutral PCNHCP Co(I)-Me Pincer Complex as a Catalyst for N-Allylic Isomerization with a Broad Substrate Scope

Earth-abundant-metal catalyzed double bond transposition offers a sustainable and atom-economical route toward the synthesis of internal alkenes. With an emphasis specifically on internal olefins and ethers, the isomerization of allylic amines has been particularly under represented in the literature. Herein, we report an efficient methodology for the selective isomerization of N-allylic organic compounds, including amines, amides, and imines. The reaction is catalyzed by a neutral PCNHCP cobalt(I) pincer complex and proceeds via a π-allyl mechanism. The isomerization occurs readily at 80-90 °C, and it is compatible with a wide variety of functional groups. The in situ formed enamines could additionally be used for a one-pot inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction to furnish a series of diversely substituted heterobiaryls, which is further discussed in this report.

"Alkene-to-Alkene" Difunctionalization of Enaminones for the Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Alkenes by Transition-Metal-Free C-H and C-N Bond Transformation

The three-component reactions of enaminones, disulfides, and alcohols for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized alkenes have been realized via the C-H and C-N bond transformation on enaminones. The reactions proceed in a novel "alkene-to-alkene" difunctionalization mode without using any transition metal. The application of the alkene products in the synthesis of divergent sulfenyl heteroaryls, including sulfenylated pyrazoles, pyrimidines, and isoxazoles, via simple annulation has also been verified.