Generation of Alkyl Radicals: From the Tyranny of Tin to the Photon Democracy

2.1. Formation of a C(sp³)-C(sp³) Bond

2.1.1. Addition to C–C Double Bonds: Hydroalkylations

Many reactions belonging to this class involve the nucleophilic alkyl radical addition onto an electrophilic Michael acceptor, resulting in a formal hydroalkylation of the double bond viz. the incorporation of an alkyl group (in position β with respect to the EWG group in the starting unsaturated compound) and a hydrogen atom (in position α). This reaction is usually one of the first that many authors would test during the discovery process of a new radical precursor, as testified by the plethora of reagents that are used in this transformation. Photoredox catalysis is by far the preferred approach here, especially by using the oxidation of a negatively charged precursor (oxidative pathway in Figure ​Figure22B).

A typical example is the oxidation of carboxylates^138,139 that releases an alkyl radical via CO₂ loss from the carboxyl radical intermediate (Scheme 1). Adamantylation of both acrylonitrile (Scheme 1a)¹⁴⁰ and dimethyl 2-ethylidenemalonate starting from adamantane carboxylic acid 1-1 (Scheme 1b)¹⁴¹ were carried out following this strategy. In the former case, the authors employed 1,4-dicyanonaphthalene (DCN) as the POC under UV light irradiation, while visible light and an Ir^III complex in the latter case. The approach used in Scheme 1b was also useful for the three steps preparation of the medicinal agent (±)-pregabalin.¹⁴¹ Also, the Fukuzumi catalyst (9-mesitylene-10-methylacridinium perchlorate, [Acr⁺Mes]ClO₄) can promote this Giese-type reaction,¹⁴² allowing the alkylation of α-aryl ethenylphosphonates for the synthesis of fosmidomycin analogues.¹⁴³

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Scheme 1

Different Strategies for the Decarboxylative Adamantylation of Electron-Poor Alkenes

A variation of this procedure is the decarboxylative-decarbonylative process occurring on an α-keto acid 2-1 under sunlight-driven photoredox catalyzed reaction conditions (Scheme 2).¹²⁵

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Scheme 2

Decarboxylative-Decarbonylation of an α-Keto Acid

Oxalates are another class of electron-donors having two carboxylate moieties that can be lost upon photocatalyzed oxidation. These species may be introduced in situ by reaction of the alcohol with oxalyl chloride. The process induced the cleavage of a C–O bond, and the resulting radical could be trapped by butenolide 3–1 to form the menthyl derivative 3–2 used for the enantioselective preparation of cheloviolene A (3–3, Scheme 3).¹⁴⁴ An Ir^III-based photocatalyst efficiently promoted the reaction also in this case, allowing the synthesis of quaternary centers⁸⁹ and the total synthesis of trans-clerodane diterpenoids.¹⁴⁵

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Scheme 3

Enantioselective Preparation of Cheloviolene A

Alkyl trifluoroborates stand out as another important class of easily oxidizable moieties.¹⁴⁶ The photocatalyzed oxidation of these salts (e.g., 4–1) causes the smooth release of BF₃ and the formation of the reactive alkyl radical. Such a reaction was employed to functionalize Michael acceptors under sunlight irradiation (Scheme 4a) exploiting Acr⁺Mes as the POC.¹⁴⁷ Complexation of 4–4 by a chiral rhodium complex (Λ-RhS, Scheme 4b) delivered 4–5 in good yields with 97% ee.¹⁴⁸

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Scheme 4

Visible and Solar Light Photocatalyzed Functionalization of Michael Acceptors with Alkyl Trifluoroborate Salts

This synthetic strategy can be extended to neutral boronic acids or esters, upon in situ activation by a Lewis base (LB). The so formed negatively charged species is consequently more prone to oxidation, which eventually will provide the formation of the alkyl radicals. A typical example is illustrated in Scheme 5 where the boronic acid 5–1 was activated by 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and then oxidized by an Ir^III complex. The resulting cyclobutyl radical was trapped by methyl vinyl ketone to access the substituted ketone 5–2 in a good yield.¹⁰⁰ This reaction was later scaled up under flow conditions by using the Photosyn reactor. In such a way, the authors could synthesize gram amounts per hour of the analogues of some drugs belonging to the GABA family.¹⁴⁹

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Scheme 5

Activation of Boronic Acids with a Lewis Base

Following the examples of the carboxylate derivatives, the electron-donating species may be generated in situ by deprotonation, as in the case of sulfonamides, employed in the desulfurative conjugate addition of alkyl radicals onto Michael acceptors (Scheme 6). Again, the process is based on a photocatalyzed oxidation pathway. The starting sulfonamide (6–1) was first deprotonated by a mild base (K₂HPO₄), and the resulting anion was easily oxidized to a N-centered radical. Loss of N-sulfinylbenzamide generates the desired radical that gave the adduct 6–3 upon reaction with 6–2 in 75% yield.¹⁰³

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Scheme 6

Desulfurative Strategy for the Conjugate Addition of Alkyl Radicals onto Michael Acceptors

In some instances, the radical precursor is a neutral compound. This situation is possible only when the derivative contains a highly oxidizable or reducible moiety. 4-Alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (alkyl-DHPs) under PC-free conditions act as radical precursors when combined with photoexcited iminium ion catalysis (Scheme 7). Here, enal 7–1 formed a chiral iminium ion 7–4⁺ by reaction with amine 7–3. Cation 7–4⁺ upon visible light excitation oxidized the alkyl-DHP 7–2 that in turn released the radical 7–5^• upon fragmentation, along with radical 7–4^•. Radical recombination followed by hydrolysis gave the desired alkylated dihydrocinnamaldehyde 7–6 in a satisfactory yield with a good enantiomeric excess (Scheme 7).¹⁵⁰ A similar Giese reaction was later proposed, where the alkyl-DHP was excited and a SET reaction with Ni(bpy)₃²⁺, acting as an electron mediator, took place. The alkyl radical derived from the radical cation of alkyl-DHP readily attacked a series of Michael acceptors.¹⁵¹

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Scheme 7

Alkyl-DHPs as Radical Precursors in Combination with Iminium Catalysis

Looking at the other edge of the redox spectrum, easily reducible compounds were devised as radical precursors via a photocatalyzed process. As an example, the incorporation of a N-phthalimidoyl moiety in an organic compound helps its photocatalyzed reduction, ultimately leading to the release of the alkyl radical. A typical case is represented by N-(acyloxy)phthalimides.¹²⁶ A stereoselective variant of this reaction was applied to the synthesis of (−)-solidagolactone (8–4, Scheme 8). Thus, the photocatalyzed reduction of phthalimide 8–1 by a Ru^II complex released a tertiary carbon radical. Attack to the terminal carbon of the unsaturated core present in β-vinylbutenolide 8–2 yields 8–3 with a very high diastereomeric excess. Further elaboration of compound 8–3 gave 8–4 in a single step.¹⁵² This reaction emerges as a very interesting tool to construct quaternary carbons¹⁵³ and to synthesize biologically active derivatives, e.g., (−)-aplyviolene.¹⁵⁴

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Scheme 8

Synthesis of (−)-Solidagolactone via N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides

Interesting results were also obtained using N-phthalimidoyl oxalates such as 9–1 in place of the N-(acyloxy)phthalimides for the generation of alkyl radicals starting from tertiary alcohols (Scheme 9).^92,97 The similarity of this reaction to the one presented in Scheme 8 is striking, despite a less atom economical radical generation.

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Scheme 9

Generation of Alkyl Radicals from N-Phthalimidoyl Oxalates

Reduction of an organic compound may be carried out even on organic iodides by using cyanoborohydride anion as the reducing agent. The reaction is chemoselective, since no alkyl bromides or chlorides could be activated following this way. Giese adducts were formed by irradiation with a Xe lamp of the reaction mixture in good yields as illustrated by the formation of 10–2 from 10–1 in Scheme 10.¹⁵⁵ This is another interesting example to circumvent the use of tin hydrides in the activation of alkyl halides.

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Scheme 10

Giese-Type Reaction of Iodides in the Presence of BH₃CN^–

Alkyl chlorides can be activated using Ir(dtbby)(ppy)₂PF₆ in the presence of micelles. The micellar environment stabilizes the photogenerated [Ir(dtbby)^•–(ppy)₂] species (−1.51 V vs SCE), unable to directly reduce the alkyl chlorides (ca. −2.8 V vs SCE). A second excitation of this long-lived intermediate allows the electron transfer to the halide, which could react with different electron-poor olefins, forging a novel C–C bond. The micellar system allowed intramolecular cyclizations to form five-membered cycles.¹⁵⁶

Reduction of the alkyl halide 11–1 could be avoided applying a halogen transfer reaction. In fact, due to the strong BDE of the Si-halogen bond, an alkyl radical is formed thanks to the action of a purposely generated silyl radical (from (Me₃Si)₃SiH, TTMSS) by a photoredox catalytic step. Radical addition onto an unsaturated amide (11–2) gave the 1,8-difunctionalized derivative 11–3, a key compound in the preparation of Vorinostat 11–4, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor active against HIV and cancer (Scheme 11).¹⁵⁷ This is the typical case where the radical is formed by the cleavage of an Alk-Br bond without the assistance of tin derivatives. It is interesting that the reaction requires a substoichiometric amount of silane to proceed. Indeed, with higher loadings the product yield decreases, possibly due to the presence of competing nonproductive pathways. A chain reaction mechanism could be envisaged; however, the quantum yield for this reaction (Φ = 0.45) does not fully clarify the mechanistic details of the transformation.

