skip to main content


Title: Photocatalytic Ketyl Radical Initiated C ketyl −C sp2 /C sp3 Coupling on ZnIn 2 S 4
Abstract

Visible‐light‐driven C−C bond formation utilizing ketyl radical (Cketyl) species has attracted increasing attention recently, as it provides a direct route for the synthesis of complex molecules. However, the most‐developed homogeneous photocatalytic systems for the generation and utilization of ketyl radicals usually entail noble metal‐based (e. g., Ru and Ir) photosensitizers, which suffer from not only high cost but also potential degradation and hence pose challenges in product separation and purification. In contrast, readily accessible, inexpensive, and recyclable semiconductors represent a class of attractive and alternative photocatalysts but remain much less explored for photocatalytic ketyl radical initiated C−C bond formation. This work demonstrates that a wide range of industrially important chemicals, including substituted chromanes and tertiary alcohols, can be produced on ZnIn2S4under visible light irradiation through intramolecular cyclization (Cketyl−Csp2) and intermolecular cross‐coupling (Cketyl−Csp3) reactions, respectively, using ketyl radicals. A suite of experimental studies aided by computational investigation were carried out to shed light on the mechanistic insights of these two types of ketyl radical initiated C−C coupling reactions on ZnIn2S4.

 
more » « less
Award ID(s):
1955358 1955336
NSF-PAR ID:
10419761
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Chemistry – A European Journal
Volume:
29
Issue:
33
ISSN:
0947-6539
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Abstract

    The trifluoromethoxy (OCF3) radical is of great importance in organic chemistry. Yet, the catalytic and selective generation of this radical at room temperature and pressure remains a longstanding challenge. Herein, the design and development of a redox‐active cationic reagent (1) that enables the formation of the OCF3radical in a controllable, selective, and catalytic fashion under visible‐light photocatalytic conditions is reported. More importantly, the reagent allows catalytic, intermolecular C−H trifluoromethoxylation of a broad array of (hetero)arenes and biorelevant compounds. Experimental and computational studies suggest single electron transfer (SET) from excited photoredox catalysts to1resulting in exclusive liberation of the OCF3radical. Addition of this radical to (hetero)arenes gives trifluoromethoxylated cyclohexadienyl radicals that are oxidized and deprotonated to afford the products of trifluoromethoxylation.

     
    more » « less
  2. Abstract

    The trifluoromethoxy (OCF3) radical is of great importance in organic chemistry. Yet, the catalytic and selective generation of this radical at room temperature and pressure remains a longstanding challenge. Herein, the design and development of a redox‐active cationic reagent (1) that enables the formation of the OCF3radical in a controllable, selective, and catalytic fashion under visible‐light photocatalytic conditions is reported. More importantly, the reagent allows catalytic, intermolecular C−H trifluoromethoxylation of a broad array of (hetero)arenes and biorelevant compounds. Experimental and computational studies suggest single electron transfer (SET) from excited photoredox catalysts to1resulting in exclusive liberation of the OCF3radical. Addition of this radical to (hetero)arenes gives trifluoromethoxylated cyclohexadienyl radicals that are oxidized and deprotonated to afford the products of trifluoromethoxylation.

     
    more » « less
  3. Single-electron reduction of a carbonyl to a ketyl enables access to a polarity-reversed platform of reactivity for this cornerstone functional group. However, the synthetic utility of the ketyl radical is hindered by the strong reductants necessary for its generation, which also limit its reactivity to net reductive mechanisms. We report a strategy for net redox-neutral generation and reaction of ketyl radicals. The in situ conversion of aldehydes to α-acetoxy iodides lowers their reduction potential by more than 1 volt, allowing for milder access to the corresponding ketyl radicals and an oxidative termination event. Upon subjecting these iodides to a dimanganese decacarbonyl precatalyst and visible light irradiation, an atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) mechanism affords a broad scope of vinyl iodide products with highZ-selectivity.

     
    more » « less
  4. The functionalization of methane, ethane, and other alkanes derived from fossil fuels is a central goal in the chemical enterprise. Recently, a photocatalytic system comprising [CeIVCl5(OR)]2−[CeIV, cerium(IV); OR, –OCH3or –OCCl2CH3] was disclosed. The system was reportedly capable of alkane activation by alkoxy radicals (RO•) formed by CeIV–OR bond photolysis. In this work, we present evidence that the reported carbon-hydrogen (C–H) activation of alkanes is instead mediated by the photocatalyst [NEt4]2[CeCl6] (NEt4+, tetraethylammonium), and RO• are not intermediates. Spectroscopic analyses and kinetics were investigated for C–H activation to identify chlorine radical (Cl•) generation as the rate-limiting step. Density functional theory calculations support the formation of [Cl•][alcohol] adducts when alcohols are present, which can manifest a masked RO• character. This result serves as an important cautionary note for interpretation of radical trapping experiments.

     
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    Herein, we present 2‐azaallyl anions as colored super‐electron‐donors capable of reducing a collection of aryl halides via a single electron transfer and coupling with the corresponding radicals to forge new C−C bonds. This offers a robust approach for the arylation of 2‐azaallyls. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the reactions proceed via either a radical pathway for aryl bromides and chlorides or a SNAr mechanism for activated aryl fluorides. Moreover, we demonstrate that irradiation of the colored 2‐azaallyl anions with visible light can further extend their reducing power, enabling radical‐mediated coupling with otherwise unreactive electron‐rich aryl halides. Isolated yields up to 94% are obtained and the overall relevance and utility is demonstrated by the derivatization of both a known pharmaceutical agent and a popular fluorophore.

    magnified image

     
    more » « less