Combining the best of both worlds: radical-based divergent total synthesis

• Kyriaki Gennaiou,
• Antonios Kelesidis,
• Maria Kourgiantaki and
• Alexandros L. Zografos

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1–26, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.1

• the erythrinadienone intermediate 182. On contrary, common scaffold 180 should hydrolyze to sebiferine-type scaffolds in the presence of water. Taking these results into account, the group exploited the ability of HFIP to stabilize the radical cation formed by PIFA and BF3·EtO2 [95][96] to selectively

• ). Thus, upon irradiation, iridium polypyridyl photocatalyst allowed the oxidation of the phosphate complex 207 to radical cation 206, which can be readily trapped by TEMPO, and hence stabilizing the imine and allowing cyclization with the pendant amine to form the pyrroloindoline core 210 in 81% yield

• presence of appropriate additives (Scheme 18). According to the postulated mechanism, the reaction is initiated by an SET of the dicinnamyl ether substrate to Fukuzumi’s salt 233, leading to radical cation 216. Earlier findings of the same group [107] revealed that substitution on the aryl groups is the

Redox-active molecules as organocatalysts for selective oxidative transformations – an unperceived organocatalysis field

• Elena R. Lopat’eva,
• Igor B. Krylov,
• Dmitry A. Lapshin and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1672–1695, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.179

• -diamines [111] (Scheme 21A). The proposed reaction mechanism suggests the generation of a triarylamine radical cation, which oxidizes the vinylarene by a SET mechanism. The resultant vinylarene cation radical X is attacked by the sulfamide nucleophile with Y formation. The second oxidative SET leads to the

Naphthalimide-phenothiazine dyads: effect of conformational flexibility and matching of the energy of the charge-transfer state and the localized triplet excited state on the thermally activated delayed fluorescence

• Kaiyue Ye,
• Liyuan Cao,
• Davita M. E. van Raamsdonk,
• Zhijia Wang,
• Jianzhang Zhao,
• Daniel Escudero and
• Denis Jacquemin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1435–1453, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.149

• spectroelectrochemistry of the compounds was studied (Figure 7). For NI-PTZ, when a positive potential of +0.53 V (vs Ag/AgNO3) was applied, the hallmark absorption bands of the PTZ•+ radical cation centered at 516, 794, and 891 nm are observed [20]. These bands are similar to the ones observed for the previously

• the impact of the conformational restriction on the photophysical properties of NI-PhMe2-PTZ. We underline that the absorption of the CT states of the dyads may not be the “simple sum” of the absorption of the radical cation and the radical anion of the dyads, obtained by the spectroelectrochemistry

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-mediated tailoring of triterpenoids and steroids in plants

• Karan Malhotra and
• Jakob Franke

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1289–1310, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.135

• compound I (intermediate G), it is now generally accepted as a ferryl (Fe(IV)) oxo species with a radical cation in the porphyrin system [18][23]. In the case of hydroxylations, the oxygen from compound I (intermediate G) can then be transferred by an oxygen rebound mechanism (steps 7 and 8) via the ferryl

A Streptomyces P450 enzyme dimerizes isoflavones from plants

• Run-Zhou Liu,
• Shanchong Chen and
• Lihan Zhang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1107–1115, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.113

• addition, radical cation addition, and electrophilic aromatic addition, have also been proposed [1][10][29]. A proposed mechanism is depicted in Scheme 2: First, the hydroxy group on the A- or B-ring is converted into a radical by a P450-induced single-electron transformation. The resulting radical then

Radical cation Diels–Alder reactions of arylidene cycloalkanes

• Kaii Nakayama,
• Hidehiro Kamiya and
• Yohei Okada

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1100–1106, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.112

• 183-8509, Japan 10.3762/bjoc.18.112 Abstract TiO2 photoelectrochemical and electrochemical radical cation Diels–Alder reactions of arylidene cycloalkanes are described, leading to the construction of spiro ring systems. Although the mechanism remains an open question, arylidene cyclobutanes are found

• to be much more effective in the reaction than other cycloalkanes. Since the reaction is completed with a substoichiometric amount of electricity, a radical cation chain pathway is likely to be involved. Keywords: arylidene cycloalkane; Diels–Alder reaction; radical cation; single-electron transfer

• ; spiro ring system; Introduction Single-electron transfer is one of the simplest modes for small molecule activation, employing a polarity inversion to generate radical ions which have proven to be unique reactive intermediates in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. A radical cation Diels–Alder