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Scheme 11

Synthesis of Vorinostat via XAT Strategy

In many instances the formation of the alkyl radical arose from a direct or indirect photocatalyzed C–H homolytic cleavage. The excited state of the decatungstate anion in its tetrabutylammonium salt form (TBADT) promoted in several cases the direct chemoselective cleavage of a C–H bond.^75,158Scheme 12 depicts two examples involving the hydroalkylation of acrylonitrile. Unsubstituted cycloalkanes were suitable hydrogen donors under flow conditions (yielding 12–1Scheme 12a).¹⁵⁹ Moreover, the chemoselective cleavage of the methine hydrogen in isovaleronitrile allowed the preparation of dinitrile 12–2 in 73% yield (Scheme 12b).¹⁶⁰

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Scheme 12

TBADT-Photocatalyzed Hydroalkylation of Acrylonitrile

Similarly, the presence of a tertiary hydrogen was the driving force of the chemoselective TBADT-photocatalyzed C–H cleavage in several derivatives, as depicted in Scheme 13. As an example, alkylpyridine 13–1 was selectively functionalized and gave derivative 13–2 as the exclusive product in the reaction with a vinyl sulfone (Scheme 13a).¹⁶¹ Interestingly, the labile benzylic hydrogens present in 13–1 remained untouched under these reaction conditions. Noteworthy, steric and polar effects cooperatively operated in the derivatization of lactone 13–3. As a result only the methine hydrogen of the isopropyl group was selectively abstracted and afforded 13–4 in very high yields by reaction with fumaronitrile (Scheme 13b), albeit the seven different types of hydrogens present in 13–3.¹⁶² The C–H cleavage may also take place in branched alkanes as witnessed by the derivatization of 13–5 to form the succinate derivative 13–6 (Scheme 13c).¹⁶³

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Scheme 13

TBADT-Driven Functionalization of Tertiary Carbons

In rare instances, the hydroalkylation reaction may be applied to olefins different to the usual Michael acceptors. Thus, substituted vinylpyridines were functionalized by TBADT-photocatalyzed addition of cycloalkanes. Scheme 14 showed the smooth synthesis of 14–2 starting from 14–1 simply by irradiation of the reaction mixture containing a slight excess of cyclohexane in the presence of a catalytic amount of the decatungstate salt.¹⁶⁴

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Scheme 14

Functionalization of a Vinylpyridine with a Cycloalkane

Recently, alternative PCs have been developed for the direct photocatalyzed activation of C–H bonds in cycloalkanes, namely uranyl cation¹⁶⁵ and Eosin Y,¹⁶⁶ both having the advantage of absorbing in the visible light region. The alkyl radical formation may be induced by a photogenerated stable radical which acts as a radical mediator. An Ir^III based photoredox catalyst oxidized the chloride anion (being the counterion of the Ir complex) to the corresponding chlorine atom, which abstracted a hydrogen atom from cyclopentane, thus forming adduct 15–1 in 69% yield upon addition onto a maleate ester (Scheme 15).¹⁶⁷

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Scheme 15

Indirect HAT Mediated by a Cl^• Radical

Another intriguing way to induce the cleavage of unactivated C(sp³)-H bonds is by a photocatalyzed intramolecular hydrogen abstraction. Usually a photoredox or a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET)⁴⁷ step induced the formation of a heteroatom centered radical that abstracts a tertiary C–H bond intramolecularly in a selective fashion, following a 1,5-HAT process mimicking the Hoffmann-Löffler-Freytag reaction (Scheme 16).^168−170

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Scheme 16

Intramolecular 1,5-HAT Forming Tertiary Alkyl Radicals

When the reaction was applied to compound 16–1, an oxidative PCET generated a neutral amidine radical that promotes the 1,5-hydrogen atom abstraction forming a tertiary radical which is able to functionalize olefin 16–2 in a complete regioselective fashion affording 16–3 (Scheme 16a).¹⁷¹ The reaction was also applied to medicinally relevant molecules such as the steroid-derived trifluoroacetamide 16–4 (Scheme 16b). Despite the fact that this compound has several labile C–H bonds including tertiary C–H bonds and C–H bonds adjacent to heteroatoms, the intramolecular hydrogen abstraction followed by conjugate addition onto 16–5 gave 16–6 as the sole product.¹⁷²

The remote activation of the C–H bond in the δ-position following this approach is a general reaction as demonstrated in related systems applied to amides protected with a carbamate group¹⁷³ or in simple benzamide derivatives.¹⁷⁴ In the latter case, the reaction was carried out in the presence of a chiral Rh-based Lewis acid catalyst that allowed the asymmetric alkylation of α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles.¹⁷⁴

The abstracting species could be likewise a photogenerated iminyl radical as illustrated in Scheme 17. Here a carbonyl group is converted in an oxime derivative (e.g., 17–1) by reaction with an α-aminoxy acid. Photocatalyzed oxidation followed by fragmentation of the resulting carbonyloxy radical gave an iminyl radical prone to a 1,5-HAT to afford a tertiary radical that upon addition to acrylate 17–2 gave compound 17–3 in 77% yield.¹⁷⁵

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Scheme 17

1,5-HAT Promoted by an Iminyl Radical

2.1.2. Heteroalkylation of C–C Double Bonds

An interesting variation of the functionalization of a double bond is the formation of a C–C bond (upon an alkylation step) followed by the formation of another C–Y bond (Y ≠ H) on the adjacent carbon. As an example, alkyl diacyl peroxides were reduced photocatalytically and the fragmentation released an alkyl radical and a carboxylate anion both incorporated in the structure of the product. Thus, 2-vinylnaphthalene 18–2 was converted into compound 18–4 in a very good yield upon reaction with lauroyl peroxide 18–1 upon an oxidative quenching process by consecutive C–C and C–O formation (Scheme 18).¹⁷⁶ The reaction was made possible by the oxidation of the resulting radical adduct 18–3^• (by Ru^III, the oxidized form of the PC) that generated the cation 18–3⁺ that was easily trapped by the carboxylate anion previously released.

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Scheme 18

Oxyalkylation via Alkyl Diacyl Peroxides

N-(acyloxy)phthalimide 19–1 as radical precursor found use in a similar multicomponent oxyalkylation of styrenes. The addition of the alkyl radical onto the vinylarene followed by the incorporation of water present in the reaction mixture afforded derivative 19–2 in 72% yield (Scheme 19).¹⁷⁷ Noteworthy, the labile C–Br bond in 19–1 remained untouched in the process.

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Scheme 19

Multicomponent Oxyalkylation of Styrenes

The use of water as the oxygen source was likewise used in the difunctionalization of aryl alkenes where the carbon-centered radical was formed by an intramolecular 1,5-HAT of a photogenerated iminyl radical.¹⁷⁸

Performing the reaction in DMSO, allows for the use of the solvent as an oxygen donor adopting the Kornblum oxidation. The intermediate benzyl radical formed after the alkylation step reacts with the solvent and eventually forming a carbonyl group in place of a simple C–O bond. An elegant example is shown in (Scheme 20) for the synthesis of ketonitrile 20–4.¹⁷⁹ A cycloketone oxime ester (20–1) was photocatalytically reduced, inducing a ring opening on the resulting iminyl radical. The resulting cyano-substituted alkyl radical reacted with styrene 20–2, and the addition with DMSO formed the intermediate 20–3, that, upon Me₂S loss, afforded the product.

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Scheme 20

Photocatalyzed Oxyalkylation of Styrenes Based on the Kornblum Oxidation

A related oxyalkylation of styrenes made again the use of the Kornblum oxidation as the last step in the synthesis of substituted acetophenones. Indeed, N-hydroxyphthalimides (e.g., 21–1) were employed as the radical source, and an Ir^III complex was used as the PC, obtaining good yields even on a 7 mmol scale (64% of 21–3, Scheme 21a).^180,181 Ester 21–1 was also adopted for the preparation of the aryl alkyl ketone 21–5 in 61% yield (Scheme 21b). In this case, however, the decarboxylative alkylation was applied to silyl enol ethers having the carbonyl oxygen already incorporated in the initial structure such as 21–4.¹⁸² The same process described in Scheme 21b can be carried out under uncatalyzed conditions under blue LED irradiation in the presence of an excess of NaI (150 mol %) and PPh₃ (20 mol %). The reaction was based on the photoactivation of a complex formed by N-(acyloxy)phthalimide with NaI and PPh₃ through Coulombic and cation-π interactions. In this case, the excitation caused the reduction of the phthalimide by a SET reaction within the complex.¹⁸³

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Scheme 21

Oxyalkylation by Using N-(Acyloxy)phthalimide Derivatives as Radicals Source

Alkylated ketones 22–3a–d were likewise obtained by the Ir^III-photocatalyzed reaction between a 2-mercaptothiazolinium salt (22–1, as alkyl radical precursor) and silyl enol ethers 22–2a–d (Scheme 22).¹⁰⁶

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Scheme 22

Synthesis of Alkylated Ketones from Mercaptothiazolinium Salts

Lauryl peroxide (LPO, see Scheme 18) was adopted for the Ru-catalyzed three-component carbofluorination of styrenes as illustrated in Scheme 23a. The vinylic double bond of compound 23–1 derived from estrone was functionalized twice by using triethylamine trihydrofluoride Et₃N·HF as the fluoride anion source to deliver the desired alkyl-fluorinated olefin 23–2 in 61% yield. The reduction of LPO is mediated by the presence of a copper salt in the role of a cocatalyst in a dual catalytic process.¹⁸⁴ The carbofluorination was later applied to dehydroalanine derivative 23–4 by using alkyltrifluoroborates and an excess of Selectfluor as an electrophilic fluorine source (Scheme 23b). The use of a visible light POC ([Acr⁺Mes]ClO₄) allowed for the synthesis of a wide range of unnatural α-fluoro-α-amino acids including F-Leu (23–5).¹⁸⁵

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Scheme 23

Carbofluorination of (a) Styrenes and (b) Dehidroalanine Derivatives

In rare instances, two C–C bonds could be formed in the adjacent position of the double bond as in cyanoalkylations. The enantioselectivity of the reaction was controlled exploiting the capability of a copper catalyst to form complexes with chiral Box ligands. Thus, a methyl radical was obtained by Ir^III-photocatalyzed reduction of phthalimide 24–1 that readily attacked styrene (Scheme 24). Meanwhile, the Cu^I salt incorporated Box 24–2 as the ligand, and the resulting complex reacted with the adduct radical in the presence of TMSCN. As a result, cyanoalkylated 24–3 was obtained in a good yield and in good ee.¹⁸⁶

