Selective Reduction of Triple Bond via Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer for the Synthesis of α, β-Unsaturated γ-Lactams

Org Lett. 2024 May 10;26(18):3982-3986. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c01235. Epub 2024 May 1.

Abstract

Described herein is the development of a visible-light-induced photoredox 1,6-enyne reductive cyclization via selective reduction of a triple bond instead of an activated double bond. The selective 1,6-enyne radical cyclization/carbon═carbon double bond cleavage provided a straightforward route to structurally valuable α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams. TEMPO-trap experiments, control experiments, and DFT calculations have offered evidence supporting the possible catalytic cycle.