Electrochemical vicinal oxyazidation of α-arylvinyl acetates

• Yi-Lun Li,
• Zhaojiang Shi,
• Tao Shen and
• Ke-Yin Ye

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1026–1031, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.103

• ). The enol acetate A first undergoes anodic oxidation to form a radical cation intermediate B, which is then intercepted by azidotrimethylsilane to afford the benzyl radical C. Subsequently, this radical is further anodically oxidized to its oxocarbenium ion intermediate D, which finally reacts with

Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of twisted dibenzo[g,p]chrysene derivatives

• Tomoya Imai,
• Ryuhei Akasaka,
• Naruhiro Yoshida,
• Toru Amaya and
• Tetsuo Iwasawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 963–971, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.96

• groups are introduced in place of the isopropyl groups, which has a 0.06 V higher oxidation potential than that of MeO-DBC-1. This indicates that alkyl substituents in the X position are effective in stabilizing the radical cation, thus making it more susceptible to oxidation. Unlike DBC-H, an

Introducing a new 7-ring fused diindenone-dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]thiophene unit as a promising component for organic semiconductor materials

• Valentin H. K. Fell,
• Joseph Cameron,
• Alexander L. Kanibolotsky,
• Eman J. Hussien and
• Peter J. Skabara

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 944–955, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.94

• Figure 9, for the generation of a radical cation and dication at half-wave potential values of +0.65 V (ΔEp = 0.05 V) and +0.87 V (ΔEp = 0.06 V), respectively. Two reduction waves, corresponding to the radical anion and dianion, can be seen at the half-wave potentials of −1.51 V (ΔEp = 0.06 V) and −1.64

Tetraphenylethylene-embedded pillar[5]arene-based orthogonal self-assembly for efficient photocatalysis in water

• Zhihang Bai,
• Krishnasamy Velmurugan,
• Xueqi Tian,
• Minzan Zuo,
• Kaiya Wang and
• Xiao-Yu Hu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 429–437, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.45

• transfer from EsY•− to the substrate α-bromoacetophenone (1a) gives the corresponding acetophenone radical, whilst EsY•− is oxidized to EsY. The acetophenone radical combines with a H-atom abstracted from the radical cation of the Hantzsch ester to form acetophenone (2a) as the final product and diethyl

DABCO-promoted photocatalytic C–H functionalization of aldehydes

• Bruno Maia da Silva Santos,
• Mariana dos Santos Dupim,
• Cauê Paula de Souza,
• Thiago Messias Cardozo and
• Fernanda Gadini Finelli

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2959–2967, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.205

• a reactive species, often used in catalytic amounts, capable of promoting a highly selective homolytic cleavage of the C–H bond that results in a carbon-centered radical [5][6]. Nitrogenated structures are easily oxidized under mild conditions into their radical or radical cation forms [7], being

• a common inexpensive organic base with two nitrogen atoms in a bicyclic cage structure. The interaction between these two nitrogen atoms makes DABCO easier to oxidize and improves the lifetime of the radical cation species when compared to quinuclidine [7]. Investigation of DABCO as a hydrogen

• accessibility, it is still underused, and has only recently started to gain attention from the synthetic community. Murphy and co-workers reported the use of the DABCO radical cation, generated by a stoichiometric oxidant (TPTA-PF6), as a hydrogen abstractor for alpha-nitrogen C–H functionalization [21] (Figure

Visible-light-mediated copper photocatalysis for organic syntheses

• Yajing Zhang,
• Qian Wang,
• Zongsheng Yan,
• Donglai Ma and
• Yuguang Zheng

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2520–2542, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.169

• ] discovered the photoinduced, copper-catalyzed cyanofluoroalkylation of alkenes and fluoroalkyl iodides 12. The reaction was initiated by the reduction of CuII with tertiary amines, which formed CuICN and an amine radical cation [55]. Under irradiation by ultraviolet light, CuICN was excited and transformed

• cation I and a CuI species. This process regenerated CuII in the presence of molecular oxygen. The deprotonation of the nitrogen radical cation produces an α–amino radical II, which was further oxidized to the iminium ion III to which the copper alkynylide added forming the desired product (Scheme 17

