Highly Diastereoselective Functionalization of Piperidines by Photoredox-Catalyzed α-Amino C-H Arylation and Epimerization

C-H, N-H, and O-H Bond Activations to Prepare Phosphorescent Hydride-Iridium(III)-Phosphine Emitters with Photocatalytic Achievement in C-C Coupling Reactions

Complex IrH5(PiPr3)2 (1) activates two different σ-bonds of 3-phenoxy-1-phenylisoquinoline, 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-6-phenylpyridine, 2-(1H-indol-2-yl)-6-phenylpyridine, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-6-phenylpyridine, N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N'-phenylimidazolylidene, and 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)-4,6-dimethylbenzene to give IrH{κ3-C,N,C-[C6H4-isoqui-O-C6H4]}(PiPr3)2 (2), IrH{κ3-N,N,C-[NBzim-py-C6H4]}(PiPr3)2 (3), IrH{κ3-N,N,C-[Ind-py-C6H4]}(PiPr3)2 (4), IrH{κ3-C,N,O-[C6H4-py-C6H4O]}(PiPr3)2 (5), IrH{κ3-C,C,O-[C6H4-Im-C6H4O]}(PiPr3)2 (6), and IrH{κ3-N,C,C-[py-C6HMe2-C5H3N]}(PiPr3)2 (7), respectively. The activations are sequential, with the second generally being the slowest. Accordingly, dihydride intermediates IrH2{κ2-C,N-[C6H4-isoqui-O-C6H5]}(PiPr3)2 (2d), IrH2{κ2-N,N-[NBzim-py-C6H5]}(PiPr3)2 (3d), IrH2{κ2-N,N-[Ind-py-C6H5]}(PiPr3)2 (4d), and IrH2{κ2-N,C-[py-C6HMe2-py]}(PiPr3)2 (7d) were characterized spectroscopically. Complexes 3 and 5 are green phosphorescent emitters upon photoexcitation, exhibiting good absorption over a wide range of wavelengths, emission quantum yields about 0.70 in solution, long enough lifetimes (10-17 μs), and reversible electrochemical behavior. In agreement with these features, complex 3 promotes the photocatalytic α-amino C(sp3)-H arylation of N,N-dimethylaniline and N-phenylpiperidine with 1,4-dicyanobenzene and 4-cyanopyridine under blue LED light irradiation. The C-C coupling products are isolated in high yields with only 2 mol % of photocatalyst after 24 h.

Remote C-H Amination and Alkylation of Camphor at C8 through Hydrogen-Atom Abstraction

Camphor continues to serve as a versatile chiral building block for chemical synthesis. We have developed a novel method to functionalize the camphor skeleton at C8 using an intramolecular hydrogen atom abstraction. The key advance involves the use of a camphor-derived aminonitrile, which is converted to the corresponding nitrogen-centered radical under photoredox conditions to effect the 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer at C8. The resulting carbon-centered radical at C8 was utilized in a C-H amination to access topologically complex proline derivatives. Furthermore, the total synthesis of several sesquiterpenoids was accomplished by engaging the radical generated at C8 in alkylation reactions.

Radical Cross Coupling and Enantioselective Protonation through Asymmetric Photoredox Catalysis

An unprecedented enantioselective protonation reaction enabled by photoredox catalytic radical coupling is developed. Under cooperative dicynopyrazine-derived chromophore (DPZ) as a photosensitizer and a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst, and Hantzsch ester as a sacrificial reductant, the transformations between α-substituted enones and cyanoazaarenes or 2-(chloromethyl)azaaren-1-iums can proceed a tandem reduction, radical coupling, and enantioselective protonation process efficiently. Two classes of pharmaceutically important enantioenriched azaarene variants, which contain a synthetically versatile ketone-substituted tertiary carbon stereocenter at the β- or γ-position of the azaarenes, are synthesized with high yields and ees.

Visible-Light-Mediated, Diastereoselective Epimerization of Exocyclic Amines

Stereoselective α-amino C-H epimerization of exocyclic amines is achieved via photoredox catalyzed, thiyl-radical mediated, reversible hydrogen atom transfer to provide thermodynamically controlled anti/syn isomer ratios. The method is applicable to different substituents and substitution patterns about aminocyclopentanes, aminocyclohexanes, and a N-Boc-3-aminopiperidine. The method also provided efficient epimerization for primary, alkyl and (hetero)aryl secondary, and tertiary exocyclic amines. Demonstration of reversible epimerization, deuterium labeling, and luminescence quenching provides insight into the reaction mechanism.

