Deoxygenation of oximes for the synthesis of pyrrolines via hydroimination cyclization

Org Biomol Chem. 2023 Apr 26;21(16):3350-3354. doi: 10.1039/d3ob00072a.

Abstract

Herein, we report the generation of iminyl radicals through photocatalytic deoxygenation of oximes with trivalent phosphine. The hydroimination reaction proceeded via β-scission of a phosphoranyl radical, followed by 5-exo-trig cyclization of the resulting iminyl radical. This protocol transforms oximes, including alkyl oximes, into a variety of pyrrolines in moderate to good yields. A radical clock experiment confirmed the formation of a cyclic radical and supported our reaction design.