Divergent [2 + n] Heteroannulation of β-CF3-1,3-enynes with Alkyl Azides via Hydrogen Atom Transfer and Radical Substitution

Org Lett. 2024 Feb 2;26(4):889-894. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c04041. Epub 2024 Jan 22.

Abstract

A copper-promoted divergent intermolecular [2 + n] heteroannulation of β-CF3-1,3-enynes with alkyl azides via alkyl radical-driven HAT and radical substitution (C-C bond formation) to form four- to ten-membered saturated N-heterocycles is developed. This method enables the aryl-induced or kinetically controlled site selective functionalization of the remote C(sp3)-H bonds at positions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 toward the nitrogen atom through triplet nitrene formation, radical addition across the C═C bond, HAT and radical substitution cascades, and features a broad substrate scope, excellent site selectivity, and facile late-stage derivatization of bioactive molecules. Initial deuterium-labeling and control experiments shed light on the reaction mechanism via nitrene formation and HAT.