Photoinduced α-Aminoalkylation of Sulfonylarenes with Alkylamines

α-Aminoalkylation of sulfonylarenes with alkylamines was found to be induced by photoirradiation. Here various types of alkylamines, such as trialkylamines, dialkylamines, N,N-dialkylanilines and N-alkylanilines as well as sulfonylarenes containing an azole, azine, heterole or benzene ring are available. The reaction proceeds through a homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) process consisting of addition of an α-aminoalkyl radical to a sulfonylarene and elimination of the sulfonyl radical to give the α-arylalkylamine, where photoirradiation is considered to induce homolysis of sulfonylarenes leading to the generation of α-aminoalkyl radicals that make a radical chain operative.

Synthesis of Polycyclic Imidazoles via α-C-H/N-H Annulation of Alicyclic Amines

Secondary alicyclic amines are converted to their corresponding ring-fused imidazoles in a simple procedure consisting of oxidative imine formation followed by a van Leusen reaction. Amines with an existing α-substituent undergo regioselective ring-fusion at the α'-position. This method was utilized in a synthesis of fadrozole.

Photoredox-catalyzed diastereoselective dearomative prenylation and reverse-prenylation of electron-deficient indole derivatives

Prenylated and reverse-prenylated indolines are privileged scaffolds in numerous naturally occurring indole alkaloids with a broad spectrum of important biological properties. Development of straightforward and stereoselective methods to enable the synthesis of structurally diverse prenylated and reverse-prenylated indoline derivatives is highly desirable and challenging. In this context, the most direct approaches to achieve this goal generally rely on transition-metal-catalyzed dearomative allylic alkylation of electron-rich indoles. However, the electron-deficient indoles are much less explored, probably due to their diminished nucleophilicity. Herein, a photoredox-catalyzed tandem Giese radical addition/Ireland-Claisen rearrangement is disclosed. Diastereoselective dearomative prenylation and reverse-prenylation of electron-deficient indoles proceed smoothly under mild conditions. An array of tertiary α-silylamines as radical precursors is readily incorporated in 2,3-disubstituted indolines with high functional compatibility and excellent diastereoselectivity (>20:1 d.r.). The corresponding transformations of the secondary α-silylamines provide the biologically important lactam-fused indolines in one-pot synthesis. Subsequently, a plausible photoredox pathway is proposed based on control experiments. The preliminary bioactivity study reveals a potential anticancer property of these structurally appealing indolines.

Isotopic Fractionation as a Mechanistic Probe in Light-Driven C-H Bond Exchange Reactions

Here, we report a diagnostic framework for elucidating the mechanisms of photoredox-based hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) reactions based on hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) fractionation. Traditional thermal HIE methods generally proceed by reversible bond cleavage and bond reformation steps that share a common transition state. However, bond cleavage and bond reformation in light-driven HIE reactions can proceed via multiple, non-degenerate sets of elementary steps, complicating both mechanistic analysis and attendant optimization efforts. Building on classical treatments of equilibrium isotope effects, the fractionation method presented here extracts information regarding the nature of the key bond-forming and bond-breaking steps by comparing the extent of deuterium incorporation into an exchangeable C-H bond in the substrate relative to the H/D isotopic ratio of a solvent reservoir. We show that the extent of fractionation is sensitive to the mechanism of the exchange process and provides a means to distinguish between degenerate and non-degenerate mechanisms for isotopic exchange. In model systems, the mechanisms implied by the fractionation method align with those predicted by thermochemical considerations. We then employed the method to study HIE reactions whose mechanisms are ambiguous on thermodynamic grounds.

