Oxidative Cyclization Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines and Reductive Hydrogenation of Maleimides under Redox-Neutral Conditions

Visible-Light Organic Photosensitizers Based on 2-(2-Aminophenyl)benzothiazoles for Photocycloaddition Reactions

We have studied 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzothiazole and related derivatives for their photophysical properties in view of employing them as new and readily tunable organic photocatalysts. Their triplet energies were estimated by DFT calculations to be in the range of 52-57 kcal mol-1, suggesting their suitability for the [2+2] photocycloaddition of unsaturated acyl imidazoles with styrene derivatives. Experimental studies have shown that 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles comprising alkylamino groups (NHMe, NHiPr) or the native amino group provide the best photocatalytic results in these visible-light mediated [2+2] reactions without the need of any additives, yielding a range of cyclobutane derivatives. A combined experimental and theoretical approach has provided insights into the underlying triplet-triplet energy transfer process.

Visible-light-induced redox-neutral difunctionalization of alkenes and alkynes

The twelve principles of green chemistry illuminate the pathway in the direction of sustainable and eco-friendly synthesis, marking a fundamental shift in synthetic organic chemistry paradigms. In this realm, harnessing the power of visible light for the difunctionalization of various skeletons without employing any external oxidant or reductant, specifically termed as redox-neutral difunctionalization, has attracted tremendous interest from synthetic organic chemists due to its low cost, easy availability and environmentally friendly nature in contrast to traditional metal-catalyzed difunctionalizations. This review presents an overview of recent updates on visible-light-induced redox-neutral difunctionalization reactions with literature coverage up to May 2024.

Embracing heterogeneous photocatalysis: evolution of photocatalysts in annulation of dimethylanilines and maleimides

Recent advances in visible-light-promoted construction of tetrahydroquinolines from dimethylanilines and maleimides are documented. Homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalytic systems, as well as the reaction mechanism, are emphasized. The mechanism of this photocatalytic annulation reaction is quite clear, i.e., dimethylanilines and maleimides serve as the radical precursors and radical acceptors, respectively. This annulation reaction could serve as an excellent platform for evaluating novel oxidative heterogeneous photocatalytic systems, which could further inspire chemists in this field to develop more efficient photocatalytic systems. Significant opportunities are expected in the future for heterogeneous photocatalysis strategies.

Palladium-Catalyzed Annulation of Tertiary Anilines with 3-Butenoic Acid via Dual C-H Bond Activation

Catalytic cyclization via dual C-H bond activation has evolved as a powerful strategy for building bi- and polycyclic molecules. Herein, a palladium-catalyzed annulation of tertiary anilines with 3-butenoic acid via N-α-C(sp3)-H and ortho-C(sp2)-H activation is described. The remarkable characteristics of this reaction include excellent diastereoselectivity, broad substrate scope, and good tolerance for some highly sensitive groups. In addition, the KIE experiment suggested that the C-H bond abscission is not the turnover-limiting step.

Photoredox-Cobaloxime Catalysis for Selective Oxidative Dehydrogenative [4+2] Annulation of Imidazo-Fused Heterocycles with Alkenes

A selective oxidative [4+2] annulation of alkenes with imidazo-fused heterocycles has been developed by using the synergistic combination of photoredox and cobaloxime catalysts. It allows facile access to various imidazole-fused polyaromatic scaffolds accompanied by H2 evolution. This protocol features high regioselectivity as well as a broad substrate scope. Detailed mechanistic studies indicate that twice the electron/H transfer processes facilitated by this catalytic system achieve the annulation π-extension of imidazo-fused heterocycles with alkenes.

Photoredox/Cobalt-Catalyzed Cascade Oxidative Synthesis of 2,5-Disubstituted 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles under Oxidant-Free Conditions

An efficient oxidant-free, photoredox-mediated cascade cyclization strategy for the synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles by using an organo acridinium photocatalyst and a cobaloxime catalyst has been developed. Various acylhydrazones have been transformed into the corresponding 1,3,4-oxadiazole products in up to 96% yield, and H2 is the only byproduct. Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculation studies indicate carbon-centered radicals rather than oxygen-centered radicals as π-radicals produced by the oxidation of photoexcited Mes-Acr+* along with deprotonation, which is responsible for this transformation. The practical utility of this method is highlighted by the one-pot gram-scale synthesis starting directly from commercially available aldehydes and acylhydrazides.

