Visible-Light-Induced C-H Cyanoalkylation of Azauracils with Cycloketone Oxime Esters via Catalytic EDA Complex

Photoexcitation electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes provide an effective approach to produce radicals under mild conditions, while the catalytic version of EDA complex photoactivation remains scarce. Herein, we report a visible-light-induced organophotocatalytic pathway for the cyanoalkylation of azauracils using inexpensive and readily available 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a catalytic electron donor. This synthetic method exhibits exceptional compatibility with various functional groups and presents 34 examples in high yields. The efficient cyanoalkylation offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable route toward enhancing the structural and functional diversity of azauracils.

Lead-free Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite microcrystals for effective visible-light photocatalytic thio/selenocyanation

Lead-free perovskite microcrystals (MCs) have been regarded as promising potential photocatalysts, owing to their high molar extinction coefficient, low economic cost, adjustable light absorption range, and ample surface-active sites. Herein, C-3 thio/selenocyanation of indoles is demonstrated in high selectivity and yield by using lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 MCs under visible light irradiation. Moreover, the photocatalyst can be recycled at least 5 times without a significant decrease in catalytic activity.

Visible-light-driven EDA complex-promoted cascade cyclization to construct 4-cyanoalkyl isoquinoline-1,3-diones

Visible-light-induced EDA complex-promoted ring-opening of cycloketone oxime esters to synthesise various cyanoalkylated products with N-methacryloyl benzamides was developed. Various radical receptors were compatible with the current reaction system to furnish diverse heterocyclic compounds. Mechanistic analysis shows that the formation of an EDA complex was crucial to the photocatalytic strategy. Importantly, 4-cyanoalkyl isoquinoline-1,3-diones were obtained in high yields by using a catalytic amount of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) through prolonging the reaction time, which provided a practical approach to give a variety of isoquinoline-1,3-dione derivatives.

Neutral nickel-catalyzed dehydrosulfonylation of unactivated allylic alcohols under mild conditions

Allyl sulfones are important sulfur-containing compounds that have widespread applications in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and materials science. Herein, nickel-catalysed dehydrosulfonylation of unactivated allyl alcohols with aryl sulfonyl hydrazides without additional active agents under mild conditions was developed. A variety of functional allyl sulfones could be efficiently synthesized in the presence of air-stable Ni(acac)2 as the catalyst and 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (DPPF) as the ligand.

Visible-light-induced decarboxylative cascade cyclization of acryloylbenzamides with N-hydroxyphthalimide esters via EDA complexes

A visible-light-induced decarboxylative cascade reaction of acryloylbenzamides with alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHP) esters for the synthesis of various 4-alkyl isoquinolinediones mediated by triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and sodium iodide (NaI) was developed. This operationally simple protocol proceeded via the photoactivation of electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes between N-hydroxyphthalimide esters and NaI/PPh3, resulting in multiple carbon-carbon bond formations without the use of precious metal complexes or synthetically elaborate organic dyes, which provided an alternative practical approach to synthesize diverse isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives.

Visible-light-enabled cascade cross-dehydrogenative-coupling/cyclization to construct α-chromone substituted α-amino acid derivatives

Organophotocatalytic cascade cross-dehydrogenative-coupling/cyclization reaction of o-hydroxyarylenaminones with α-amino acid derivatives for the construction of α-chromone substituted α-amino acid derivatives was developed. Various N-arylglycine esters, amides and dipeptides underwent the cascade cyclization reaction well with o-hydroxyarylenaminones to afford the corresponding 3-aminoalkyl chromones in good to excellent yields. This approach consists of visible-light-promoted oxidation of α-amino acid derivatives, the Mannich reaction, and intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization under acidic conditions, and features a wide reaction scope, a simple operation and mild reaction conditions, which may have the potential to be used for the synthesis of bioactive molecules.

Nickel-catalyzed sulfonylative coupling of 2-chlorobenzothiazoles with sulfinates at room temperature

An efficient nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling for the synthesis of 2-sulfonylthiazoles from readily available 2-chlorobenzothiazoles and sodium sulfinates has been developed. A variety of 2-chlorobenzothiazoles and sulfinates having a diverse range of substitution patterns can undergo the coupling process successfully at room temperature. Avoiding the use of precious catalysts and sensitive ligands, moderate to excellent yields of various 2-sulfonylthiazoles were observed.