Photoredox Product Selectivity Controlled by Persistent Radical Stability

The use of photoredox catalysis for the synthesis of small organic molecules relies on harnessing and converting the energy in visible light to drive reactions. Specifically, photon energy is used to generate radical ion species that can be harnessed through subsequent reaction steps to form a desired product. Cyanoarenes are widely used as arylating agents in photoredox catalysis because of their stability as persistent radical anions. However, there are marked, unexplained variations in product yields when using different cyanoarenes. In this study, the quantum yield and product yield of an α-aminoarylation photoredox reaction between five cyanoarene coupling partners and N-phenylpyrrolidine were characterized. Significant discrepancies in cyanoarene consumption and product yield suggested a chemically irreversible, unproductive pathway in the reaction. Analysis of the side products in the reaction demonstrated the formation of species consistent with radical anion fragmentation. Electrochemical and computational methods were used to study the fragmentation of the different cyanoarenes and revealed a correlation between product yield and cyanoarene radical anion stability. Kinetic modeling of the reaction demonstrates that cross-coupling selectivity between N-phenylpyrrolidine and the cyanoarene is controlled by the same phenomenon present in the persistent radical effect.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Mannich Reactions of ß-Dicarbonyls by Second Stage Diastereoconvergent Crystallization

The synthesis of chiral α-monosubstituted-ß-dicarbonyls is a challenging task in asymmetric catalysis due to the rapid, typically uncontrolled, product racemization or epimerization under most reaction conditions. For this reason, diastereoselective additions of unsubstituted ß-dicarbonyls to π-electrophiles are unusual. Herein, we disclose a simple catalytic crystallization-driven enantio- and diastereoselective Mannich reaction for the synthesis of stereodefined α-monosubstituted-ß-keto esters, dissymmetric ß-diesters, dissymmetric ß-diketones, and ß-keto amides that productively leverages product epimerization in solution. Mechanistic studies suggest a scenario where the initial enantioselective, diastereodivergent skeletal assembly is catalyzed by a chiral tertiary amine organocatalyst, which then facilitates second stage crystallization-induced diastereoconvergence to provide the challenging α-stereocenter in excellent stereoselectivity.

B(C6F5)3-catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H alkylation of tertiary amines with 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones

The β-C-H functionalization of amines is one of the most powerful tools for the synthesis of saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles in organic synthesis. However, the β-C-H functionalization of amines via redox-neutral addition with cyclic-ketimines is still unprecedented. Herein, the β-C-H functionalization of tertiary amines is described, providing the corresponding 1,3-diamines containing the indolin-3-one moiety in high yields via the B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed borrowing hydrogen strategy. According to the experimental results, a possible catalytic cycle has been proposed to rationalize the process of this reaction. Notably, the β-C-H alkylation of amines is external oxidant- and transition-metal-free, which makes a significant contribution to promoting economical chemical synthesis.

Stereochemical editing logic powered by the epimerization of unactivated tertiary stereocenters

The stereoselective synthesis of complex targets requires the precise orchestration of chemical transformations that simultaneously establish the connectivity and spatial orientation of desired bonds. In this work, we describe a complementary paradigm for the synthesis of chiral molecules and their isomers, which tunes the three-dimensional structure of a molecule at a late stage. Key to the success of this strategy is the development of a mild and highly general photocatalytic method composed of decatungstate polyanion and disulfide cocatalysts, which enable the interconversion of unactivated tertiary stereogenic centers that were previously configurationally fixed. We showcase the versatility of this method-and the implementation of stereoediting logic-by the rapid construction of chiral scaffolds that would be challenging to access using existing tools and by the late-stage stereoediting of complex targets.

Visible Light-Mediated, Diastereoselective Epimerization of Morpholines and Piperazines to More Stable Isomers

We report a photocatalyzed epimerization of morpholines and piperazines that proceeds by reversible hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and provides an efficient strategy for editing the stereochemical configurations of these saturated nitrogen heterocycles, which are prevalent in drugs. The more stable morpholine and piperazine isomers are obtained from the more synthetically accessible but less stable stereoisomers, and a broad scope is demonstrated in terms of substitution patterns and functional group compatibility. The observed distributions of diastereomers correlate well with the relative energies of the diastereomer pairs as determined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Mechanistic studies, including luminescence quenching, deuterium labeling reactions, and determination of reversibility support a thiyl radical mediated HAT pathway for the epimerization of morpholines. Investigation of piperazine epimerization established that the mechanism is more complex and led to the development of thiol free conditions for the highly stereoselective epimerization of N,N'-dialkyl piperazines for which a previously unrecognized radical chain HAT mechanism is proposed.

