A Radical Smiles Rearrangement Promoted by Neutral Eosin Y as a Direct Hydrogen Atom Transfer Photocatalyst

J Am Chem Soc. 2020 Jul 1;142(26):11357-11362. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c02052. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Abstract

A visible-light-mediated radical Smiles rearrangement has been achieved using neutral eosin Y as a direct hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) photocatalyst. Novel N-heterocycles as single diastereomers featuring an isothiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxide moiety are directly accessed by this method. A wide range of functional groups can be incorporated in the products by employing diverse aldehydes and N-(hetero)arylsulfonyl propiolamides. The transformation proceeds through a cascade of visible-light-induced HAT, 1,4-addition, Smiles rearrangement, 5-endo-trig cyclization, and a reverse HAT process. Preliminary biological studies of the highly functionalized heterocyclic compounds suggest potential anticancer activity with some of the synthesized compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't