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A novel photo-induced strategy for oxidation of organosilanes to access silanols, promoted by a photoactive charge-transfer complex (CTC) between sodium benzenesulfinate and molecular O2, has been developed.

Tunable photoredox-catalyzed chlorosulfonylation and oxysulfonylation of α-trifluoromethylstyrenes with sulfonyl chloride were facilely achieved by simply manipulating the photocatalyst and solvent.

A photocatalytic protocol for the synthesis of β-amino acid ester and β-amino ketone derivatives is developed using simple and easy-to-synthesize oxime oxalate and oxime phenylglyoxylate as difunctionalization reagents.

The modular cyanoalkylamination of alkenes using bench-stable and easy-to-handle α-imino-oxy acid oxime esters as difunctional reagents creates new synthetic avenues. A metal-free photosensitization protocol for the installation of both amino and cyanoalkyl functionalities onto alkene feedstocks in a single step via two differently reactive nitrogen-centered radicals was developed via energy-transfer catalysis. Excellent functional group tolerance and mild reaction conditions also render this protocol suitable for the cyanoalkylamination of pharmaceutically relevant molecule-derived alkenes.

A visible-light-driven, photocatalyst-free route starting from easily accessed ortho-hydroxycinnamic esters and O-perfluoropyridin-4-yl oximes has been successfully developed to rapidly assemble a wide range of 3-cyanoalkyl coumarins. This process does not require addition of external photocatalysts, exhibiting beneficial features including mild reaction conditions, synthetic simplicity, and excellent substrate compatibility. Extensive mechanistic investigations revealed that the in situ generated phenolate anions served as photosensitizers to drive this photoinduced transformation.

A visible-light-induced/phosphite-promoted anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of alkenes with N-hydroxyphthalimide was successfully realized, which was initiated by a proton-coupled electron transfer to enable direct cleavage of its N–O bond. Both experimental and computational studies were performed to probe the reaction mechanism. A wide range of alkenes, including vinyl ethers, silanes, and sulfides as well as electronically unbiased terminal and internal alkenes, were well tolerated in this hydroamination protocol.

A visible-light-induced, catalyst-free radical cross-coupling cyclization of diselenides or disulfides with N-allylbromodifluoroacetamide has been developed. This developed protocol exhibits good f...

The first photoredox-catalyzed defluoroborylation of polyfluoroarenes with NHC-BH3 has been facilely achieved at room temperature via a single-electron-transfer (SET)/radical addition pathway. This new strategy makes full use of the advantage of photoredox catalysis to generate the key boryl radical via direct activation of a B-H bond. Good functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity offer this protocol incomparable advantages in preparing a wide array of valuable polyfluoroarylboron compounds. Moreover, both computational and experimental studies were performed to illustrate the reaction mechanism.

O-Perfluoropyridin-4-yl group was first installed onto cycloketone oximes as a new electrophore, which was proven to be efficient iminyl radical precursors under photocatalytic and thermal conditions. A range of O-perfluoropyridin-4-yl oximes were successfully utilized in C(sp2)-C(sp3) bond formations of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and alkenes, providing facile accesses to a range of functionalized alkylnitriles.

A photoinduced SET process enables the direct B-H bond activation of NHC-boranes. In contrast to common hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) strategies, this photoinduced reaction simply takes advantage of the beneficial redox potentials of NHC-boranes, thus obviating the need for extra radical initiators. The resulting NHC-boryl radical was used for the borylation of a wide range of α-trifluoromethylalkenes and alkenes with diverse electronic and structural features, providing facile access to highly functionalized borylated molecules. Labeling and photoquenching experiments provide insight into the mechanism of this photoinduced SET pathway.

One-pot ring-opening/ring-closure process of combining methyleneindolinone with 3-aminooxindole has been developed in this work. Novel polycyclic spirooxindoles were efficiently assembled under mild conditions in high yields (up to 95 %) with moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to >95:5 d.r.) through simple filtration.

A visible-light-driven, photocatalyst-free route starting from easily accessed

Acyl oximes are directly used as the acyl radical precursors in the hydroacylation reactions for the first time. In this work, acyl radicals can be effectively generated via β-scission of a phospho...

A novel palladium-catalysed ring-opening [3 + 2]-annulation of spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindole with α,β-unsaturated nitroalkenes is reported. A series of spirooxindole derivatives were synthesized in high yields and good to excellent diastereoselectivities. This developed protocol offers a new and efficient pathway for the assembly of spirooxindoles.