Regioselective α-Cyanation of Unprotected Alicyclic Amines

Secondary alicyclic amines are converted to α-aminonitriles via addition of TMSCN to their corresponding imines, intermediates that are produced in situ via the oxidation of amine-derived lithium amides with simple ketone oxidants. Amines with an existing α-substituent undergo regioselective α'-cyanation even if the C-H bonds at that site are less activated. Amine α-arylation can be combined with α'-cyanation to generate difunctionalized products in a single operation.

Cascade of C(sp2)-H Addition to Carbonyl and C(sp2)-CN/C(sp2)-H Coupling Enabled by Brønsted Acid: Construction of Benzo[a]carbazole Frameworks

Herein, we report an unprecedented cascade reaction of C(sp²)-H addition to carbonyl and the C(sp²)-CN/C(sp²)-H coupling of 2-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)benzonitriles with indoles enabled by commercially available TsOH·H₂O. The protocol represents the first metal-free C(sp²)-CN/C(sp²)-H coupling, affording a new route for the synthesis of various benzo[a]carbazole derivatives with a broad substrate scope, high yields, and simple conditions.

Catalytic Asymmetric Reductive Azaarylation of Olefins via Enantioselective Radical Coupling

Visible-light-driven photocatalytic reductive azaarylation has been widely used to construct the important imine-containing azaarene derivatives. In addition to the direct use of various commercially available cyanoazaarenes as feedstocks, the synthetic advantages include precise regioselectivity, high efficiency, mild reaction conditions, and good functional group tolerance. However, although many efficient reductive azaarylation methods have been established, the example of an enantioselective manner is still unmet, which most likely can be ascribed to the highly reactive radical coupling as the key step of forming stereocenters. Exploring the feasibility of enantiocontrol thus constitutes an attractive but highly challenging task. Here, we demonstrate that chiral hydrogen-bonding/photosensitizer catalysis is a viable platform as it enables the realization of the first enantioselective manifold. A variety of acyclic and cyclic enones as the reaction partners are compatible with the dual catalyst system, leading to a wide array of valuable enantioenriched azaarene variants with high yields and ees. Regulating the types of chiral catalysts represents one of the important manners to success, in which several readily accessible Cinchona alkaloid-derived bifunctional catalysts are introduced in asymmetric photochemical reactions.

Visible-Light-Induced α,γ-C(sp3)-H Difunctionalization of Piperidines

Herein, we describe a novel protocol for visible-light-induced α,γ-C(sp³)-H difunctionalization of piperidines. This redox-neutral, atom-economical protocol, which exhibits a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility, constitutes a concise, practical method for constructing piperidine-containing bridged-ring molecules. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that highly regioselective activation of the inert γ-C(sp³)-H bond of piperidines was achieved through a 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer reaction of a nitrogen radical generated in situ.

Synthesis of Polycyclic Isoindolines via α-C-H/N-H Annulation of Alicyclic Amines

Relatively unstable cyclic imines, generated in situ from their corresponding alicyclic amines via oxidation of their lithium amides with simple ketone oxidants, engage aryllithium compounds containing a leaving group on an ortho-methylene functionality to provide polycyclic isoindolines in a single operation. The scope of this transformation includes pyrrolidine, piperidine, azepane, azocane, and piperazines.

A Change from Kinetic to Thermodynamic Control Enables trans-Selective Stereochemical Editing of Vicinal Diols

Here, we report the selective, catalytic isomerization of cis-1,2-diols to trans-diequatorial-1,2-diols. The method employs triphenylsilanethiol (Ph₃SiSH) as a catalyst and proceeds under mild conditions in the presence of a photoredox catalyst and under blue light irradiation. The method is highly chemoselective, broadly functional group tolerant and provides concise access to trans-diol products which are not readily obtained using other methods. Mechanistic studies reveal that isomerization proceeds through a reversible hydrogen atom transfer pathway mediated by the silanethiol catalyst.

Late-Stage N-Me Selective Arylation of Trialkylamines Enabled by Ni/Photoredox Dual Catalysis

The diversity and wide availability of trialkylamines render them ideal sources for rapid construction of complex amine architectures. Herein, we report that a nickel/photoredox dual catalysis strategy affects site-selective α-arylation of various trialkylamines. Our catalytic system shows exclusive N-Me selectivity with a wide range of trialkylamines under mild conditions, even in the context of late-stage arylation of pharmaceutical compounds bearing this common structural motif. Mechanistic studies indicate the unconventional behavior of Ni catalyst upon intercepting the α-amino radicals, in which only the primary α-amino radical undergoes a successful cross-coupling process.