Combining Enzyme and Photoredox Catalysis for the Construction of 3-Aminoalkyl Chromones

Herein, we reported a practical and efficient strategy combining photoredox and enzyme catalysis for the construction of 3-aminoalkyl chromones from o-hydroxyaryl enaminones and N-arylglycine esters. A variety of 3-aminoalkyl chromones were synthesized with good yields under mild conditions in one pot. This synthetic protocol consists of sequential enzymatic hydrolysis and photoredox decarboxylation of N-arylglycine esters, oxidation of aminoalkyl radicals, Mannich reaction, and intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization, which affords a convenient pathway for the preparation of various 3-substituted chromones.

Copper-assisted preparation of pyridinyl sulfonate esters from hydroxypyridines and sodium sulfinates

An efficient and powerful copper-assisted method for the effective conversion of a broad range of hydroxypyridines and sodium sulfinates into their corresponding pyridinyl tosylates was developed. Key features of this base- and ligand-free protocol include using the cheap and readily available CuBr₂ as a medium and the use of sodium sulfinates as formal sulfonylation reagents. A variety of functional pyridinyl tosylates could be formed with good yields, which can easily be converted into C-C and C-N bond-containing compounds.

Highly Efficient Copper-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross-Coupling of Azoles with α-Amino Carbonyl Compounds

A novel and highly efficient dehydrogenative cross-coupling­ reaction between α-amino carbonyl compounds and azoles by copper catalysis using di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as an oxidant is described­. A diverse range of azoles undergo the dehydrogenative imidoylation smoothly with various α-amino carbonyl compounds for the exclusive formation of the corresponding N-imidoyl azoles in high yields under air. The synthetic method has the advantages of good functional-group tolerance, wide substrate scope, excellent yields, and simple operation­, thus providing a convenient and practical protocol for the synthesis of functionalized azoles.

Visible-Light-Induced Dehydrogenative Imidoylation of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with α-Amino Acid Derivatives and α-Amino Ketones

A new and efficient visible-light-promoted dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with α-amino carbonyl compounds toward imidoyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines is developed. A diverse range of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines undergoes the dehydrogenative imidoylation smoothly with α-amino carbonyl compounds to access the corresponding products in satisfactory yields. We have also proposed the possible reaction mechanism based on preliminary mechanistic studies. The synthetic method has the advantages of wide substrate scope, good functional tolerance, and mild reaction conditions, which make this transformation more practical and sustainable.

Efficient biocatalytic strategy for one-pot Biginelli reaction via enhanced specific effects of microwave in a circulating reactor

A one-pot efficient biocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones was developed in a circulating microwave reactor selecting α-chymotrypsin as the promiscuous biocatalyst. In the circulating reaction system, the combination of microwave heating and external cooling could avoid the denaturation and inactivation of enzyme, and greatly improved the radiation power of microwave, thus improving the specific effects of microwave. During the reaction process, the microwave radiation power was automatically adjusted by adjusting the speed of the reaction mixture circulation. When the microwave power was maintained at 110 W, the best results could be obtained with the highest yield of 96% at 55 °C in 50 min, and the reaction had a wide range of substrates. But no obvious product was detected in a tank microwave reactor at 55 °C for 100 min, under this condition, the microwave power was maintained at about 3 W. As a contrast, the reaction only obtained 63% yield in 55 °C oil bath for 96 h.

Organic Reactions in Ionic Liquids: An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Aryl Sulfones by Alkylation of Sodium Arenesulfinates with Alkyl Halides

An ionic liquid based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BmimBF4) is used as a reusable reaction medium for the alkylation of sodium arenesulfinates with alkyl halides. This procedure is convenient, efficient and generally gives rise to the S-alkylated product with high selectivity when applied to active halides.

Organic reactions in ionic liquids: N-alkylation of cyclic imides with alkyl halides promoted by potassium fluoride

An ionic liquid based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate is used as an efficient reusable reaction medium in the N-alkylation of cyclic imides with alkyl halides promoted by fluoride ion.