A visible-light-induced, catalyst-free radical cross-coupling cyclization of diselenides or disulfides with

An l-pyroglutamic acid-derived bifunctional organocatalyst was designed and applied in an organocatalytic asymmetric direct aldol reaction between isatins and cyclohexanone, in which an erosion of enantiomeric excess of aldol adduct was unexpectedly observed. Through closely monitoring the reaction and performing extensive control experiments, it was determined that the erosion of ee was attributed to a rare stereospecific retro-aldol process. Moreover, effective manipulation of the retro-aldol process by tuning the use of starting materials was ultimately accomplished, leading to evidently upgraded enantioselectivity and functional group tolerance. This study demonstrates the impact of the hidden reaction pathway on the enantioselectivity in asymmetric transformation.

Practical and diastereospecific three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of methyleneindolinones, isatins and diverse primary amino acids have been well established. A range of pyrrolidinyldispirooxindole scaffolds with wide structural diversity and complexity were obtained facilely in excellent yields under mild conditions, which hold promising applications in their further pharmacological studies.

A facile and enantioselective access to a functionalized octahydroacridine scaffold was developed via an organocatalytic domino sequence between cyclohexenone and 2- N-substituted benzaldehyde. High levels of yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99:1 er) were readily achieved in this developed organocatalytic transformation, which holds promising applications in the construction of complex multicyclic systems for further pharmacological studies.

A facile and diversified synthesis of functionalized CF2-containing benzoxepine derivatives via photoredox catalysis was achieved in this work. This novel protocol features broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, easy scale-up, and versatile derivatization, which would facilitate its practical and broad applications in the construction of valuable and synthetically challenging heterocycles.

An efficient and diastereoselective decarboxylative oxa-1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between 3-oxindoles and diverse amino acids is developed to access novel oxazolidine-dispirooxindole skeletons bearing vicinal quaternary carbon centers. This protocol features operational simplicity, a broad substrate scope, and good to excellent chemical yields and diastereoselectivities. In particular, minimal solvent (1 mL/10 mmol) and chromatography-free purification render this synthetic process more efficient and environmentally benign in the context of green chemistry.

A facile visible-light photocatalytic conjugate addition to prepare 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds has been developed by employing readily available aroyl chlorides as aryl radical sources. This operationally simple method shows a broad scope with regard to both aroyl chlorides and Michael acceptors. As a result, a variety of 1,4-diketones were efficiently synthesized in moderate to good yields.

A practical protocol for the direct aminoalkylation of isatins with tetrahydroisoquinolines and other amines via a photoredox catalyzed radical–radical cross-coupling process is described. Various 3-hydroxy-3-aminoalkylindolin-2-ones with eminent diastereoselectivity were efficiently assembled in good to excellent yield under mild conditions, thus providing a facile route to rapidly access 3-substituted-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones of potential biological importance.

An unusual ligand-to-palladium-ratio-dependent reversal of enantioselectivity was systematically observed in the asymmetric Pd-catalysed [3+3]-annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetate with 4-hydroxycoumarin or 1,3-cyclohexanedione. The absolute configurations of the annulation products can be readily inversed by simply modifying L/Pd ratio from 1:3 to 2:1.

A general and straightforward protocol for di-/perfluoroalkylation of ortho-hydroxycinnamic esters via a photoredox-catalyzed cascade was developed to access a variety of 3-fluoroalkylated coumarins. This method was characterized by all-in-one synthetic design, simplified operation, mild reaction conditions, and broad substrate scope. Moreover, a sequential one-pot procedure starting from commercially available salicylaldehyde was also successfully realized to synthesize 3-fluoroalkylated coumarins.

A photoinduced, phosphoranyl radical-mediated protocol for the direct N-O cleavage of strained cycloketone oximes via a polar/SET crossover process was developed for the first time. This visible-light-driven direct N-O activation mode for oxime offers beneficial features such as streamlined synthetic process and versatile photochemical reactivities. Consequently, the alkenes and α-trifluoromethyl alkenes with varied electronic and structural features acted as competent radical receptors in this protocol, enabling facile accesses to a range of elongated cyano and/or gem-difluoroalkene-bearing compounds.

An efficient intramolecular [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of in situ-formed salicylaldehyde-based N,N′-cyclic azomethine imines was successfully developed to access novel tetracyclic skeleton bearing three contiguous stereogenic centres. This established protocol features high functional-group tolerance, excellent chemical yields, good diastereoselectivities, and variable reaction conditions.

A practical and straightforward synthetic route to construct a variety of 3-CF2/CF3-containing chromones via photoredox catalysis was developed. This novel protocol features a visible-light-induced radical-triggered tandem cyclization.

An intramolecular [3 + 2]-annulation of amide-linked donor-acceptor cyclopropane with in situ-generated imine is described. As a result, diverse hexahydropyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolinones, as the tricyclic core of martinellines, were efficiently assembled in good to excellent yield (up to 93%) with a good diastereomeric ratio (up to 98:2).