Radical Trifluoroacetylation of Alkenes Triggered by a Visible-Light-Promoted C-O Bond Fragmentation of Trifluoroacetic Anhydride

We report a mild and operationally simple trifluoroacylation strategy of olefines, that utilizes trifluoroacetic anhydride as a low‐cost and readily available reagent. This light‐mediated process is fundamentally different from conventional methodologies and occurs through a trifluoroacyl radical mechanism promoted by a photocatalyst, which triggers a C−O bond fragmentation. Mechanistic studies (kinetic isotope effects, spectroelectrochemistry, optical spectroscopy, theoretical investigations) highlight the evidence of a fleeting CF₃CO radical under photoredox conditions. The trifluoroacyl radical can be stabilized under CO atmosphere, delivering the trifluoroacetylation product with higher chemical efficiency. Furthermore, the method can be turned into a trifluoromethylation protocol by simply changing the reaction parameters. Beyond simple alkenes, this method allows for chemo‐ and regioselective functionalization of small‐molecule drugs and common pharmacophores.

Photoredox-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization Reactions

The fields of C-H functionalization and photoredox catalysis have garnered enormous interest and utility in the past several decades. Many different scientific disciplines have relied on C-H functionalization and photoredox strategies including natural product synthesis, drug discovery, radiolabeling, bioconjugation, materials, and fine chemical synthesis. In this Review, we highlight the use of photoredox catalysis in C-H functionalization reactions. We separate the review into inorganic/organometallic photoredox catalysts and organic-based photoredox catalytic systems. Further subdivision by reaction class-either sp² or sp³ C-H functionalization-lends perspective and tactical strategies for use of these methods in synthetic applications.

α,α'-C-H Bond Difunctionalization of Unprotected Alicyclic Amines

A simple one-pot procedure enables the sequential, regioselective, and diastereoselective introduction of the same or two different substituents to the α- and α'-positions of unprotected azacycles. Aryl, alkyl, and alkenyl substituents are introduced via their corresponding organolithium compounds. The scope of this transformation includes pyrrolidines, piperidines, azepanes, and piperazines.

Mechanistic Investigations of an α-Aminoarylation Photoredox Reaction

While photoredox catalysis continues to transform modern synthetic chemistry, detailed mechanistic studies involving direct observation of reaction intermediates and rate constants are rare. By use of a combination of steady state photochemical measurements, transient laser spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods, an α-aminoarylation mechanism that is the inspiration for a large number of photoredox reactions was rigorously characterized. Despite high product yields, the external quantum yield (QY) of the reaction remained low (15-30%). By use of transient absorption spectroscopy, productive and unproductive reaction pathways were identified and rate constants assigned to develop a comprehensive mechanistic picture of the reaction. The role of the cyanoarene, 1,4-dicyanobenzne, was found to be unexpectedly complex, functioning both as initial proton acceptor in the reaction and as a neutral stabilizer for the 1,4-dicyanobenzene radical anion. Finally, kinetic modeling was utilized to analyze the reaction at an unprecedented level of understanding. This modeling demonstrated that the reaction is limited not by the kinetics of the individual steps but instead by scattering losses and parasitic absorption by a photochemically inactive donor-acceptor complex.

α-C-H/N-H Annulation of Alicyclic Amines via Transient Imines: Preparation of Polycyclic Lactams

Polycyclic lactams are prepared in a single operation from o-toluamides and cyclic amines in a process that involves transient cyclic imines, species that are conveniently obtained in situ from the corresponding lithium amides and simple ketone oxidants. Imines thus generated, such as 1-pyrroline and 1-piperideine, engage lithiated o-toluamides in a facile annulation process. Undesired side reactions such as imine deprotonation and o-toluamide dimerization are suppressed through the judicious choice of reaction conditions.