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Scheme 24

Enantioselective Cyanoalkylation of Styrenes

A particular case of cyanoalkylation was later reported in the photocatalyzed reaction between cyclopropanols and cyanohydrins having a pendant C=C bond. Oxidative ring opening of the three-membered ring followed by addition onto the double bond and cyano migration gave a series of multiply functionalized 1,8-diketones incorporating the cyano group.¹⁸⁷

2.1.3. Allylation

Allylation reactions can be easily performed by reaction of an alkyl radical with substituted allyl sulfones (mainly with 1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)-2-propene 25–1, Scheme 25a). The alkyl radical was generated under visible light irradiation by hydrogen abstraction from cycloalkanes by an aromatic ketone, e.g., 5,7,12,14-pentacenetetrone 25–2. Addition of a cycloalkyl radical onto 25–1 followed by sulfonyl radical elimination gave access to vinyl sulfones 25–3a–b in good yields (Scheme 25a).¹⁸⁸

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Scheme 25

Allylation through Alkyl Radicals Generated (a) via HAT and (b) from Si bis-Catecholates

Other related reactions were designed to forge C(sp³)–allyl bonds following this simple scheme. The alkyl radical was formed by photocatalytic oxidation of hypervalent bis-catecholato silicon compounds as shown in Scheme 25b. Thus, compound 25–4 upon oxidation released the desired substituted alkyl radical, and addition onto allyl sulfone 25–5 gave the corresponding allylated derivative 25–6 in 70% yield.¹¹³ Olefin 25–5 was also used in a decarboxylative allylation of alkyl N-acyloxyphthalimides under Ru^II photocatalysis. The great advantage of the process was the reaction time since the allylation was completed in a few minutes at room temperature.¹⁸⁹

A particular class of phthalimides could be employed with no need of a photocatalyst to promote the reaction. N-alkoxyphthalimide (26–1) is able to form a donor–acceptor complex with electron donor compounds, such as the Hantzsch ester HE. Upon excitation, an electron transfer occurred within the complex generating a radical anion, which released an alkoxy radical upon N–O bond cleavage. Loss of formaldehyde formed the desired alkyl radical which reacted with 26–2, to obtain product 26–3 in 60% yield (Scheme 26).¹²⁷

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Scheme 26

Hantzsch Ester Mediated Photocleavage of N-Alkoxyphthalimides

Photocatalyzed reduction of Katritzky salts 27–1a–c obtained from the corresponding amines (Scheme 27) gave access to the allylated compounds 27–3a–c. Thus, the monoelectronic reduction of pyridinium salts 27–1a–c caused the release of the corresponding pyridines along with the substituted cyclohexyl radicals than upon trapping by 27–2 efficiently afforded acrylates 27–3a–c.¹⁹⁰

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Scheme 27

Photocatalyzed Allylation by Using Katritzky Salts

A remote allylation under visible light irradiation was devised starting from amide 28–1 making use of eosin Y (EY) as the PC (Scheme 28). The excited EY is able to reduce 28–1 thanks to the electron-withdrawing capability of the substituted phenoxy group on the nitrogen of the amide. The amidyl radical formed upon fragmentation of 28–1^•– gave rise to a tertiary radical upon 1,5-HAT, allowing the remote allylation, forming 28–2 in 75% yield.¹⁹¹

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Scheme 28

Remote Allylation via Amidyl Radicals

A different approach involved the use of trifluoromethyl-substituted alkenes (e.g., 29–1) that upon addition of the alkyl radical gave access to valuable gem-difluoroalkenes such as 29–2a–b (Scheme 29). The oxidation of alkyltrifluoroborates was here assured by the organic photocatalyst 4CzIPN, leading to nonstabilized primary, secondary, and tertiary radicals. The defluorinative alkylation resulted from the reduction of the radical adduct, followed by an E1cB-like fluoride elimination.¹⁹²

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Scheme 29

Synthesis of gem-Difluoroalkenes from Alkyl Trifluoroborates

A dual catalytic approach was designed for valuable allylation using vinyl epoxides as allylating agents (Scheme 30). The mechanism was investigated by quantum mechanical calculations [by DFT and DLPNO–CCSD(T)] and supported an initial complexation of Ni⁰ to 30–2 that quickly underwent a S_N2-like ring opening, followed by the incorporation of the alkyl radical formed by DHP-derived compounds 30–1a,b into the metal complex. Allyl alcohols 30–3a,b were then formed by inner sphere C(sp²)-C(sp³) bond formation from the resulting Ni^III complex.¹⁹³

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Scheme 30

Dual-Catalytic Allylation of Vinyl Epoxides

2.1.4. sp³–sp³ Cross-coupling

Another intriguing possibility offered by the photochemical approach to alkyl radicals is the formation of a C–C bond by a sp³–sp³ cross-coupling reaction. The transformation could lead to novel pathways to interesting targets, as represented by the synthesis of the drug tirofiban in only four steps, starting from easily available compounds. The protocol made use of two consecutive photocatalyzed reactions applying a metallaphotoredox strategy (Scheme 31). The key step is the coupling between carboxylic acid 31–1 and alkyl halide 31–2. The halide is first complexed by a Ni⁰ catalyst and the resulting Ni^I complex trapped the alkyl radical (obtained by photocatalyzed decarboxylation) to yield a Ni^III complex that in turn released the sp³–sp³ coupled product 31–3 after desilylation with TBAF. The desired tirofiban was then obtained by elaboration of 31–3 in two subsequent steps.¹⁹⁴

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Scheme 31

Synthesis of a Precursor of Tirofiban by a Metallaphotoredox Strategy

Another example of a C(sp³)–C(sp³) cross-coupling process is the reaction between alkylsilicates and alkyl halides. As in the previous case, a dual catalytic Ir/Ni system was required.¹⁹⁵ The alkyl radical may be likewise generated from an alkyl halide by a halogen atom transfer with a photogenerated silyl radical (from a silanol). The radical that is hence formed could be coupled with another alkyl bromide, e.g., methyl bromide, using a Ni⁰ catalyst to perform valuable methylation reactions.¹⁹⁶ Aliphatic carboxylic acids were used to form alkyl-CF₃ bonds via a photocatalyzed reaction making use of Togni’s reagent as the trifluoromethylating agent. The reaction was promoted under visible light irradiation employing an Ir^III photocatalyst coupled with a CuI salt. This process tolerates various functionalities including olefins, alcohols, heterocycles, and even strained ring systems.¹⁹⁷

The alkylation of a benzylic position in N-aryl tetrahydroisoquinoline 32–1 was reported following two different approaches (Scheme 32). The first allowed the reaction of an unactivated alkyl bromide (32–2) by the excitation of a Pd⁰ complex. Compound 32–1 was oxidized in the catalytic cycle, and the resulting α-amino radical coupled with the isopropyl radical to form 32–4 in 81% yield (Scheme 32a).¹⁹⁸ An alternative heavy-metal-free route catalyzed by a dye-sensitized semiconductor is depicted in Scheme 32b. Excitation of an inexpensive dye (erythrosine B) caused the reduction of titanium dioxide that in turn was able to reduce phthalimide 32–3 that eventually yielded quinoline 32–4.¹⁹⁹

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Scheme 32

Different Strategies in the Alkylation of N-Aryl Tetrahydroisoquinolines

2.1.5. Other Reactions

In particular cases, a C=N bond can be made sufficiently electrophilic to undergo alkyl radical addition as in the case of N-sulfinimines, exploited for the preparation of protected amines. A high degree of diastereoselectivity can be obtained when starting from chiral N-sulfinimines (33–2a–c, Scheme 33). Thus, the asymmetric addition of an isopropyl radical (formed from derivative 33–1) onto 33–2a–c allowed the isolation of sulfinamides 33–3a–c in good yields.²⁰⁰

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Scheme 33

Addition of an Alkyl Radical to Chiral Sulfinimines

The alkylation of related imines can be carried out by using ammonium alkyl bis(catecholato)silicates as the radical precursors under metal-free conditions adopting 4CzIPN as the POC²⁰¹ or by using potassium alkyltrifluoroborates in the alkylation of N-phenylimines.²⁰²

Another particular case is the alkylative semipinacol rearrangement devised for the synthesis of 2-alkyl-substituted cycloalkanones. The reaction involved the photocatalytic reaction between TMS protected α-styrenyl substituted cyclic alcohol 34–2 and the unactivated bromoalkane 34–1 (Scheme 34a). The reaction was promoted by the dimeric gold complex [Au₂(dppm)₂]Cl₂. This complex is able to reduce 34–1 (ca. −2.5 V vs SCE) despite having an oxidation potential in the excited state considerably lower for the reaction to occur (ca. −1.63 V vs SCE). This can be explained by the formation an inner sphere exciplex between the excited dimeric catalyst and 34–1 that promotes the otherwise thermodynamically unfeasible redox process, generating an Au^I–Au^II dimer and 34–4^•. The combination of the latter species formed an Au^III complex that induces a semipinacol rearrangement coupled with C(sp³)–C(sp³) reductive elimination, which furnished 34–3 in 84% yield (Scheme 34b).²⁰³

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Scheme 34

Gold Catalyzed Activation of Bromoalkanes

A similar reaction was later developed starting from cycloalkanol-substituted styrenes and N-acyloxyphthalimides under Ir^III photocatalysis.²⁰⁴

2.2. Formation of a C(sp³)-C(sp²) Bond

2.2.1. Alkenylation

The reaction between an alkyl radical with a cinnamic acid followed by loss of the COOH group is one of the more common approaches to promote an alkenylation reaction. Thus, the radical formed from salt 35–3 attacked the benziodoxole adduct 35–2, synthesized from acrylic acid 35–1. The reaction yielded 83% of the diphenylethylene derivative 35–4 upon a deboronation/decarboxylation sequence (Scheme 35).²⁰⁵ The benziodoxole moiety gave efficient results in promoting the radical elimination step, while other noncyclic I^III reagents were ineffective.