Electrochemical trifluoroalkylation/annulation for the synthesis of CF3-functionalized tetrahydroquinolines and dihydroquinolinones

Tuning the electronic structure of protecting groups on the nitrogen atom of substrates has emerged as an effective strategy to achieve the tandem trifluoromethylation/C(sp2)-H annulation using Langlois' reagent as the CF3 source for the electrochemical synthesis of functionalized tetrahydroquinolines and dihydroquinolinones.

Mesoporous Mixed-Metal-Organic Framework Incorporating a [Ru(Phen)3]2+ Photosensitizer for Highly Efficient Aerobic Photocatalytic Oxidative Coupling of Amines

[Ru(Phen)₃]²⁺ (phen = phenanthroline) as a very classical photosensitizer possesses strong absorption in the visible range and facilitates photoinduced electron transfer, which plays a vital role in regulating photochemical reactions. However, it remains a significant challenge to utilize more adequately and exploit more efficiently the ruthenium-based materials due to the uniqueness, scarcity, and nonrenewal of the noble metal. Here, we integrate the intrinsic advantages of the ruthenium-based photosensitizer and mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (meso-MOFs) into a [Ru(Phen)₃]²⁺ photosensitizer-embedded heterometallic Ni(II)/Ru(II) meso-MOF (LTG-NiRu) via the metalloligand approach. LTG-NiRu, with an extremely robust framework and a large one-dimensional (1D) channel, not only makes ruthenium photosensitizer units anchored in the inner wall of meso-MOF tubes to circumvent the problem of product/catalyst separation and recycling of catalysts in heterogeneous systems but also exhibits exceptional activities for the aerobic photocatalytic oxidative coupling of amine derivatives as a general photocatalyst. The conversion of the light-induced oxidative coupling reaction for various benzylamines is ∼100% in 1 h, and more than 20 chemical products generated by photocatalytic oxidative cycloaddition of N-substituted maleimides and N,N-dimethylaniline can be synthesized easily in the presence of LTG-NiRu upon visible light irradiation. Moreover, recycling experiments demonstrate that LTG-NiRu is an excellent heterogeneous photocatalyst with high stability and excellent reusability. LTG-NiRu represents a great potential photosensitizer-based meso-MOF platform with an efficient aerobic photocatalytic oxidation function that is convenient for gram-scale synthesis.

K2S2O8-Induced [4+2] Annulation of Tertiary Anilines and Alkenes toward Tetrahydroquinolines

Due to the unique physicochemical properties of heterocyclic compounds, their construction is one of the central issues in synthetic chemistry. Here, we report a K₂S₂O₈-induced protocol for constructing tetrahydroquinolines from bulk chemicals (alkenes and anilines). The merit of this method has been demonstrated by its operational simplicity, wide scope, mild conditions, and transition-metal-free system.

Photoinduced Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex-Mediated Radical Cascade Involving N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides: Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines

We conceptualized a novel disconnection approach for the synthesis of fused tetrahydroquinolines that exploits a visible light-mediated radical (4 + 2) annulation between alkyl N-(acyloxy)phthalimides and N-substituted maleimides in the presence of DIPEA as an additive. The reaction proceeds through the formation of a photoactivated electron donor-acceptor complex between alkyl NHPI esters and DIPEA, and the final tetrahydroquinolines were obtained in a complete regioselective fashion. The methodology features a broad scope and good functional group tolerance and operates under metal- and catalyst-free reaction conditions. Detailed mechanistic investigations including density functional theory studies provide insight into the reaction pathway.

Copper-Promoted Aerobic Oxidative [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of N,N-Disubstituted Hydrazines with Alkynoates: Access to Substituted Pyrazoles

A copper-promoted aerobic oxidative [3+2] cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of various substituted pyrazoles from N,N-disubstituted hydrazines with alkynoates in the presence of bases is developed. This work involves a direct C(sp³)-H functionalization and the formation of new C-C/C-N bonds. In this strategy, inexpensive and easily available Cu₂O serves as the promoter and air acts as the green oxidant. The reaction exhibits the advantages of high atom and step economy, high regioselectivity, and easy operation.