Rhodium-Catalyzed C-H Alkenylation/Electrocyclization Cascade Provides Dihydropyridines That Serve as Versatile Intermediates to Diverse Nitrogen Heterocycles

Nitrogen heterocycles are present in approximately 60% of drugs, with nonplanar heterocycles incorporating stereogenic centers being of considerable interest to the fields of medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and synthetic methods development. Over the past several years, our laboratory has developed synthetic strategies to access highly functionalized nitrogen heterocycles with multiple stereogenic centers. This approach centers on the efficient preparation of diverse 1,2-dihydropyridines by a Rh-catalyzed C-H bond alkenylation/electrocyclization cascade from readily available α,β-unsaturated imines and alkynes. The often densely substituted 1,2-dihydropyridine products have proven to be extremely versatile intermediates that can be elaborated with high regioselectivity and stereoselectivity, often without purification or even isolation. Protonation or alkylation followed by addition of hydride or carbon nucleophiles affords tetrahydropyridines with divergent regioselectivity and stereoselectivity depending on the reaction conditions. Mechanistic experiments in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide a rationale for the high level of regiocontrol and stereocontrol that is observed. Further elaboration of the tetrahydropyridines by diastereoselective epoxidation and regioselective ring opening furnishes hydroxy-substituted piperidines. Alternatively, piperidines can be obtained directly from dihydropyridines by catalytic hydrogenation in good yields with high face selectivity.When trimethylsilyl alkynes or N-trimethylsilylmethyl imines are employed as starting inputs, the Rh-catalyzed C-H bond alkenylation/electrocyclization cascade provides silyl-substituted dihydropyridines that enable a host of new and useful transformations to different heterocycle classes. Protonation of these products under acidic conditions triggers the loss of the silyl group and the formation of unstabilized azomethine ylides that would be difficult to access by other means. Depending on the location of the silyl group, [3 + 2] cycloaddition of the azomethine ylides with dipolarophiles provides tropane or indolizidine privileged frameworks, which for intramolecular cycloadditions yield complex polycyclic products with up to five contiguous stereogenic centers. When different types of conditions are employed, loss of the silyl group can result in either rearrangement to cyclopropyl-fused pyrrolidines or to aminocyclopentadienes. Mechanistic experiments supported by DFT calculations provide reaction pathways for these unusual rearrangements.The transformations described in this Account are amenable to natural product synthesis and drug discovery applications because of the biological relevance of the structural motifs that are prepared, short reaction sequences that rely on readily available starting inputs, high regiocontrol and stereocontrol, and excellent functional group compatibility. For example, the methods have been applied to efficient asymmetric syntheses of morphinan drugs, including the opioid antagonist (-)-naltrexone, which is extensively used for the treatment of drug abuse.

Discrepancy between Proline and Homoproline in Chiral Recognition and Diastereomeric Photoreactivity with Iridium(III) Complexes

The chiral-recognition processes of homoproline (hpro) and [Ir(pq)₂(MeCN)₂](PF₆) (pq is 2-phenylquinoline; MeCN is acetonitrile) are investigated, in favor of formation of the thermodynamically stable diastereomers Λ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)]. Moreover, the diastereoselective photoreactions of Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)] are reported in the presence of O₂ at room temperature. Diastereomer Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)] is dehydrogenatively oxidized into imino acid complex Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(hpro-2H²)] (hpro-2H² is 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropicalinate), while diastereomer Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] occurs by interligand C-N cross-coupling and dehydrogenative oxidation reactions, affording three products: Δ-[Ir(pq)(d-pqh)] [pqh is N-(2-phenylquinolin-8-yl)homoproline], Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(hpro-2H²)], and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro-2H⁶)] [hpro-2H⁶ is 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropicalinate]. The C-N cross-coupling and dehydrogenative oxidation reactions are competitive, and the dehydrogenative oxidation reactions are regioselective. By optimization of the photoreaction parameters such as the diastereomeric substrate, solvent, and temperature as well as base, each possible competitive product is selectively controlled. In addition, density functional theory calculations are performed to elucidate the distinctly chiral recognition between proline and hpro with an iridium(III) complex.

Synthesis of Chiral Amines by C–C Bond Formation with Photoredox Catalysis

Chiral amines are key substructures of biologically active natural products and drug candidates. The advent of photoredox catalysis has changed the way synthetic chemists think about building these substructures, opening new pathways that were previously unavailable. New developments in this area are reviewed, with an emphasis on C–C bond constructions involving radical intermediates generated through photoredox processes.