Organic Reactions in Ionic Liquids: An Efficient Method for the N-Alkylation of Benzotriazole

The N-alkylation of benzotriazole with alkyl halides proceeds efficiently in the presence of potassium hydroxide in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]).

Photocatalyst-free decarboxylative aminoalkylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with N-aryl glycines enabled by visible light

A novel, green and efficient visible-light-promoted decarboxylative aminoalkylation reaction of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with N-aryl glycines has been described.

Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling Reaction of N-Arylglycine Esters with Imides or Amides for Synthesis of α-Substituted α-Amino Acid Esters

A simple and highly efficient cross-dehydrogenative-­coupling (CDC) reaction between N-aryl glycine esters and imides or amides by the catalysis of a copper salt without the requirement of ­peroxide agents is described. The novel reaction provides a facile ­approach for the synthesis of α-substituted α-amino acid esters through C–H/N–H oxidative cross-coupling. A possible mechanism for the CDC reaction by using copper as a catalyst and air as the terminal oxidant is also proposed. This synthetic approach has the advantages of good yields, simple operation and mild reaction conditions.

A Highly Efficient Copper(II)-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling Reaction of N-Arylglycine Esters with 2-Arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

A rapid and highly efficient copper(II)-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction of N-arylglycine esters with imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been described. A broad range of N-arylglycine esters underwent the CDC reaction smoothly with 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines to give α-substituted α-amino acid esters in excellent yields. This synthetic method has the advantages of high yields, good functional groups compatibility, simple operation, and mild reaction conditions. A possible mechanism for the CDC reaction is also proposed. The use of a copper salt as the catalyst and air as the terminal oxidant makes this transformation sustainable and practical.

Facile synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes catalyzed by α-chymotrypsin

A mild and efficient method catalyzed by α-chymotrypsin was developed for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes through a cascade process between indole and aromatic aldehydes. In the ethanol aqueous solution, a green medium, a wide range of aromatic aldehydes could react with indole to afford the desired products with moderate to good yields (from 68% to 95%) using a little α-chymotrypsin as catalyst.

One-pot synthesis of 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridines from acetophenone, [Bmim]Br(3) and 2-aminopyridine under solvent-free conditions

One-pot synthesis of 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridines from acetophenone, [Bmim]Br₃ and 2-aminopyridine under solvent-free conditions in the presence of Na₂CO₃, gave the corresponding 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyridines in excellent yields ranging from 72% to 89%.

Catalyst-free and solvent-free Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes by a grinding method

An environmentally benign, fast and convenient protocol has been developed for the Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to β-nitroalkenes in good to excellent yields by a grinding method under catalyst- and solvent-free conditions.

3-(4-{3,3,4,4,5,5-Hexafluoro-2-[5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-3-thienyl]cyclopent-1-enyl}-5-methyl-2-thienyl)benzonitrile

The title compound, C₂₉H₁₉F₆NOS₂, is a new unsymmetrical photochromic diarylethene derivative with different meta-phenyl substituents. The distance between the two reactive (i.e. can be irradiated to form a new chemical bond) C atoms is 3.501 (4) Å; the dihedral angles between the mean plane of the main central cyclo­pentene ring and the thio­phene rings are 47.7 (5) and 45.1 (2)°, and those between the thio­phene rings and the adjacent benzene rings are 29.4 (2) and 28.4 (3)°. The three C atoms and the F atoms of hexa­fuorocyclo­pentene ring are disordered over two positions, with site-occupancy factors of 0.751 (4) and 0.249 (4).

1,2-Bis[5-(2,2'-dicyano-vinyl)-2-n-pentyl-3-thien-yl]-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexa-fluoro-cyclo-pent-1-ene: a new photochromic diaryl-ethene compound

The title compound, C(31)H(26)F(6)N(4)S(2), is a new photochromic dithienylethene with dicyano-vinyl subsitituents. In the crystal structure, the mol-ecule adopts a photoactive anti-parallel conformation, with two n-pentyl groups located on opposite sides of the cyclo-pentene ring. The cyclo-pentene ring assumes an envelope conformation. The distance between the two reactive C atoms on the thio-phene rings is 3.834 (7) Å. One of the n-pentyl groups is disordered over two positions; the site occupancy factors are ca 0.7 and 0.3.