Photocatalytic Modular Cyanoalkylamination of Alkenes Involving Two Different Iminyl Radicals

Org Lett. 2022 Nov 4;24(43):8019-8024. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c03233. Epub 2022 Oct 20.

Abstract

The modular cyanoalkylamination of alkenes using bench-stable and easy-to-handle α-imino-oxy acid oxime esters as difunctional reagents creates new synthetic avenues. A metal-free photosensitization protocol for the installation of both amino and cyanoalkyl functionalities onto alkene feedstocks in a single step via two differently reactive nitrogen-centered radicals was developed via energy-transfer catalysis. Excellent functional group tolerance and mild reaction conditions also render this protocol suitable for the cyanoalkylamination of pharmaceutically relevant molecule-derived alkenes.