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1. A general strategy for C(sp3)–H functionalization with nucleophiles using methyl radical as a hydrogen atom abstractor

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27165-z  

   Leibler, Isabelle Nathalie-Marie; Tekle-Smith, Makeda A.; Doyle, Abigail G. (December 2021, Nature Communications)

   Abstract Photoredox catalysis has provided many approaches to C(sp 3 )–H functionalization that enable selective oxidation and C(sp 3 )–C bond formation via the intermediacy of a carbon-centered radical. While highly enabling, functionalization of the carbon-centered radical is largely mediated by electrophilic reagents. Notably, nucleophilic reagents represent an abundant and practical reagent class, motivating the interest in developing a general C(sp 3 )–H functionalization strategy with nucleophiles. Here we describe a strategy that transforms C(sp 3 )–H bonds into carbocations via sequential hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and oxidative radical-polar crossover. The resulting carbocation is functionalized by a variety of nucleophiles—including halides, water, alcohols, thiols, an electron-rich arene, and an azide—to effect diverse bond formations. Mechanistic studies indicate that HAT is mediated by methyl radical—a previously unexplored HAT agent with differing polarity to many of those used in photoredox catalysis—enabling new site-selectivity for late-stage C(sp 3 )–H functionalization. 

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2. Transition-metal-free C(sp ³ )–H/C(sp ³ )–H dehydrogenative coupling of saturated heterocycles with N -benzyl imines

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC00031K  

   Liu, Zhengfen; Li, Minyan; Deng, Guogang; Wei, Wanshi; Feng, Ping; Zi, Quanxing; Li, Tiantian; Zhang, Hongbin; Yang, Xiaodong; Walsh, Patrick J. (January 2020, Chemical Science)

   A unique C(sp 3 )–H/C(sp 3 )–H dehydrocoupling of N -benzylimines with saturated heterocycles is described. Using super electron donor (SED) 2-azaallyl anions and aryl iodides as electron acceptors, single-electron-transfer (SET) generates an aryl radical. Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from saturated heterocycles or toluenes to the aryl radical generates alkyl radicals or benzylic radicals, respectively. The newly formed alkyl radicals and benzylic radicals couple with the 2-azaallyl radicals with formation of new C–C bonds. Experimental evidence supports the key hydrogen-abstraction by the aryl radical, which determines the chemoselectivity of the radical–radical coupling reaction. It is noteworthy that this procedure avoids the use of traditional strong oxidants and transition metals. 

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3. Cleavage of Carbon Dioxide C=O Bond Promoted by Nickel‐Boron Cooperativity in a PBP‐Ni Complex

   https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202306315  

   Álvarez‐Rodríguez, Lucía; Ríos, Pablo; Laglera‐Gándara, Carlos J; Jurado, Andrea; Fernández‐de‐Córdova, Francisco José; Gunnoe, T Brent; Rodríguez, Amor (August 2023, Angewandte Chemie International Edition)

   Abstract The synthesis and characterization of (^tBuPBP)Ni(OAc) (5) by insertion of carbon dioxide into the Ni−C bond of (^tBuPBP)NiMe (1) is presented. An unexpected CO₂cleavage process involving the formation of new B−O and Ni−CO bonds leads to the generation of a butterfly‐structured tetra‐nickel cluster (^tBuPBOP)₂Ni₄(μ‐CO)₂(6). Mechanistic investigation of this reaction indicates a reductive scission of CO₂by O‐atom transfer to the boron atom via a cooperative nickel‐boron mechanism. The CO₂activation reaction produces a three‐coordinate (^tBuP₂BO)Ni‐acyl intermediate (A) that leads to a (^tBuP₂BO)−Ni^Icomplex (B) via a likely radical pathway. The Ni^Ispecies is trapped by treatment with the radical trap (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO) to give (^tBuP₂BO)Ni^II(η²‐TEMPO) (7). Additionally,¹³C and¹H NMR spectroscopy analysis using¹³C‐enriched CO₂provides information about the species involved in the CO₂activation process. 

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4. C–H functionalization reactions enabled by hydrogen atom transfer to carbon-centered radicals

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC04881J  

   Sarkar, Sumon; Cheung, Kelvin Pak; Gevorgyan, Vladimir (December 2020, Chemical Science)

   null (Ed.)

   Selective functionalization of ubiquitous unactivated C–H bonds is a continuous quest for synthetic organic chemists. In addition to transition metal catalysis, which typically operates under a two-electron manifold, a recent renaissance in the radical approach relying on the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process has led to tremendous growth in the area. Despite several challenges, protocols proceeding via HAT are highly sought after as they allow for relatively easy activation of inert C–H bonds under mild conditions leading to a broader scope and higher functional group tolerance and sometimes complementary reactivity over methods relying on traditional transition metal catalysis. A number of methods operating via heteroatom-based HAT have been extensively reported over the past few years, while methods employing more challenging carbon analogues have been less explored. Recent developments of mild methodologies for generation of various carbon-centered radical species enabled their utilization in the HAT process, which, in turn, led to the development of remote C(sp 3 )–H functionalization reactions of alcohols, amines, amides and related compounds. This review covers mostly recent advances in C–H functionalization reactions involving the HAT step to carbon-centered radicals. 

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5. Direct, stereoselective thioglycosylation enabled by an organophotoredox radical strategy

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC04136J  

   Ji, Peng; Zhang, Yueteng; Gao, Feng; Bi, Fangchao; Wang, Wei (December 2020, Chemical Science)

   null (Ed.)

   While strategies involving a 2e − transfer pathway have dictated glycosylation development, the direct glycosylation of readily accessible glycosyl donors as radical precursors is particularly appealing because of high radical anomeric selectivity and atom- and step-economy. However, the development of the radical process has been challenging owing to notorious competing reduction, elimination and/or S N side reactions of commonly used, labile glycosyl donors. Here we introduce an organophotocatalytic strategy through which glycosyl bromides can be efficiently converted into corresponding anomeric radicals by photoredox mediated HAT catalysis without a transition metal or a directing group and achieve highly anomeric selectivity. The power of this platform has been demonstrated by the mild reaction conditions enabling the synthesis of challenging α-1,2- cis -thioglycosides, the tolerance of various functional groups and the broad substrate scope for both common pentoses and hexoses. Furthermore, this general approach is compatible with both sp 2 and sp 3 sulfur electrophiles and late-stage glycodiversification for a total of 50 substrates probed. 

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