Photocatalytic Synthesis of Quinolines via Povarov Reaction under Oxidant-Free Conditions

We describe here an approach for synthesizing quinolines either from N-alkyl anilines or from anilines and aldehydes. A dual-catalyst system consisting of a photocatalyst and a proton reduction cocatalyst is employed. Without the use of any sacrificial oxidant and under extremely mild conditions, the reactions afford quinolines in excellent yields and produce H₂ as a byproduct.

Aerobic Oxidative EDA Catalysis: Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines Using an Organocatalytic EDA Active Acceptor

A catalytic electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex for the visible-light-driven annulation reaction between activated alkenes and N,N-substituted dialkyl anilines is reported. The key photoactive complex is formed in situ between dialkylated anilines as donors and 1,2-dibenzoylethylene as a catalytic acceptor. The catalytic acceptor is regenerated by aerobic oxidation. Investigations into the mechanism are provided, revealing a rare example of a catalytic acceptor in photoactive EDA complexes that can give access to selective functionalization of aromatic amines under mild photochemical conditions.

A thiadiazolopyridine-functionalized Zr(iv)-based metal-organic framework for enhanced photocatalytic synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines under visible light

Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials provide a versatile and promising platform for constructing heterogeneous photocatalysts with applications in organic transformations. One of the methods for enhancing MOFs' performance in photocatalysis relies on the elaborate design and functionalization of organic linkers. Here we reported a photoactive thiadiazolopyridine (TDP) moiety functionalized UiO-68 isoreticular Zr(iv)-based MOF (denoted as UiO-68-TDP) that was synthesized by the de novo approach of mixed dicarboxylate struts. Under blue LED irradiation and in an open air atmosphere, MOF UiO-68-TDP exhibited a largely higher photocatalytic activity for the synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines by oxidative annulation reaction between N,N-dimethylanilines and maleimides, in comparison to the benzothiadiazole decorated analogue MOF. Besides, UiO-68-TDP can be reused at least three times without significant loss of its photocatalytic activity and its framework was well maintained after these cycles. Furthermore, the related mechanism involving reactive oxygen species was properly proposed.

A photoactive thiadiazolopyridine moiety functionalized UiO-68 isoreticular MOF exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity for the synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines between N,N-dimethylanilines and maleimides under visible light.

FeCl2/TBAC efficiently catalyzes domino coupling reactions for constructing indoline-fused tetrahydroisoquinolines

FeCl2/TBAC has been found to be highly active for the construction of indoline-fused tetrahydroisoquinolines using aryltetrahydroisoquinolines and active methylene as simple reactants via two coupling reactions in a single step.

Borane-catalyzed cascade Friedel–Crafts alkylation/[1,5]-hydride transfer/Mannich cyclization to afford tetrahydroquinolines

We report a redox-neutral annulation reaction of tertiary amines with electron-deficient alkynes under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions.

Template-Directed Fabrication of Highly Efficient Metal-Organic Framework Photocatalysts

Photocatalysis is a powerful and versatile tool widely applied in the areas of synthesis chemistry. However, most of the photocatalysts currently used are homogeneous catalysts, which inevitably face issues such as product-catalyst separation and recyclability. Addressing this challenge, we utilized a homogeneous Ru photocatalyst as a structure-directing template to fabricate a series of isostructural photocatalyst-encapsulating metal-organic frameworks (photocatalyst@MOFs) with high porosity, robustness, and photocatalyst loading. The regular channels of MOF can disperse the encapsulated photocatalysts, promote the mass transfer of substrates and products, and provide an outstanding substrate confinement effect, thereby dramatically improving the catalytic activity and excellent recyclability toward valuable organic reactions. For instance, the MOF photocatalysts can catalyze the asymmetric Mannich reaction with ketones with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee), better than the reported photocatalyst. Significantly, this was the first case that heterogeneous MOF-based photocatalyst can catalyze the asymmetric Mannich reaction without cocatalysts under room temperature and visible light. This work not only explores an avenue to prepare heterogeneous photocatalysts but also broadens the application scope of MOF-based photocatalysts.

Construction of Indoline-Fused Tetrahydroisoquinolines through a Domino Coupling Reaction Catalyzed by CuCoFe Layered Double Hydroxide

A convenient catalytic protocol for efficiently constructing indoline-fused tetrahydroisoquinolines based on CuCoFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) has been described. Preliminary mechanistic studies show that indoline-fused tetrahydroisoquinolines are produced via domino coupling/cyclization reactions between tetrahydroisoquinolines and active methylene compounds, including malononitrile, malonates, and analogues. CuCoFe-LDH can accelerate the C_sp3-C_sp3 and C_sp3-C_sp2 formation reactions in a single step. The research thus presents a unique opportunity to develop a synthetic methodology for N-containing polycyclic compounds.