1 Introduction

2 Radical–Radical Coupling of α-Amino Radicals

2.1 Radical–Radical Coupling Involving Amine Oxidation

2.2 Radical–Radical Coupling Involving Imine Reduction

2.3 Couplings Involving both Amine Oxidation and Imine Reduction

3 Addition Reactions of α-Amino Radicals

3.1 Conjugate Additions of α-Amino Radicals

3.2 Addition of α-Amino Radicals to Heteroaromatic Systems

3.3 Cross Coupling via Additions to Transition Metal Complexes

4 Radical Addition to C=N Bonds Using Photoredox Catalysis

4.1 Intramolecular Radical Addition to C=N Bonds

4.2 Intermolecular Radical Addition to C=N Bonds

5 Conclusion

α-C-H Bond Functionalization of Unprotected Alicyclic Amines: Lewis-Acid-Promoted Addition of Enolates to Transient Imines

Enolizable cyclic imines, obtained in situ from their corresponding lithium amides by oxidation with simple ketone oxidants, are readily alkylated with a range of enolates to provide mono- and polycyclic β-aminoketones in a single operation, including the natural product (±)-myrtine. Nitrile anions also serve as competent nucleophiles in these transformations, which are promoted by BF3 etherate. β-Aminoesters derived from ester enolates can be converted to the corresponding β-lactams.

Diversification of Unprotected Alicyclic Amines by C-H Bond Functionalization: Decarboxylative Alkylation of Transient Imines

Despite extensive efforts by many practitioners in the field, methods for the direct α-C-H bond functionalization of unprotected alicyclic amines remain rare. A new advance in this area utilizes N-lithiated alicyclic amines. These readily accessible intermediates are converted to transient imines through the action of a simple ketone oxidant, followed by alkylation with a β-ketoacid under mild conditions to provide valuable β-amino ketones with unprecedented ease. Regioselective α'-alkylation is achieved for substrates with existing α-substituents. The method is further applicable to the convenient one-pot synthesis of polycyclic dihydroquinolones through the incorporation of a SN Ar step.

Recent advances in the functionalization of saturated cyclic amines

Functionalized cyclic amines are the essential structural moieties of numerous biologically active compounds. This review summarized the most recent advances in the C–H, C–N and C–C bond functionalization of saturated cyclic amines.

General Light-Mediated, Highly Diastereoselective Piperidine Epimerization: From Most Accessible to Most Stable Stereoisomer

We report a combined photocatalytic and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) approach for the light-mediated epimerization of readily accessible piperidines to provide the more stable diastereomer with high selectivity. The generality of the transformation was explored for a large variety of di- to tetrasubstituted piperidines with aryl, alkyl, and carboxylic acid derivatives at multiple different sites. Piperidines without substitution on nitrogen as well as N-alkyl and aryl derivatives were effective epimerization substrates. The observed diastereoselectivities correlate with the calculated relative stabilities of the isomers. Demonstration of reaction reversibility, luminescence quenching, deuterium labeling studies, and quantum yield measurements provide information about the mechanism.

Traceless Redox-Annulations of Alicyclic Amines

Amines such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline undergo redox-neutral annulations with ortho-(nitromethyl)benzaldehyde. Benzoic acid acts as a promoter in these reactions, which involve concurrent amine α-C-H bond and N-H bond functionalization. Subsequent removal of the nitro group provides access to tetrahydroprotoberberines not accessible via typical redox-annulations. Also reported are decarboxylative annulations of ortho-(nitromethyl)benzaldehyde with proline and pipecolic acid.

Ring-opening functionalizations of unstrained cyclic amines enabled by difluorocarbene transfer

Chemical synthesis based on the skeletal variation has been prolifically utilized as an attractive approach for modification of molecular properties. Given the ubiquity of unstrained cyclic amines, the ability to directly alter such motifs would grant an efficient platform to access unique chemical space. Here, we report a highly efficient and practical strategy that enables the selective ring-opening functionalization of unstrained cyclic amines. The use of difluorocarbene leads to a wide variety of multifaceted acyclic architectures, which can be further diversified to a range of distinctive homologative cyclic scaffolds. The virtue of this deconstructive strategy is demonstrated by successful modification of several natural products and pharmaceutical analogues.