Electrochemical synthesis of isobenzofuran-1-imines using oxidative halocyclization of o-alkynylbenzamides

Electrochemical Cyclization of 2,3-Allenols

An efficient electrochemical bromocyclization of allenols has been realized for the synthesis of spirocyclic 2,5-dihydrofurans. The reaction used commercially available and nontoxic KBr as the brominating source in a simple setup under open-air conditions. Notably, optically active products can be obtained from optically active 2,3-allenols without any racemization, further enhancing the synthetic utility.

Electrochemical Oxidative Carbonylation of NH-Sulfoximines

The electrochemical synthesis of N-aroylsulfoximines features the use of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI) as the medium and a broad substrate scope, thus affording a wide range of N-aroylated sulfoximines in moderate to good yields. The advantages of this electrochemical strategy are augmented by mild reaction conditions that are external oxidant-free, ligand-free, and easy to scale up to gram scale. Both the control experiments and the mechanistic studies revealed that the whole electrochemical process proceeded through a palladium (II/IV/II) catalytic cycle.

A facile synthesis of phthalimides from o-phthalaldehyde and amines via tandem cyclocondensation and α-C-H oxidation by an electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction

Electrochemical synthesis of phthalimides from o-phthalaldehyde and amines via tandem cyclocondensation and α-C-H oxygenation of isoindolinone was achieved. The α-C-H oxidation proceeded with molecular oxygen via an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode under electrochemical conditions. The synthetic utility of this protocol was successfully demonstrated by employing gram-scale synthesis and obtaining bioactive molecules such as thalidomide and 2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-5-hydroxyisoindoline-1,3-dione. Mechanistic studies and control experiments indicate that molecular oxygen provides oxygen atoms for the reaction.

Selective Electrochemical Halogenation of Functionalized Quinolone

This work describes an effective C3-H halogenation of quinoline-4(1H)-ones under electrochemical conditions, in which potassium halides serve as both halogenating agents and electrolytes. The protocol provides expedient access to different halogenated quinoline-4(1H)-ones with unique regioselectivity, broad substrate scope, and gram-scale synthesis employing convenient, environmentally friendly electrolysis, in an undivided cell. Mechanism studies have shown that halogen radicals can promote the activation of N-H bonds in quinolones.

Electrochemical reductive cascade cyclization of o-alkynylated derivatives for saturated amides/amines

An unprecedented reductive hydroamidative/hydroquinazolinative cascade cyclization of o-alkynylated derivatives was achieved via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) under electrolysis. In a single step, the rapid assembly of isoindolinones and novel isoindole-fused quinazolinones were achieved through electrolysis by the hydroamidation of amidyl/quinazolinone aminyl radicals with C-C triple bond addition via 5-exo-dig cyclization followed by olefinic reduction without external reductants. Control and cyclic voltammetry experiments support a mechanistic explanation of the electrochemical cascade, and these experiments indicate that the electrolyte is the source of hydrogen for the olefin reduction.

Electrochemical 5-exo-dig aza-cyclization of 2-alkynylbenzamides toward 3-hydroxyisoindolinone derivatives

Preparation of biologically relevant 3-hydroxyisoindolinones from readily available 2-alkynylbenzamides is an appealing synthetic approach. However, such kinds of compounds preferably undergo O-attacked 5-exo-dig/6-endo-dig cyclizations. Herein, we report an electrochemically generated amidyl radical proceeding via a highly selective N-attacked 5-exo-dig radical cyclization to form 3-hydroxyisoindolinone derivatives. This reaction features simple operation, good selectivity, and broad substrate scope. Moreover, gram-scale preparation and synthetic elaborations imply the potential applicability of this protocol for the synthesis of diverse isoindolinone derivatives.

Controlled Photochemical Synthesis of Substituted Isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones, 3-Hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones, and Phthalimides via Amidyl Radical Cyclization Cascade

We report a controlled radical cyclization cascade of isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones, 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones, and phthalimides from o-alkynylated benzamides by metal-free photoredox catalyzed amidyl N-centered radical addition to the C-C triple bond using the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process under mild reaction conditions. A time tunable synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones and phthalimides via β-carbonyl-C(sp³) bond cleavage was also achieved under visible light irradiation. A mechanistic rationale for the radical cyclization cascade is supported by various control and quenching experiments as well as EPR studies.