Switchable Regioselective 6- endo or 5- exo Radical Cyclization via Photoredox Catalysis

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Mar 9;144(9):3776-3781. doi: 10.1021/jacs.2c00192. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Abstract

Controlling the regioselectivity of radical cyclizations to favor the 6-endo mode over its kinetically preferred 5-exo counterpart is difficult without introducing substrate prefunctionalization. To address this challenge, we have developed a simple method for reagent controlled regioselective radical cyclization of halogenated N-heterocycles onto pendant olefins. Radical generation occurs under mild photoredox conditions with control of the regioselectivity governed by the rate of hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Utilizing a polarity-matched thiol-based HAT agent promotes the highly selective formation of the 5-exo cyclization product. Conversely, limiting the solubility of the HAT reagent Hantzsch ester (HEH) leads to selective formation of the thermodynamically favored 6-endo product. This occurs through an initial 5-exo cyclization, with the resulting alkyl radical intermediate undergoing neophyl rearrangement to form the 6-endo product. Development of this switchable catalysis strategy allows for two modes of divergent reactivity to form either the 6-endo or 5-exo product, generating fused N-heteroaromatic/saturated ring systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cyclization
  • Hydrogen*
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Hydrogen