Aqueous Amine-Tolerant [2+2] Photocycloadditions of Unactivated Olefins

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Nov 2;144(43):19689-19694. doi: 10.1021/jacs.2c08778. Epub 2022 Oct 21.

Abstract

The Kochi-Salomon reaction is the only photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition capable of combining two electronically unactivated olefins into a cyclobutane. Yet, the reaction has remained largely unexplored and suffers many drawbacks, most notably an intolerance to Lewis/Brønsted basic amines and amides. Since these groups are ubiquitous in biologically active pharmaceuticals, an amine-tolerant Kochi-Salomon reaction would greatly facilitate rapid exploration of novel drug scaffolds. Herein, we disclose a transformation that is run in water with the most widely available Cu(II) salts and mineral acids. Furthermore, we apply this methodology to synthesize a variety of amine-containing cyclobutanes, including known and novel pharmacological analogues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes*
  • Amines
  • Catalysis
  • Cyclobutanes*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Water

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Amines
  • Cyclobutanes
  • Water