• photophysical properties (Scheme 16). In 2019, Vlla’s group [76] explored the copper-catalyzed alkynylation of dihydroquinoxalin-2-ones 34 with terminal alkynes under irradiation. 4-Benzyl-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one 35 was subjected to an oxidation process with a CuII salt to generate a nitrogen radical

Synthesis of phenanthridines via a novel photochemically-mediated cyclization and application to the synthesis of triphaeridine

• Songeziwe Ntsimango,
• Kennedy J. Ngwira,
• Moira L. Bode and
• Charles B. de Koning

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2340–2347, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.152

• synthesis of trisphaeridine to afford the product in four linear steps in an overall yield of 6.5% from 1-bromo-2,4,5-trimethoxybenzene. Keywords: aromatic compounds; cyclization; iminyl radical; phenanthridines; radical cation; synthesis; UV irradiation; Introduction Phenanthridine derivatives have

• having a methoxy substituent as the leaving group for the formation of phenanthridines. Structure–reactivity relationship studies also indicated that an ortho- or para-methoxy group must be present to stabilize the incipient radical or radical cation intermediate. We propose that the reaction is

• proceeding by means of the initial generation of an iminyl radical that cyclizes onto the electron-rich aromatic ring or through the formation of a radical cation on the electron-rich benzene ring. Finally, the methodology has successfully been applied to synthesizing the natural product trisphaeridine

Towards new NIR dyes for free radical photopolymerization processes

• Haifaa Mokbel,
• Guillaume Noirbent,
• Didier Gigmes,
• Frédéric Dumur and
• Jacques Lalevée

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2067–2076, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.133

• as an electron-donating component with the radical cation dye•+ and therefore, the dye/borate system is able to generate additional free radicals in the reaction medium, improving, in turn, the polymerization process (Scheme 7). This behavior has already been reported in the literature and is in full

Methodologies for the synthesis of quaternary carbon centers via hydroalkylation of unactivated olefins: twenty years of advances

• Thiago S. Silva and
• Fernando Coelho

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1565–1590, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.112

• reaction was observed in its absence. The authors highlighted the role of the solvent hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) in the stabilization of the radical cation induced by PET and its assistance in the hydrogen shift process. Miscellaneous Lewis acid catalysis in olefin hydroalkylation reactions The ability

Breaking paracyclophane: the unexpected formation of non-symmetric disubstituted nitro[2.2]metaparacyclophanes

• Suraj Patel,
• Tyson N. Dais,
• Paul G. Plieger and
• Gareth J. Rowlands

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1518–1526, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.109

• , protonation might not be the key step, and the highly oxidizing nature of nitration conditions that can lead to the formation of a cationic intermediate via a radical cation might control this reaction [68]. A possible mechanism for the formation of 5 and 6 starts with protonation of 1 give the Wheland

Synthetic reactions driven by electron-donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes

• Zhonglie Yang,
• Yutong Liu,
• Kun Cao,
• Xiaobin Zhang,
• Hezhong Jiang and
• Jiahong Li

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 771–799, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.67

• additive to give corresponding thiophene radical 76 and aniline radical cation under irradiation with light. Then, 76 reacted with 73, giving rise to corresponding radical 77. Finally, product 74 was given via hydrogen atom transfer (Scheme 26). In contrast to (hetero)aryl halides with indispensable

• occurs, giving radical 146 and radical cation 147, respectively. Finally, radical 146 undergoes decarboxylation to afford an aryl radical and then combines with radical cation 147, yielding product 144 (Scheme 50). It should be noted that only when NHPI is firstly activated can it turn into an electron

CF₃-substituted carbocations: underexploited intermediates with great potential in modern synthetic chemistry

• Anthony J. Fernandes,
• Armen Panossian,
• Bastien Michelet,
• Agnès Martin-Mingot,
• Frédéric R. Leroux and
• Sébastien Thibaudeau

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 343–378, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.32

• nonfluorinated analogues (Eox (PhNMe2) = +0.71 V (SCE)), the radical cation 180 is formed under the reaction conditions, and deprotonation at the methylene unit near the CF3 group is highly favored because of the higher acidity, accounting for the observed high regioselectivity. In addition, the transient

• methoxylation or acetoxylation, respectively (Scheme 53). The driving force in this reaction is assumed to be the deprotonation of radical cation 215, a highly destabilized species due to the presence of the strongly electron-withdrawing CF3 substituent, which leads to radical 216, synergistically stabilized by