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Scheme 35

Alkenylations Mediated by Benziodoxole

Different decarboxylative alkenylations have been reported by changing the radical source and the photocatalyst (Scheme 36). The homolytic cleavage of an alkyl-I bond has been promoted by a Cu^I complex and the resulting cyclohexyl radical afforded styrene 36–3 in 68% yield upon addition onto cinnamic acid 36–1 (path a).²⁰⁶ The same product may be formed as well starting from the same substrate by using phthalimide 36–2 under visible light irradiation with the help of an Ir^III207 (path b) or a Ru^II photocatalyst.²⁰⁸ As an additional bonus, the formation of adduct 36–3 was obtained with a preferred E configuration.

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Scheme 36

Different Strategies Toward Decarboxylative Alkenylations

The alkenylation may mimic a Heck reaction as in the visible light-induced Pd-catalyzed reaction between a vinyl (hetero)arene and an α-heteroatom-substituted alkyl iodide or bromide (see Scheme 37). Here, the generation of the radical is induced by the reduction of the TMS-derivative 37–1 by the excited Pd⁰ species. Radical addition onto 37–2 followed by β-H-elimination from the adduct radical delivered allyl silane 37–3 in 81% yield.²⁰⁹ Noteworthy, the same reaction did not take place under usual thermal Pd-catalysis.

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Scheme 37

Heck-Like Alkenylation of an Alkyl Iodide

Alkylation of styrenes could be carried out using an inexpensive palladium source (Pd(PPh₃)₄) with no need of any base or classical photocatalyst. The reaction was promoted by visible light, adopting N-hydroxyphthalimides as radical sources.²¹⁰ Other visible light Pd promoted alkenylations include the reaction of vinyl arenes with carboxylic acids²¹¹ or tertiary alkyl halides²¹² as radical precursors. Other metal catalysts, however, were helpful for the substitution of a vinylic hydrogen atom with an alkyl group. In this respect, a dinuclear gold complex was employed for the activation of an alkyl bromide to promote a photocatalyzed Heck-like reaction.²¹³ The synergistic combination of a POC and a cobaloxime catalyst promoted the photocatalyzed decarboxylative coupling between 38–1 and styrene 38–2 to give the alkenylated product 38–3 in 82% yield and with a complete E/Z selectivity as illustrated in Scheme 38.²¹⁴

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Scheme 38

Cobaloxime-Mediated Decarboxylative Coupling of Carboxylic Acids with Styrenes

The addition of the alkyl radical may take place even on substituted alkenes via an ipso-substitution reaction. An example is shown in Scheme 39 where a vinyl iodide (39–2) is used for an alkenylation by the reaction with a radical generated from silicate 39–1, obtaining compound 39–3. The Ru^II photocatalyst in the dual catalytic system has the role of generating the radical, while the Ni⁰ catalyst activates the C(sp²)-I bond.²¹⁵

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Scheme 39

Alkenylation via Alkenyl Iodides

Alkenylation of alkyl iodide 40–1 can also take place starting from an alkenyl sulfone (40–2). Also in this case, an ipso-substitution is central to the novel bond formation and the Pd⁰ catalyst formed the radical by a SET reaction with 40–1. After the addition of the radical onto 40–2, the sequence is completed by the elimination of a sulfonyl radical affording 53% yield of 40–3 (Scheme 40).²¹⁶

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Scheme 40

Alkenylation of an Alkyl Iodide with Alkenyl Sulfones

Alkyl bromides were used in alkenylations by reaction with vinyl sulfones made possible by the photocatalytic generation of silicon centered radical that in turn formed the alkyl radical by a halogen atom transfer reaction.²¹⁷

2.2.2. Acylation

Acylation owes its importance to the possibility to convert an alkyl radical into a ketone, a reaction that proceeds in most cases with the intermediacy of an acyl radical.^218,219 A classical approach is based on the homolytic cleavage of an alkyl-I bond followed by carbonylation with CO and reaction with electrophiles of the resulting nucleophilic acyl radical. Scheme 41 illustrates the concept. Irradiation of iodide 41–1 with a Xe lamp in the presence of CO (45 atm) and a Pd⁰ complex led to an electron transfer reaction which formed an alkyl radical that, upon carbonylation and addition onto phenyl acetylene, gave ynone 41–2 in 63% yield.²²⁰ The reaction is supposed to proceed via a photoinduced electron transfer from the Pd⁰ catalyst to the iodoalkane, furnishing a Pd^II species and the alkyl radical. The carbon-centered radical promptly reacts with CO to generate an acyl radical. The Pd^I catalyst intervenes here again to couple the acyl derivative with the alkyne, preserving the triple bond in the final product. This reaction was later applied to the acylation of styrenes to give the corresponding enones.²²¹ The electrophilic nature of the alkyne could be exploited if the moiety is placed in the same reagent bearing the iodide. In this case, the first reaction observed was an intramolecular cyclization forming an alkenyl radical which eventually reacted with CO, furnishing an α,β-unsaturated ketone.²²²

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Scheme 41

Photocatalyzed Synthesis of Ynones

A reductive step induced the generation of the alkyl radical through an Ir^III-photocatalyzed C–N bond activation in pyridinium salt 42–1 (Scheme 42). Trapping of the alkyl radical with CO followed by addition onto 1,1-diphenylethylene gave access to the Heck-type product 42–2 with no interference by the 2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1-yl ring.²²³

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Scheme 42

Synthesis of Enones via Photocatalyzed C–N Bond Activation

The alkyl radical to be carbonylated was likewise formed starting from a cycloalkane for the preparation of unsymmetrical ketones via radical addition onto Michael acceptors. The reaction proceeded via a photocatalyzed decatungstate hydrogen atom transfer reaction²²⁴ When cyclopentanones were subjected to the photocatalyzed C–H activation, a regioselective β-functionalization occurred. Thus, 1,4-diketones 43–3a–c were smoothly formed by reaction of the photogenerated acyl radical 43–1^• onto Michael acceptors 43–2a–c (Scheme 43).²²⁵

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Scheme 43

Photocatalyzed Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Ketones

Unsymmetrical ketones have been likewise formed by carbonylation of alkyl radicals generated from organosilicates by using 4CzIPN as POC under visible-light irradiation.²²⁶

Potassium alkyltrifluoroborates were extensively used for acylation reactions having recourse to a dual photocatalytic system. The unstabilized alkyl radical was generated from trifluoroborate 44–1 with the help of an Ir^III PC (Scheme 44). Meanwhile, the acid 44–2 was converted in situ into a mixed anhydride (by reaction with dimethyl dicarbonate, DMDC) that was activated by a Ni⁰ complex. Addition of the alkyl radical onto the resulting complex led to the acylated product 44–3.²²⁷ In a similar vein, Ir-photoredox/nickel catalytic cross-coupling reactions were devised by using acyl chlorides²²⁸ and N-acylpyrrolidine-2,5-diones²²⁹ as acylating reagents.

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Scheme 44

Dual Catalytic Acylation of Alkyl Trifluoroborates

A Ni/Ru, dual-catalyzed amidation protocol was possible thanks to the coupling between an alkylsilicate and an isocyanate. Even in the latter case, the alkyl radical attacked the complex formed between the isocyanate and a Ni⁰ species and, as a result, the mild formation of substituted amides took place.²³⁰

The acylation of the radical was also exploited for the synthesis of esters. This elegant approach involves the generation of radicals from unactivated C(sp³)–H bonds (e.g., in cycloalkanes). The hydrogen abstraction on cycloalkanes was induced by a chlorine atom released from the photocleavage of the complex formed between chloroformate 45–1 and a Ni⁰ complex, allowing one to synthesize scaffolds with different ring sizes (45–2a–d in Scheme 45).²³¹

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Scheme 45

Dual Catalytic Acylation of Cycloalkanes

2.2.3. Minisci-Like Reactions

A fundamental transformation for the construction of C(sp²)-C(sp³) bond is the Minisci reaction, where the functionalization of heteroaromatics took place by substituting a H atom with an alkyl group. The reaction was widely investigated in the last years and mainly involves the functionalization of a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.²³² An interesting example is the methylation reported in Scheme 46.⁹⁴ A methyl radical was formed by using a peracetate such as 46–1. The protonation of 46–1 by acetic acid facilitates a PCET reduction of the peracetate by the Ir^III PC. A double fragmentation ensued, and the resulting methyl radical may attack the protonated form of biologically active heterocycles (e.g., fasudil 46–2) in a mild selective manner to afford 46–3 in 43% yield.⁹⁴

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Scheme 46

Alkylation of Fasudil

Another approach made use of an alkyl boronic acid as the radical precursor. The process is initiated by the Ru^II-photocatalyzed reduction of acetoxybenziodoxole (BI-OAc) that liberated the key species ArCOO^• (Scheme 47). Upon addition onto an alkyl boronic acid, this ortho-iodobenzoyloxy radical made available the alkyl radical that in turn functionalized pyridine 47–1 in position 2 in 52% yield (47–2, Scheme 47).²³³

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Scheme 47

Minisci Reaction by Using Alkyl Boronic Acids

The generation of the alkyl radical from boron-containing derivatives was made easier starting from alkyltrifluoroborates. A POC (Acr⁺Mes) is, however, required, but in all cases, the regioselective functionalization of various nitrogen-containing heterocycles was achieved.²³⁴ A related chemical oxidant-free approach process was later developed where alkyl radicals were formed by merging electro and photoredox catalysis.²³⁵

