Norcaradiene Synthesis via Visible-Light-Mediated Cyclopropanation Reactions of Arenes

Org Lett. 2019 Nov 1;21(21):8814-8818. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b03453. Epub 2019 Oct 16.

Abstract

Cyclopropanation reactions of carbenes with arenes provide a straightforward pathway to norcaradienes or cycloheptatrienes. This reaction normally requires harsh reaction conditions or transition-metal catalysts. In this report, we describe the metal-free visible-light photolysis of aryl diazoacetates in aromatic solvents, which provides access to the norcaradiene ring system in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. The mild reaction conditions of this approach also allow chemoselective cyclopropanation of substituted arenes without competing C-H functionalization reactions.