Metal-free synthesis of biarenes via photoextrusion in di(tri)aryl phosphates

• Hisham Qrareya,
• Lorenzo Meazza,
• Stefano Protti and
• Maurizio Fagnoni

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 3008–3014, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.250

• –20-fold amount. Furthermore, the aryl radical/cation addition onto the aromatic reactant may lead to a mixture of regioisomers when using non-symmetrical Ar–H. A possible solution is having recourse to an intramolecular free radical ipso substitution reaction where an XSO2 tether is placed between

On the mass spectrometric fragmentations of the bacterial sesterterpenes sestermobaraenes A–C

• Anwei Hou and
• Jeroen S. Dickschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2807–2819, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.231

• radical cation 1•+ is obtained from which the methyl group C23 can directly be lost by an α-cleavage leading to fragment a1+ (Scheme 1A). However, the radical centred at the bridgehead carbon C11 is orthogonal to, or in other words, not in conjugation with the radical cation at C12–13. Therefore, an

3-Acetoxy-fatty acid isoprenyl esters from androconia of the ithomiine butterfly Ithomia salapia

• Florian Mann,
• Daiane Szczerbowski,
• Lisa de Silva,
• Melanie McClure,
• Marianne Elias and
• Stefan Schulz

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2776–2787, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.228

• explained by the different stabilization of the respective ions (Figure 3). The abundance of m/z 68 is higher in isoprenyl esters due to the more stable allyl radical cation (Figure 3A). In contrast, prenyl ester fragmentation produces a stabilized allyl cation m/z 69 (Figure 3B), while isoprenyl esters

Recent developments in enantioselective photocatalysis

• Callum Prentice,
• James Morrisson,
• Andrew D. Smith and
• Eli Zysman-Colman

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2363–2441, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.197

• ]•+, with the latter oxidising 22 to give radical cation 22•+ and turn over the photocatalytic cycle. The radical cation 22•+ is then proposed to participate in a two-step electron and proton exchange process with [CoII] to give [H–CoIII] and iminium ion 24, likely via a [CoI] intermediate. [H–CoIII] can

• investigations [21] showed that after excitation of the EDA complex, the electrophilic radical 40• that is formed enters the same chain propagation cycle as in Scheme 1, whereas the radical cation 41•+ is proposed to be unstable and decomposes. The third approach, also developed by Melchiorre et al., was based

• subsequently oxidise 60 to give a nucleophilic radical R• that enters a similar RCA cycle as for Scheme 7. However, in the absence of an external photocatalyst, radical cation intermediate 62•+ is reduced by another molecule of 60, thus propagating a radical chain mechanism that leads to the formation of

Photosensitized direct C–H fluorination and trifluoromethylation in organic synthesis

• Shahboz Yakubov and
• Joshua P. Barham

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2151–2192, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.183

• them to propose that Selectfluor® is not only a fluorine source but that its radical cation participates as a HAT agent. When they substituted AQN (T1 = 61.9 kcal⋅mol−1) for 9-fluorenone (T1 = 50.3 kcal⋅mol−1) or alizarin red S (T1 = 34.0 kcal⋅mol−1), insignificant amounts of the fluorinated amyl

• ) compared to singlet Selectfluor® (N–F = 1.37 Å, Figure 9). After the immediate dissociation of triplet Selectfluor®, the formed Selectfluor® N-radical cation undergoes HAT with the substrate to afford an alkyl radical. The authors deemed a complex between AQN and fluorine (AQN + F) more plausible than the

• formation of fluorine radicals. The generated alkyl radical could abstract fluorine atoms either from i) the AQN–F complex to regenerate AQN or ii) Selectfluor® to regenerate the Selectfluor® radical cation and thereby propagate a chain reaction. Following shortly after Tan’s report, Chen and co-workers

When metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization meets visible-light photocatalysis

• Lucas Guillemard and
• Joanna Wencel-Delord

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1754–1804, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.147

• single electron-transfer process (Figure 36). In the first place, a bidentate chelated species is formed by the coordination of 1-naphthylamine derivatives with copper salt. The subsequent oxidation of this intermediate with potassium persulfate produces a Cu(III) species, furnishing a radical cation on

Heterogeneous photocatalysis in flow chemical reactors

• Christopher G. Thomson,
• Ai-Lan Lee and
• Filipe Vilela

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1495–1549, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.125