Alkyl halides are versatile substrates for the photoinduced functionalization (e.g., butylation) of lepidine 48–1 (Scheme 48). An uncatalyzed redox process is a rare occurrence here, since alkyl halides reduction is more demanding. This drawback can be overcome by the adoption of a dimeric Au^I complex (see Scheme 34) that upon excitation coordinates an unactivated haloalkane promoting an inner sphere PET. This interaction pushes the activation of R-Br despite its larger E_red with respect to the PC (Scheme 48a).²³⁶ A different approach promoting the homolytic cleavage of the R-I bond is shown in Scheme 48b. Decacarbonyldimanganese Mn₂(CO)₁₀ was cleaved upon visible light irradiation, and the resulting Mn-based radical was able to abstract the iodine atom from an alkyl iodide thus generating the desired butyl radical. This route was smoothly applied to the late-stage functionalization of complex nitrogen-containing substrates.²³⁷ Moreover, the activation of alkyl halides may be obtained by the photogeneration of a silyl based radical derived by TTMSS (Scheme 48c, see also Scheme 11). The robustness and the mildness of this approach was witnessed by the broad substrate scope and the compatibility of several functional groups present in the radical.²³⁸ The use of acidic conditions (required to make the nitrogen heterocycle more electrophilic) may however be avoided. Excited [Ir(ppy)₂(dtbbpy)]PF₆ was sufficiently reducing to convert alkyl iodides to alkyl radicals under basic conditions by combining conjugate and halogen ortho-directing effects.²³⁹

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Scheme 48

Photocatalyzed Butylation of Lepidine

In general, lepidine is the preferred substrate to test new ways for the C–H alkylation of heteroarenes. Accordingly, adamantane carboxylic acid 49–1 served for the visible light induced synthesis of 49–3 starting from lepidine 49–2 (Scheme 49). An Ir^III PC was adopted to alkylate various nitrogen heterocycles, making use of a large excess of persulfate anion as the terminal oxidant (path a).²⁴⁰ The presence of a PC is not mandatory for the adamantylation reaction with (bis(trifluoroacetoxy)-iodo)benzene as starting material. This compound in the presence of a carboxylic acid gave the corresponding hypervalent iodine^III reagent that upon irradiation generates the alkyl radical. The TFA liberated in the process was crucial for the activation of the nitrogen heterocycle and adduct 49–3 was isolated in 95% yield (path b).²⁴¹

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Scheme 49

Decarboxylative Minisci Alkylation

Very recently, an interesting approach for the generation of alkyl radicals from the C–C cleavage in alcohols was reported making use of a CFL lamp as irradiation source. The combination of 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol (50–1) with benziodoxole acetate (BI-OAc) gave adduct 50–3. Photocatalytic reduction of compound 50–3 released and alkoxy radical that upon fragmentation formed a tbutyl radical that reacted with N-heteroarene 50–2 to form 50–4 in 57% yield (Scheme 50).¹³⁰

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Scheme 50

Aliphatic Alcohols as Radical Precursors in Minisci Reaction

The use of hypervalent iodine^III in promoting the decarboxylation of R-COOH was effective in the derivatization of drugs or drug-like molecules. As a result, the quinine analogue 51–2 was formed in a 76% yield from quinine 51–1, utilizing Acr⁺Mes as the POC (Scheme 51).²⁴²

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Scheme 51

Alkylation of Quinine

Azoles can be adamantylated starting from adamantane carboxylic acid by a dual catalytic approach (Acr⁺Mes as the POC and [Co(dmgH)(dmgH₂)Cl₂] as the cocatalyst)²⁴³ or simply C₂-alkylated under photoorganocatalyzed conditions.²⁴⁴

The photocatalyzed reduction of N-(acyloxy)phthalimide 52–1 induced by an Ir^III* complex is an alternative approach for the functionalization of N-heterocycles such as 2-chloroquinoxaline 52–2 to form the cyclopentenyl derivative 52–3 (Scheme 52).²⁴⁵

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Scheme 52

Cyclopentenylation of 2-Chloroquinoxaline

The reductive pathway is feasible even when the generation of the alkyl radical was carried out starting from the redox-active pyridinium salt 53–1. In this case, the obtained cycloalkyl radical gave a regioselective addition onto 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine 53–2 to yield 53–3 under mild conditions (Scheme 53).⁷⁰

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Scheme 53

Functionalization of 6-Chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine

The alkyl radical could be formed even from simple hydrocarbons via hydrogen atom transfer reaction. A valuable example is reported in Scheme 54. The hypervalent iodine oxidant PFBI–OH is reduced by an excited Ru^II complex generating a carbonyloxy radical that acted as hydrogen atom abstracting agent. Functionalization of isoquinoline 54–2 by the resulting radical (derived from 54–1) afforded adduct 54–3 in 65% yield (>15:1 dr).²⁴⁶ The high selectivity observed in the functionalization of 54–1 was ascribed to the slow addition of the tertiary alkyl radical possibly formed onto 54–2.²⁴⁶ The direct (rather than indirect) C–H cleavage in cycloalkane was possible by using decatungstate anion as PC. Various nitrogen-containing heterocycles were then easily derivatized even under simulated solar light irradiation.²⁴⁷

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Scheme 54

PFBI–OH Mediated Minisci Reaction

PFBI–OH was likewise used for the remote C(sp³)–H heteroarylation of alcohols (Scheme 55). As an example, the reaction of pentanol with PFBI–OH gave adduct 55–1 that was reduced by the photocatalyst releasing the alkoxy radical 55–2^•. 1,5-HAT and addition onto protonated phthalazine 55–3 afforded adduct 55–4 and the functionalized heterocycle 55–5 from it in 72% yield after sequential oxidation and deprotonation.²⁴⁸

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Scheme 55

Remote C(sp³)–H Heteroarylation of Alcohols

As previously stressed, an acid is often required for an efficient Minisci-like reaction. To overcome this problem the alkylation may be carried out on the corresponding N-oxide derivatives as it is the case of pyridine N-oxides (56–2, Scheme 56). The radical is generated from a trifluoroborate salt (56–1) and the alkylation is regioselective in position 2 (forming compound 56–3).²⁴⁹ The process is efficient thanks to the photocatalytic degradation of BI-OAc that promoted a hydrogen abstraction, operated by the resulting carbonyloxy radical, on the Minisci radical cation adduct.

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Scheme 56

Minisci Alkylation of Pyridine Oxides

On the other hand, the pyridine N-oxide 57–1 can be acylated in situ with suitable acyl chlorides to furnish the electron-poor 57–2a–c⁺ derivatives. Photocatalytic reduction of these intermediates leads to the generation of alkyl radicals prone to attack the pyridine nucleus itself in the ortho position resulting in a decarboxylative alkylation (57–3a–c, Scheme 57).¹²²

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Scheme 57

Decarboxylative Alkylation of Heterocycles

2.2.4. Ipso-Substitution Reactions

The forging of an alkyl-sp² bond (e.g., an alkyl-Ar bond) is undoubtfully one of the most crucial goals pursued by a synthetic organic chemist. Alkyl radicals generated via different mild routes can be successfully employed for the arene ipso functionalization, given the presence of a suitable group X on the (hetero)aromatic ring that directs the selective formation of a new Ar–C bond at the expense of an Ar-X bond. Dual catalysis (with the help a Ni-based complex) is one of the preferred approaches.

In a recent example, the hydrogen atom transfer ability of the excited TBADT catalyst (see also Scheme 12) is used to form an alkyl radical starting from different aliphatic moieties (see Scheme 58).²⁵⁰ The combined action of the tungstate anion and the nickel catalyst (Ni(dtbbpy)Br₂) allowed the coupling of (hetero)aromatic bromides with unactivated alkanes, overcoming their high bond dissociation energies (ca. 90–100 kcal/mol) and low acidities. Both linear (41–56% yield) and cyclic (57–70% yield) alkanes could be functionalized with a vast range of competent partners. Interestingly, the radicals are generated preferentially on the less sterically demanding secondary carbons in alkanes, affording a remarkable selectivity.

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Scheme 58

Dual TBADT-Ni Catalysis for the Synthesis of Pyridyl-Functionalized Bicycles

The scope of this method could be proved by the functionalization of natural products and drugs, such as in the preparation of the bicyclic derivative 58–3a (61% yield) and the N-Boc protected epibatidine alkaloid 58–3b (28%, Scheme 58).²⁵⁰ A very similar approach was later reported for the dual photocatalytic formation of an Ar–C bond starting from aryl bromides and cycloalkanes.²⁵¹

Another dual-catalytic approach allowed the coupling reaction of aryl bromides (59–2, Scheme 59) and alkyl sulfinates (59–1), in the presence of Ni(COD)₂ and tetramethylheptanedione (TMHD, Scheme 59a) to give 59–3 in 84% yield under air.¹⁰⁴ The photogenerated radical was trapped by the Ni complex that mediated the coupling with the aryl halide 59–2. The method was then applied to the synthesis of 59–5, selective ATP-competitive inhibitors of the casein kinase 1δ, an enzyme related to the regulation of the circadian rhythm (Scheme 59b).¹⁰⁴

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Scheme 59

Dual Catalytic Cross-Coupling of Aryl Bromides with Alkyl Sulfinates

A very similar strategy to access C(sp³) radicals involves the photoredox induced cleavage of alkyl oxalate 60–1, starting from the corresponding alcohols (see Scheme 60, see also Scheme 3).²⁵² The rapid in situ formation of the oxalate (without purification) was followed by the metallaphotoredox sequence based on Ni catalysis, allowing to obtain the C(sp²)-C(sp³) coupling to give derivatives 60–3a–e in good yields.

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Scheme 60

Coupling of Alkyl Oxalates with Aryl Bromides

The advantage of the use of potassium and ammonium bis-catecholato silicates relies in the smooth generation of unstabilized primary and secondary alkyl radicals to be engaged in dual catalysis.^253,254 An example is the consecutive functionalization of bromo(iodo)arene 61–2 (Scheme 61, see also Scheme 25) for the preparation of 61–4 where the radical (from 61–1) is trapped by Ni⁰ (stabilized by a phenanthroline ligand). The synthesis of 61–3 can be achieved in high yields on 10 mmol scale with reduced effect on yield (75%) and selectivity (98%). The crude bromide 61–3 was further functionalized by a second Ni/photoredox cross-coupling of the alkylsilicate 61–5, affording product 61–4 in 66% yield.²⁵⁵ The procedure was extended successfully to alkyl triflates, tosylates and mesylates,²⁵⁶ and to brominated borazaronaphthalene cores.²⁵⁷ The latter approach was crucial to access previously unknown isosteres of azaborines.

