Photoelectrochemical Asymmetric Catalysis Enables Enantioselective Heteroarylcyanation of Alkenes via C-H Functionalization

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Aug 30;145(34):18753-18759. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c07146. Epub 2023 Aug 15.

Abstract

The asymmetric difunctionalization of alkenes, a method transforming readily accessible alkenes into enantioenriched chiral structures of high value, has long been a focal point of organic synthesis. Despite tremendous efforts in this domain, it remains a considerable challenge to devise enantioselective oxidative dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes, even though these transformations can utilize stable and unfunctionalized functional group donors. In this context, we report herein a photoelectrocatalytic method for the enantioselective heteroarylcyanation of aryl alkenes, which employs unfunctionalized heteroarenes through C-H functionalization. The photoelectrochemical asymmetric catalysis (PEAC) method combines photoredox catalysis and asymmetric electrocatalysis to facilitate the formation of two C-C bonds operating via hydrogen (H2) evolution and obviating the need for external chemical oxidants.