De novo synthesis of imidazoles by visible-light-induced photocatalytic aerobic oxidation/[3+2] cycloaddition/aromatization cascade

Abstract

A visible-light-induced photocatalytic aerobic oxidation/[3+2] cycloaddition/aromatization cascade between secondary amines and isocyanides has been successfully developed. The reaction provides a general and efficient access to diversely substituted imidazoles and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5 H)-ones in good yields under mild conditions.

Keywords: cascade; cycloaddition; imidazoles; oxidation; photochemistry.