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Scheme 61

Consecutive Functionalization of Bromo-Iodo Arenes with bis-Catecholato Silicates

The action of a silyl radical on an alkyl bromide 62–1 forms an alkyl radical that, again with the help of a Ni based catalyst, reacted with aryl bromides 62–2 (Scheme 62, see also Scheme 11). The scope of products 62–3 that can be obtained is varied and includes both aromatic and heteroaromatic substrates, along with cycloalkanes of different size.⁷¹

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Scheme 62

Ir/Ni Complex Mediated Coupling Between Alkyl and Aryl Bromides

A peculiar case is when the ipso-substitution took place via a radical rearrangement such as shown in Scheme 63.²⁵⁸ Thus, the heteroaromatic sulfonamide 63–1 was subjected to the Finkelstein reaction, obtaining the corresponding iodide 63–2 that acted as the source of radical able to induce a Smiles rearrangement via 63–5^•. Intermediate 63–5^• has lost its aromaticity; however, the radical has become tertiary, gaining further stabilization from the ester group nearby. Restoration of the aromaticity is followed by a presumable hydrogen atom transfer to obtain compound 63–6 in 95% yield.²⁵⁸

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Scheme 63

Photocatalyzed Smiles Rearrangement

Dual photoredox/nickel catalysis was successfully applied to couple β-trifluoroboratoketones 64–1 with aryl bromides 64–2a–f (Scheme 64, see also Scheme 4). Arylated compounds 64–3a–f were efficiently prepared with substituents of different electronic nature on the aryl ring.²⁵⁹

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Scheme 64

Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalytic Coupling of β-Trifluoroboratoketones with Aryl Bromides

Potassium tetrafluoroborate salts have been applied to generate secondary alkyl radicals via Ir photocatalysis coupled with Ni.²⁶⁰ However, they were found to be likewise suitable for cross-coupling reactions devoted to the forging of quaternary carbon centers (Scheme 65) without the need of using reactive organometallic species.²⁶¹ In the adamantylation of bromides 65–1a–d better yields were obtained when the aryl ring was substituted with electron-withdrawing groups.

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Scheme 65

Adamantylation of Aryl Bromides

An interesting application of this synthetic strategy is the functionalization of 7-azaindole pharmacophores with cycloalkyl scaffolds to improve the drug likeness of the azaindole core structure. Different potential drug candidates (66–3a–c, Scheme 66) were prepared via dual photocatalysis in a flow setup varying the dimension and substitution of the ring.²⁶²

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Scheme 66

Functionalization of 7-Azaindole Pharmacophores in Flow

In a similar way, a DHP-functionalized cyclohexene 67–1 was used to generate a secondary alkyl radical. In this case, the authors promoted the oxidation of 67–1 by using the strongly oxidizing 4CzIPN photocatalyst. Coupling with bromopyridine 67–2 gave substituted pyridine 67–3 in moderate yields (Scheme 67, see also Scheme 7).¹¹⁸

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Scheme 67

Coupling of DHP-Cyclohexene with Cyanobromopyridine

DHP-derivatives (68–1) may be used in ipso-substitution reaction even in the absence of a photocatalyst (Scheme 68). Violet light LED illumination directly excited didehydropyridine 68–1, fueling electrons to the Ni^II species which formed the catalytic competent Ni⁰ along with the desired radical by the fragmentation of 68–1^•+. Noteworthy, the alkyl aromatic 68–3 was then formed where the use of electron-withdrawing groups on the ring contributes to the good yields of the process.²⁶³

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Scheme 68

Photocatalyst-Free Activation of DHPs

3.2. C–N Bond

Diverse structural motifs based on the C–N bond such as hydrazine and hydrazide cores were accessed by the photochemical addition of alkyl radicals onto the N=N of azodicarboxylates. TBADT-photocatalyzed HAT was applied to synthesize hydrazines by the coupling of cycloalkyl radicals with diisopropyl azodicarboxylate (DIAD). A synthetically challenging three component reaction can be achieved in the presence of CO, allowing the synthesis of the corresponding hydrazides.²⁸⁷

The C–H amination can be smoothly achieved even starting from light hydrocarbons, such as methane (79–1, Scheme 79), with ditert-butylazodicarboxylate (DBAD, 79–2) in the presence of Ce^III salts. This inexpensive photocatalyst furnished the desired product 79–3 in 63% yield, with a turnover number up to 2900. The authors proposed a ligand-to-metal charge transfer excitation between the cerium salt and trichloroethanol as the source of alkoxy radicals that acted as hydrogen atom transfer agents.²⁸⁸

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Scheme 79

Photocatalyzed Amination of Methane

Aminated alkanes can be obtained by reacting aliphatic carboxylates with DIAD making use of Acr⁺Mes as a photoredox catalyst.²⁸⁹ A cerium catalyst was adopted for the generation of several alkyl radicals starting from carboxylic acids, under basic conditions, allowing for the functionalization of a broad range of substrates, including natural products such as drugs like gemfibroxil (80–2) and tolmetin (80–1, Scheme 80).²⁹⁰

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Scheme 80

Cerium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Amination

The N=N bond of differently substituted azobenzenes (81–1a–e) can be functionalized on both nitrogens with a tandem N-methylation and N-sulfonylation, by cleavage of DMSO by UV irradiation of the Fenton reagent (FeSO₄/H₂O_2,Scheme 81).¹⁰⁵

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Scheme 81

Tandem N-Methylation and N-Sulfonylation of Azobenzenes

Synthesis of amides can be achieved recurring to copper photocatalysis. Secondary alkyl bromide 82–1 could be efficiently coupled with cyclohexane carboxyamide 82–2 in 90% yield using CuI in catalytic amounts (Scheme 82a). The authors were able to isolate the catalytic species (a copper–amidate complex), formed by the assembly of four copper ions and four amides.²⁹¹

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Scheme 82

Photocatalyzed Synthesis of (a) Amides and (b) Carbamates

The same group reported the functionalization of carbamates with secondary alkyl bromides by shifting the wavelength of irradiation in the visible region by developing a tridentate carbazolide/bisphosphine ligand 82–4 for the copper catalyst thus able to prepare Boc-pregnenolone 82–5 in 90% yield (Scheme 82b).²⁹² A variation of this protocol was applied to the synthesis of amines, using secondary unactivated alkyl iodides and CuI/BINOL as the catalytic system.²⁹³

Several reagents can be used as an azide source to synthesize synthetically valuable C–N₃ bonds. Tertiary aliphatic C–H bonds can be selectively functionalized via Zhdankin azidoiodane reagent 83–2. Visible light was used to excite Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ that cleaves the labile I–N₃ bond, triggering the cascade of radical reactions that leads to the product formation (Scheme 83). The selectivity and compatibility of this reaction with different groups is underlined by the conversion of the dipeptide 83–1 to 83–3 in 30% yield.²⁹⁴ A related C–H azidation was performed by using tosyl azide as an alternative azide source with the help of 4-benzoylpyridine to promote the photocatalytic C–H cleavage in various cycloalkanes.²⁹⁵

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Scheme 83

Azidation of Tertiary Aliphatic C–H Bonds

Another example of the functionalization of unactivated C–H bonds is depicted in Scheme 84 making use of tosyl azide 84–2. The reaction needs the intermediacy of an oxygen radical center on a phosphate group, previously oxidized by the action of the mesityl acridinium photocatalyst 84–3. This allows the C–H to C–N₃ conversion in menthol benzoate 84–1 to give azide 84–4 in a satisfying yield, with a regioselectivity favoring the more electron-rich tertiary position.²⁹⁶

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Scheme 84

Photocatalyzed C–H to C–N₃ Conversion

The synthesis of amines is undoubtedly more challenging to be dealt with, relying on radical chemistry. However, several strategies were developed to effectively forge this fundamental functional group. A classic reaction for the synthesis of amine is the Curtius reaction that has the drawback in handling of potentially dangerous azides. A dual copper/photoredox catalytic approach mimicked this process for the obtainment of N-protected amines from the N-hydroxyphthalimide ester of cholic acid triacetate 85–1 (Scheme 85, see also Scheme 8). The alkyl radical was again formed by Cu^I-photocatalyzed reduction of 85–1, but this recombine with the Cu^II–phthalimide complex formed to release 85–2 (52% yield) by a formal decarboxylation process. A great variety of functional groups are compatible with this reaction including steroidal structures.²⁹⁷

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Scheme 85

Decarboxylative C–N Coupling in Cholic Acid Triacetate

A very interesting approach to synthesize β-aminoalcohols from the unfunctionalized alcohol 86–1 relies on the introduction of a radical relay chaperone to direct the C–H functionalization of the β position of the OH group (Scheme 86). Imidate radicals can be accessed via the photodecomposition of PhI(OAc)₂. A transient sp²N-centered radical is generated from 86–2, which allows a 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer. A source of iodine promotes the formal transfer of an iodine radical to the β-position to the imidate, followed by cyclization to obtain 86–3 which can be promptly hydrolyzed to 86–4. The nature of the substituents on acetimidate 86–2 may affect the overall yield.²⁹⁸

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Scheme 86

Radical Relay Chaperone Strategy Driven by the Photodecomposition of PhI(OAc)₂

Direct cross-coupling between alkyl carboxylic acids and nitrogen nucleophiles can be achieved by dual copper/photoredox catalysis through iodonium activation. The scope of the transformation is broad and applicable to a diverse array of nitrogen nucleophiles such as heterocycles, amides, sulfonamides, and anilines to give the corresponding C–N coupling product in excellent yields on short time scales (5 min to 1 h). The high regioselectivity obtained in late stage functionalization of complex pharmaceuticals such as Skelaxin 87–2 (to give 87–3 in 90% yield from 87–1, Scheme 87, see also Scheme 48) gave an idea of the importance of the approach.²⁹⁹

