Decarboxylative N-Alkylation of Azoles through Visible-Light-Mediated Organophotoredox Catalysis

Org Lett. 2021 Jul 16;23(14):5415-5419. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c01745. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

Abstract

An organophotoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling between azole nucleophiles and aliphatic carboxylic acid-derived redox-active esters is demonstrated. This protocol efficiently installs various tertiary or secondary alkyl fragments onto the nitrogen atom of azole nucleophiles under mild and transition-metal-free conditions. The pyridinium additive successfully inhibits the formation of elimination byproducts from the carbocation intermediate. This reaction is applicable to the synthesis of a protein-degrader-like molecule containing an azole and a thalidomide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't