Photo-oxidative Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Formal [3 + 2] Heterocyclization of Thioamides to Thiadiazoles

An operationally simple and sustainable one-pot photo-oxidative formal [3 + 2] heterocyclization of β-ketothioamides with aryldiazonium salts catalyzed by Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ has been realized to provide 2,4-disubstituted 5-imino-1,2,3-thiadiazoles in good to high yields under mild reaction conditions for the first time. The reaction proceeded via an α-phenylhydrazone adduct of thioamides leading to 1,2,3-thiadiazoles via N-S bond formation at room temperature. Notably, the products possess Z-stereochemistry with regard to the exocyclic C═N double bond at the 5-position of the ring.

Visible-Light-Induced Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinolines through Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of Acyclic α,β-Unsaturated Amides and Imides with N,N-Dialkylanilines

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinolines should be applicable to the development of new pharmaceutical agents. A facile synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines that is achieved by a photoinduced formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of acyclic α,β-unsaturated amides and imides with N,N-dialkylanilines under visible-light irradiation, in which a new Ir^III complex photosensitizer, a thiourea, and an oxidant act cooperatively in promoting the reaction, is reported. The photoreaction enables the synthesis of a wide variety of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, while controlling the trans/cis diastereoselectivity (>99:1) and constructing contiguous stereogenic centers. A chemoselective cleavage of an acyclic imide auxiliary is demonstrated.

Self-assembled metallasupramolecular cages towards light harvesting systems for oxidative cyclization

Designing artificial light harvesting systems with the ability to utilize the output energy for fruitful application in aqueous medium is an intriguing topic for the development of clean and sustainable energy. We report here facile synthesis of three prismatic molecular cages as imminent supramolecular optoelectronic materials via two-component coordination-driven self-assembly of a new tetra-imidazole donor (L) in combination with 180°/120° di-platinum(ii) acceptors. Self-assembly of 180° trans-Pt(ii) acceptors A1 and A2 with L leads to the formation of cages Pt4 L 2(1a) and Pt8 L 2(2a) respectively, while 120°-Pt(ii) acceptor A3 with L gives the Pt8 L 2(3a) metallacage. PF6 - analogues (1b, 2b and 3b) of the metallacages possess a high molar extinction coefficient and large Stokes shift. 1b-3b are weakly emissive in dilute solution but showed aggregation induced emission (AIE) in a water/MeCN mixture as well as in the solid state. AIE active 2b and 3b in aqueous (90% water/MeCN mixture) medium act as donors for fabricating artificial light harvesting systems via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) with organic dye rhodamine-B (RhB) with high energy efficiency and good antenna effect. The metallacages 2b and 3b represent an interesting platform to fabricate new generation supramolecular aqueous light harvesting systems with high antenna effect. Finally, the harvested energy of the LHSs (2b + RhB) and (3b + RhB) was utilized successfully for efficient visible light induced photo-oxidative cross coupling cyclization of N,N-dimethylaniline (4) with a series of N-alkyl/aryl maleimides (5) in aqueous acetonitrile with dramatic enhancement in yields compared to the reactions with RhB or cages alone.

Pt(II)-Decorated Covalent Organic Framework for Photocatalytic Difluoroalkylation and Oxidative Cyclization Reactions

A new covalent organic framework (COF) based on imine bonds was assembled from 2-(4-formylphenyl)-5-formylpyridine and 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)pyrene, which showed an interesting dual-pore structure with high crystallinity. Postmetallation of the COF with Pt occurred selectively at the N donor (imine and pyridyl) in the larger pores. The metallated COF served as an excellent recyclable heterogeneous photocatalyst for decarboxylative difluoroalkylation and oxidative cyclization reactions.

An organocatalytic enantioselective ring-reorganization domino sequence of methyleneindolinones with 2-aminomalonates

Novel organocatalytic enantioselective ring-reorganization domino sequence was developed to efficiently construct polycyclic pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolinones in high yields (up to 92%) and stereoselectivity (up to >99% ee, >20 : 1 dr).