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Scheme 87

Late Stage Functionalization of Skelaxin

Similar strategies were explored for the synthesis of amines via C(sp³)–N cross-coupling combining a copper catalyst and the action of a photoredox catalyst by using anilines³⁰⁰ or benzophenone imines³⁰¹ as nitrogen source. Hydroxylamines were instead formed under photoorganocatalytic conditions by reaction of carboxylic acids and nitrosoarenes.³⁰²

3.3. C–O Bond

The C–O bond formation is without doubt a prerogative of polar chemistry. However, there are examples of photochemically driven reactions making use of an alkyl radical for the introduction of different oxygen-containing functional groups. In Scheme 88, the nonenolizable ester 88–1 is transformed into 88–2 via a photochemically promoted decarboxylation of the NPhth-ester (see also Scheme 8) in the presence of Hantzsch ester to yield a tertiary radical. The intermediate is promptly quenched by TEMPO, affording 88–2 in 91% yield, in a multigram scale reaction.³⁰³

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Scheme 88

Decarboxylative Oxygenation of Phthalimide Esters

A similar reaction was employed to synthesize alkyl aryl ethers, given their importance in medicinal and agricultural chemistry. A tandem photoredox and copper catalysis approach allows the decarboxylative coupling of alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters (NHPI) with phenols (89–2Scheme 89). Various NHPI esters of different drugs and natural products easily underwent a late-stage decarboxylative etherification. As an example, the chlorambucil derivative 89–1 was converted into the corresponding 2-MeO phenyl ether 89–3 in 49% yield.³⁰⁴

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Scheme 89

Decarboxylative C(sp³)-O Cross-Coupling

Following a similar strategy, carboxylates are converted into alcohols via a photocatalytic decarboxylative hydroxylation mediated by the mesityl acridinium salt. In this case, molecular oxygen is used as the oxidant, to promote the formation of the desired C–O bond. Since the reactions gave mainly a mixture of ketones and hydroperoxides, reduction in situ by sodium borohydride allowed the synthesis of alcohols in good yields.³⁰⁵ A decarboxylative hydroxylation may be carried out with the intermediacy of Barton esters that upon irradiation in oxygen-saturated toluene followed by treatment with P(OEt)₃ afforded an alcohol intermediate for the total synthesis of Crotophorbolone.³⁰⁶ The more challenging oxidation of unactivated alkanes to alcohols or ketones can be achieved through a photoelectrochemical approach, as testified by the C–H bond activation of cyclohexane to prepare a mixture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol (the so-called KA oil) with high partial oxidation selectivity (99%) and high current utilization ratio (76%). The highest current ratio was obtained illuminating the solution with 365 nm wavelength.³⁰⁷ Decatungstate photocatalysis was efficiently applied to oxidize activated and unactivated C–H bonds. Taking advantage of a microflow reactor setup, a late stage regioselective CH₂/C=O conversion in several natural compounds, such as artemisinin 90–1 to form artemisitone-9 90–2 was readily pursued even in a 5 mmol scale (Scheme 90).³⁰⁸

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Scheme 90

Late Stage Regioselective Carbonylation of Artemisinin

3.4. C-Halogen Bond

Halogenation of alkanes through a radical reaction under UV irradiation is one of the core pathways to chemically activate a paraffin. Industrially, chlorine gas is used to functionalize methane. A major drawback of the classical chain reaction using either Cl₂ or Br₂ under direct irradiation is the formation of di or polyhalogenated products. The application of microflow technology in combination with visible light irradiation (with an absorption maximum in the near UV at ca. 350 nm) allowed the monobromination of different alkanes with molecular bromine. High selectivity for the monobrominated compound and excellent overall yields (between 60 and 99%) could be achieved for secondary and tertiary alkanes, along with primary benzylic positions.³⁰⁹

Chlorination with molecular chlorine, on the other hand, suffers from the low yields of the reaction, typically around 50%, from the high concentrations of HCl generated in the process and from the toxicity of the chlorine gas itself. However, when Cl₂ was generated by mixing NaClO with HCl and the chlorination took place under flow conditions, efficient C–H to C–Cl conversion resulted.^310,311 A photochemical alternative using NaCl as chlorine source was developed.³¹² In the reaction, Cl₂ was formed in situ by oxidation of the chloride anion with oxone. The monochlorination of cyclohexane 91–1 to give 91–2 could be obtained in 93% isolated yield thus overcoming the limitation of the classical chlorination process with chlorine gas (Scheme 91, see also Scheme 15).

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Scheme 91

Photoinduced Monochlorination of Cyclohexane

Fluorination is essential to modern medicinal chemistry, both as a viable way to insert radiotracers or to deactivate specific degradation pathways in drugs. Photochemistry is a reliable tool to achieve the fluorination of C–H bonds, following different strategies. Excited TBADT may formed a radical intermediate (from unactivated alkanes) that abstracts the fluorine atom from the labile N–F bond of the fluorinating agent N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI). An N-centered radical resulted which closes the radical cycle oxidizing the reduced photocatalyst. Acetate 92–1 was fluorinated in 40% yield following this procedure to yield 92–2 (Scheme 92). The reaction applied to sclareolide, however, was not selective and gave a mixture of fluorinated regioisomers (68% overall yield).³¹³

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Scheme 92

TBADT-Catalyzed Fluorination of Alkanes

Following a similar reaction scheme, uranyl acetate was employed in combination with NFSI to promote the fluorination of secondary alkanes but poorly on the benzylic positions. Indeed, in the absence of an aromatic scaffold, the excited U=O abstract a hydrogen atom through HAT, while the presence of an aromatic ring deactivated the excited state of the catalyst via exciplex formation preventing the fluorination to occur.³¹⁴ Acetophenone in its excited state promoted the hydrogen abstraction of secondary alkanes, with the advantage that a common CFL housebulb can be used to promote an efficient conversion, using Selectfluor as the fluoride source.³¹⁵ In this case, the authors irradiated the tail of the n-π* absorption band of the ketone which can be found in the visible region due to the high concentration of the photocatalyst present in solution. N-Alkyl phthalimides having an alkyl chain linked to the nitrogen was fluorinated by using Selectfluor under photocatalyst-free conditions. An exciplex was supposed to be formed between the reagents and it was proposed that the C–F bond formation took place concomitantly with hydrogen atom abstraction with the nitrogen radical of the fluorinating agent.³¹⁶

A considerable regioselectivity in the fluorination reaction can be achieved using carboxylates as alkyl radical precursors and again Selectfluor as a fluorinating reagent. The reaction is possibly initiated by reduction of Selectfluor 93–2 by means of Ir[dF(CF₃)ppy]₂(dtbbpy)PF₆. Fluorination of different carboxylic acids can be achieved in a very high yields (between 70 and 99%), and 93–1 was readily converted into 93–3 in 90% yield (Scheme 93).³¹⁷ In case of unactivated primary substrates, a prolonged irradiation (12–15 h) was mandatory to achieve a high conversion of the substrate.

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Scheme 93

Regioselective Fluorination of Carboxylates

An interesting case is the fluorination of compounds having the MOM group to direct the halogenation event. In this case, the PC oxidized an imidine base (DBN) that acted as hydrogen atom abstractor of the dioxolanyl group in compound 94–1 (Scheme 94). The resulting α,α-dioxy radical 94–2 released an alkyl radical (upon formiate loss) that was fluorinated by Selectfluor. This metal-free approach again used visible light and is particularly successful when applied to tertiary alkyl ethers to give sterically hindered alkyl fluorides (e.g., 94–3).³¹⁸

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Scheme 94

DBN-Mediated HAT in C–F Bond Formation

Interestingly, fluorination of carboxylates with Selectfluor was also reported to occur under heterogeneous photocatalytic conditions, using titania as photocatalyst to promote the oxidation of the carboxylate anion.³¹⁹ Fluorination and chlorination of nitriles and ketones could be obtained starting from oximes, using Selectfluor and NCS as halogen sources, respectively. With this methodology, γ-functionalization of ketones and a complex photoinduced ring-opening/halogenation of oximes via the intermediacy of an iminyl radical was pursued. The C=N moiety of the reagent (e.g., 95–1) was preserved in the products (95–2a,b) in its oxidized nitrile form (Scheme 95). Several natural products could be functionalized following this methodology, such as androsterone (95–3a,b) and camphor (95–4a,b) derivatives (Scheme 95, see also Scheme 20).³²⁰

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Scheme 95

Ring-Opening Halogenation of Oximes

Alcohols were converted into their corresponding pyruvates that upon irradiation in the presence of an Ir^III photocatalyst with blue LEDs released an alkyl radical prone to be chlorinated by 2,2,2-trichloroacetate as the chlorine atom source. A series of secondary and tertiary chlorides could be obtained in good to excellent yields.³²¹

An Ir-based photocatalyst was used to promote bromination of carboxylic acid (96–1) with bromomalonate as brominating agent (Scheme 96).³²² The acids used in this work were likewise converted into the corresponding alkyl chlorides and iodides in the presence of the corresponding N-halosuccinimides.³²²

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Scheme 96

Bromomalonate as Brominating Agent

A radical relay strategy was employed to synthesize gem-diiodides through successive intramolecular 1,5-HAT processes and iodine trapping. Indeed, the excitation with visible light of an N–I imidate group, formed in situ from the reaction of a trichloroacetimidate with PhI(OAc)₂ as an iodine source, allowed the synthesis of a small library of gem di-I compounds in good yields. As an example, the cholic acid derivative 97–1 has been converted to its corresponding di-iodo derivative 97–2 in 71% yield (Scheme 97). Moreover, the authors could also achieve a dibromination using NaBr and TBABr and visible light, while only monochlorination is reported when NaCl, TBACl, and UV light were adopted.³²³

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Scheme 97

Gem di-Iodination of a Cholic Acid Derivative

3.5. C–S or C–Se Bonds

Alkyl radicals were sparsely used for the unusual introduction of a SCF₂X (X = F, H) or an SAr moiety in an organic compound. The introduction of a SCF₂X group has recently sparked attention due to the remarkable hydrogen donor nature of the group when X = H, making it the lipophilic surrogate for OH or NH groups.³²⁴ On the other hand, the trifluoromethylthio group increases the metabolic stability and the lipophilicity of drugs.