The unprecedented aerobic oxidative ring-opening-initiated cascades of isatins with 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline were explored, in which the reaction sequence could be readily modulated by simply introducing a protecting group in the isatin. Consequently, quinazoline-2,4-diones and polycyclic 2,3-dihydro-4(1H)-quinazolinones with potential bioactivities were efficiently assembled in moderate chemical yields.

A visible-light-induced difluoroalkylation of N,N'-cyclicazomethine imine was successfully realized through a novel photoredox radical-radical cross-coupling reaction. This developed protocol exhibits high functional group tolerance and affords a variety of difluorinated 3-pyrazolidinone scaffolds. Extensive mechanistic investigations have been undertaken, well revealing the involvement of a reductive radical-radical coupling pathway.

The highly diastereoselective intramolecular [3+2] annulation via the ring-opening of a cyclopropane diester derivative has been developed to construct a dihydroquinolinone scaffold. A series of tricyclic dihydroquinolinones bearing one or two all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers were obtained in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 20 : 1 dr). Moreover, the amide-linking mode shows obviously beneficial effects on the ring-opening of cyclopropane.

A facile and diversified synthesis of functionalized CF

With the aid of in situ protection by N-(2-formylphenyl)-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide, enantioselective allylic alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with diethyl 2-aminomalonate was successfully realized. The corresponding adducts can be obtained in up to 99% yield with up to 98% ee as well as excellent regioselectivity. Besides, the adducts with opposite configurations were readily prepared by utilizing easily available and inexpensive quinine or quinidine as organocatalyst. Facile deprotection of the resulting adduct provides straightforward access to enantiopure α-methylene-γ-lactam.

A diversity-driven three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of isatins, amino acids and isatin-derived ketimines was developed to facilely assemble dispirooxindole-imidazolidine skeletons bearing vicinal quaternary carbon centers. This protocol features additive-free, minimal solvent usage (0.1 mL DMSO/0.2 mmol scale), wide substrate scope (34 examples), mild reaction conditions (room temperature) and high chemical yield (up to 99%).

A practical and straightforward synthetic route through a Selectfluor-triggered tandem cyclization of o-hydroxyarylenaminone was developed to construct a variety of difluorinated 2-amino-substituted chromanones. This novel protocol features mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, and broad substrate scope. The enamine moiety in o-hydroxyarylenaminone played dual roles to enable high efficiency in the difluorination and intramolecular cyclization, leading to the accomplishment of a new class of difluorinated 2-amino-substituted chromanones for pharmaceutical studies.

Reductive dimerization of isatin and its derivatives can be regarded as a step-economical pathway to construct 3,3′-disubstituted bisoxindoles, which was unfortunately accompanied by severe direct reduction as well as low efficiency. A visible-light driven, photoredox-catalytic protocol was developed to readily furnish 3,3′-dihydroxy- (dl-, > 20:1 dr) and 3,3′-diamino-bisoxindoles (meso-, 3.5:1 to 5:1 dr) in moderate to good yields, successfully circumventing the common problem. Two vicinal quaternary carbon centers were effectively assembled under the irradiation of visible light.

The highly diastereoselective intramolecular [3+2] annulation via the ring-opening of a cyclopropane diester derivative has been developed to construct a dihydroquinolinone scaffold. A series of tricyclic dihydroquinolinones bearing one or two all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers were obtained in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 20 : 1 dr). Moreover, the amide-linking mode shows obviously beneficial effects on the ring-opening of cyclopropane.

A series of novel 2,3- or 2,5-dispirooxindole-piperazine ring systems were efficiently constructed through the acid-promoted self-1,3-dipolar [3+3] cyclizations of azomethine ylides derived from isatin with various primary or cyclic secondary amines. Interestingly, the regioselectivity of this self-[3+3] cyclization could be effectively tuned by varying the structural features of substrates. The unprecedented 2,5-dispirooxindole-piperazine skeleton was achieved in good diastereoselectivity by employing 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, while using pyrrolidine or glycine methyl ester furnished the 2,3-dispirooxindole-piperazine scaffold in excellent diastereoselectivity (only a single isomer formed).

A series of novel 2,3- or 2,5-dispirooxindole-piperazine ring systems were efficiently constructed through the acid-promoted self-1,3-dipolar [3+3] cyclizations of azomethine ylides derived from isatin with various primary or cyclic secondary amines. Interestingly, the regioselectivity of this self-[3+3] cyclization could be effectively tuned by varying the structural features of substrates. The unprecedented 2,5-dispirooxindole-piperazine skeleton was achieved in good diastereoselectivity by employing 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, while using pyrrolidine or glycine methyl ester furnished the 2,3-dispirooxindole-piperazine scaffold in excellent diastereoselectivity (only a single isomer formed).