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution from Plastoquinol Analogues as a Potential Functional Model of Photosystem I

The recent development of a functional model of photosystem II (PSII) has paved a new way to connect the PSII model with a functional model of photosystem I (PSI). However, PSI functional models have yet to be reported. We report herein the first potential functional model of PSI, in which plastoquinol (PQH₂) analogues were oxidized to plastoquinone (PQ) analogues, accompanied by hydrogen (H₂) evolution. Photoirradiation of a deaerated acetonitrile (MeCN) solution containing hydroquinone derivatives (X-QH₂) as a hydrogen source, 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion (Acr⁺-Mes) as a photoredox catalyst, and a cobalt(III) complex, Co^III(dmgH)₂pyCl (dmgH = dimethylglyoximate monoanion; py = pyridine) as a redox catalyst resulted in the evolution of H₂ and formation of the corresponding p-benzoquinone derivatives (X-Q) quantitatively. The maximum quantum yield for photocatalytic H₂ evolution from tetrachlorohydroquinone (Cl₄QH₂) with Acr⁺-Mes and Co^III(dmgH)₂pyCl and H₂O in deaerated MeCN was determined to be 10%. Photocatalytic H₂ evolution is started by electron transfer (ET) from Cl₄QH₂ to the triplet ET state of Acr⁺-Mes to produce Cl₄QH₂^•+ and Acr^•-Mes with a rate constant of 7.2 × 10⁷ M^-1 s^-1, followed by ET from Acr^•-Mes to Co^III(dmgH)₂pyCl to produce [Co^II(dmgH)₂pyCl]^-, accompanied by the regeneration of Acr⁺-Mes. On the other hand, Cl₄QH₂^•+ is deprotonated to produce Cl₄QH^•, which transfers either a hydrogen-atom transfer or a proton-coupled electron transfer to [Co^II(dmgH)₂pyCl]^- to produce a cobalt(III) hydride complex, [Co^III(H)(dmgH)₂pyCl]^-, which reacts with H⁺ to evolve H₂, accompanied by the regeneration of Co^III(dmgH)₂pyCl. The formation of [Co^II(dmgH)₂pyCl]^- was detected by electron paramagnetic resonance measurements.

Photoredox Catalysis of Aromatic β-Ketoesters for in Situ Production of Transient and Persistent Radicals for Organic Transformation

Radical formation is the initial step for conventional radical chemistry. Reported herein is a unified strategy to generate radicals in situ from aromatic β-ketoesters by using a photocatalyst. Under visible-light irradiation, a small amount of photocatalyst fac-Ir(ppy)₃ generates a transient α-carbonyl radical and persistent ketyl radical in situ. In contrast to the well-established approaches, neither stoichiometric external oxidant nor reductant is required for this reaction. The synthetic utility is demonstrated by pinacol coupling of ketyl radicals and benzannulation of α-carbonyl radicals with alkynes to give a series of highly substituted 1-naphthols in good to excellent yields. The readily available photocatalyst, mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, and high functional-group tolerance make this reaction a useful synthetic tool.

One-electron oxidative dehydrogenative annulation and cyclization reactions

This review focuses on the recent advances in one-electron oxidation involved oxidative dehydrogenative annulations and cyclizations for the intermolecular and intramolecular construction of valuable ring structures.

Cercosporin-photocatalyzed sp3 (C-H) activation for the synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolones

We reported a new method that visible light along with cercosporin, one of the naturally occurring perylenequinonoid pigments with excellent properties of photosensitization, photocatalyzed sp³ (C-H) activation for the synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolones through the annulation of anilines and maleimides under mild conditions.

Redox-Selective Iron Catalysis for α-Amino C-H Bond Functionalization via Aerobic Oxidation

Single-electron oxidation and α-deprotonation of tertiary anilines using Fe(phen)₃(PF₆)₃ afford α-aminoalkyl radicals, which can be coupled with electrophilic partners to afford various tetrahydroquinolines. Mechanistically, the Fe(phen)_n^2+/3+ catalytic cycle is maintained by O₂ or a TBHP oxidant, and the presence of the oxygen bound iron complex, Fe(III)-OO(H), was elucidated by electron paramagnetic resonance and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This redox-selective nonheme iron catalyst behaves similarly to bioinspired heme iron catalysts.