One strategy for the introduction of a SCF₂X group is the photocatalyzed (by Ir^III PC) oxidation of alkyl carboxylates via visible light irradiation in the presence of PhthN-SCF₂H (98–2) as the sulfur donor. Indeed, 98–1 was converted into 98–3 in high yields (Scheme 98). The reaction was sustained by the stability of the imidyl radical liberated in the process, that was able to promote a chain reaction oxidizing a further carboxylate group. Indeed, the quantum yield for the reaction was found to be 1.7.³²⁵ Bis-methyltiolation was observed in different cases, possibly due to HAT triggered by an intermediate of the reaction, presumably PhthN^• and following transfer of SCF₂X from the reactant. To avoid the formation of byproducts either mesitylene or 3-(methyl) toluate were added as sacrificial hydrogen donors.

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Scheme 98

Difluorothiomethylation of Carboxylic Acids

An interesting follow-up for this methodology from the same group made use of the hydrogen atom transfer process previously reported as detrimental for the reaction yield. In fact, when using an aryl carboxylate instead of an aliphatic one, the carboxyl radical that is formed upon electron transfer with the excited Ir catalyst is now stable enough to act as a hydrogen abstractor, selectively targeting secondary or tertiary H in alkyl chains. Also, in this case, PhthN-SCF₂X acted as the sulfur source. The conversion of ambroxide 99–1 to its trifluorothiomethyl derivative 99–2 proceeded with 95% yield (Scheme 99).³²⁶

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Scheme 99

Trifluoromethylthiolation of Ambroxide

A photocatalyst-free decarboxylative arylthiation took place by mixing an N-acyloxyphthalimide (e.g., 100–2) in the presence of an aryl thiol (100–1) under basic conditions (by Cs₂CO₃) upon visible light irradiation. In this case, a SET between 100–1 and 100–2 caused the formation of 100–2^•– along with thiyl radical 100–3^• (that easily dimerized to disulfide 100–4). Trapping of the resulting cyclohexyl radical (by loss of PhthN^– from 100–2^•–) with 100–4 afforded alkylaryl sulfide 100–5 in 89% yield (Scheme 100).³²⁷

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Scheme 100

Arylthiation of N-Acyloxyphthalimides

The most widely used reaction for the C–S bond synthesis requires the incorporation of sulfur dioxide by using DABSO (DABCO(SO₂)₂) as its surrogate as depicted in Scheme 101.³²⁸ Thus, excited mesityl acridinium salts promoted the oxidation of an alkyl-BF₃K salt that generated a nucleophilic radical able to react with DABSO. The sulfonyl radical intermediate formed has been employed in a three-component reaction with electron poor olefins (e.g., a vinyl piridine 101–1, Scheme 101a)³²⁹ or an alkyne (phenyl acetylene, Scheme 101b),³³⁰ affording alkyl sulfone (101–2) or (E)-vinyl sulfone (101–3), respectively.

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Scheme 101

Sulfonylation of (a) Styrenes and (b) Alkynes

Alternatively, alkyl iodides can be used to react with olefins decorated with EWGs and DABSO to generate a broad range of alkyl sulfones.³³¹ A very similar strategy was implemented by the same authors using differently substituted Hantzsch esters as alkyl radical precursors, upon irradiation in the presence of Eosin Y.³³² In the latter case, the sulfonyl radical added onto vinyl azides and, after releasing of molecular nitrogen, an imidyl radical resulted which reacted with the reduced photocatalyst, forming an anion that is easily protonated. After a tautomeric equilibrium, (Z)-2-(alkylsulfonyl)-1-arylethen-1-amines were formed, with good regioselectivity and complete control over the configuration of the double bond.³³²

Cyclobutanone oximes can be reduced via photocatalytic means in the presence of Ir(dtbbpy)(ppy)₂PF₆ to form γ-cyanoalkyl radicals after radical fragmentation. In this process, a vinyl sulfone was used having the dual role of radical acceptors and SO₂ source, allowing the synthesis of β-ketosulfones or allylsulfones through a radical transfer mechanism.³³³

4.2. Five-Membered Rings

Five-membered ring is one of the privileged structures accessible via photogenerated alkyl radicals. A common approach is the cyclization onto an alkyne to form an exocyclic double bond as exemplified in Scheme 106. In most cases, an alkyl halide is reduced by an excited photocatalyst and the resulting radical cyclizes in a 5-exo dig fashion to form the desired alkene. When using a dimeric gold complex 106–5 the reaction of alkyl bromide 106–1 generates diester 106–2 in 93% yield (Scheme 106a).³⁴³ Cyclopentanes were likewise formed starting from an unactivated alkyl iodide that underwent an intramolecular radical closure by using a strong reductant in the excited state (Ir(ppy)₂(dtb-bpy)PF₆). The iodine atom, however, was incorporated in the final product forming an alkenyl iodide.³⁴⁴ The same metal-based photocatalyst was effective to induce a visible light-promoted preparation of five-membered heterocycles (Scheme 106b). The cyclization step was applied on a Ueno–Stork reaction starting from 2-iodoethyl propargyl ethers (e.g., 106–3a,b) to construct a tetrahydrofuran ring (in 106–4a,b).³⁴⁵ The examples described in Scheme 106 required an amine as a sacrificial donor. However, amines can be used as efficient reducing agents by a PET reaction with excited alkynyl halides. The resulting photocyclization may then be carried out under metal-free conditions and in a flow photomicroreactor providing the preparation of five-membered rings in a 4 g scale.³⁴⁶

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Scheme 106

Metal-Photocatalyzed Synthesis of Cyclopentanes from Alkyl Halides

The dehalogenation/cyclization strategy was explored even under heterogeneous conditions by using platinum nanoparticles on titania (PtNP@TiO₂) as the photoredox catalyst. The pyrrolidine scaffold was then obtained by reaction of N-(2-iodoethyl)-4-methyl-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide under irradiation (DIPEA as sacrificial donor).³⁴⁷

As an alternative, a biphasic system may be adopted (Scheme 107). In fact, a polyisobutylene-tagged fac-Ir(ppy)₃ complex (Ir(ppy)₂(PIB-ppy)) soluble in heptane was prepared. The substrate 107–1 along with the reagents were soluble in a MeCN phase. However, heating at 85 °C allowed the two phases to mix. Preparation of tetrahydrofuran derivative 107–2 was then accomplished in continuous flow in a satisfying yield with an automatic recovery and reuse of the catalyst (Scheme 107).³⁴⁸

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Scheme 107

Photocatalyzed Synthesis of Tetrahydrofurans in Flow

Alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters were used as alkylation reagents in the functionalization of alkenoic acid 108–2 (Scheme 108). The alkyl radical added onto the double bond, and the resulting benzyl radical was oxidized to a benzyl cation readily trapped by water and cyclization of the resulting hydroxy acid gave alkyl-substituted lactones 108–3a–e in moderate yields.³⁴⁹

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Scheme 108

Photocatalyzed Lactonization of Alkenoic Acids

Alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters were exploited for the photocatalyzed (by a Ru^II complex) alkylation of N-arylacrylamides that caused the cyclization of the adduct radical onto the phenyl ring to afford 3,3-dialkyl substituted oxindoles.³⁵⁰ Moreover, the same radical precursors have been used for the derivatization of alkynylphosphine oxides under metal- and oxidant-free conditions to form benzo[b]phospholes in very good yields.³⁵¹

A five-membered ring may be accessed via late-stage C(sp³)-H functionalization in N-chlorosulfonamides 109–1 (Scheme 109a). The Ir^III-photocatalyzed reduction of 109–1 induced the elimination of the chloride anion along the formation of a N-centered radical prone to abstract a hydrogen atom from a remote position to afford an alkyl radical. Oxidation of this radical to the cation followed by incorporation of the chloride anion gave the corresponding chloride 109–2 that upon treatment with solid NaOH formed pyrrolidine 109–3 by an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution.³⁵² The mildness of the process allowed the application onto biologically important (−)-cis-myrtanylamine and (+)-dehydroabietylamine derivatives.

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Scheme 109

Photochemically Induced Synthesis of Pyrrolidines

A related intramolecular 1,5-HAT transfer was induced in N-tosyl amides 109–4a–e. In this case, the haloamide is formed in situ by iodination by reaction of 109–4a-e with iodine (obtained by oxidation of iodide anion by PhI(OAc)₂). The excess of iodine allowed for tuning the amount of iodine released in solution by forming the triiodide anion. Then, visible light irradiation of the mixture induced the cyclization to give N-tosylpyrrolidines 109–5a–e (Scheme 109b).³⁵³

Even primary nonactivated sp³-hybridized positions were functionalized again by a remote intramolecular radical 1,5-hydrogen abstraction in γ-bromoamides to produce several γ-lactones in a one-pot fashion.³⁵⁴ Trifluoroethyl amides were found useful as the directing group increasing the efficiency of the hydrogen abstraction process.

It is also possible to incorporate more than one heteroatom in the ring starting from benzyl amine 110–2 and unactivated bromides 110–1a–e (Scheme 110). Compound 110–2 incorporates CO₂ (with the help of the base TBD), and the resulting carbamate underwent attack by an alkyl radical photogenerated by reaction of 110–1a–e and an excited Pd⁰ photocatalyst (Pd(PPh₃)₄). Ring closing yielded valuable 2-oxazolidinones 110–3a–e under very mild conditions and easy scalability.³⁵⁵

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Scheme 110

Three-Component Synthesis of 2-Oxazolidinones

S.C. gratefully acknowledges MIUR (Ministry of University and Research) for the support.