Visible-Light-Enabled Ortho-Selective Aminopyridylation of Alkenes with N-Aminopyridinium Ylides

J Am Chem Soc. 2020 Jul 15;142(28):12420-12429. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c05025. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Abstract

By utilizing an underexplored reactivity mode of N-aminopyridinium ylides, we developed the visible-light-induced ortho-selective aminopyridylation of alkenes via radical-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The photocatalyzed single-electron oxidation of N-aminopyridinium ylides generates the corresponding radical cations that enable previously inaccessible 1,3-cycloaddition with a broader range of alkene substrates. The resulting cycloaddition adducts rapidly undergo subsequent homolytic cleavage of the N-N bond, conferring a substantial thermodynamic driving force to yield various β-aminoethylpyridines. Remarkably, amino and pyridyl groups can be installed into both activated and unactivated alkenes with modular control of ortho-selectivity and 1,2-syn-diastereoselectivity under metal-free and mild conditions. Combined experimental and computational studies are conducted to clarify the detailed reaction mechanism and the origins of site selectivity and diastereoselectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't