Synthesis of Benzo-Fused Cyclic Ketones via Metal-Free Ring Expansion of Cyclopropanols Enabled by Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Org Lett. 2021 Jun 18;23(12):4710-4714. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c01436. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Abstract

The metal-free ring expansion of cyclopropanols containing a pendant styrene moiety was successfully achieved using a proton-coupled electron transfer enabled by an organic photoredox catalyst. Through this, variants of 1-tetralone and 1-benzosuberone bearing a substituent at the benzylic position were selectively obtained through the regioselective ring closure of alkyl radical intermediates depending on the substitution pattern of the alkene moiety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't