Visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization: a catalyst-free synthetic approach to trifluoromethylated heterocycles

• Chuan Yang,
• Wei Shi,
• Jian Tian,
• Lin Guo,
• Yating Zhao and
• Wujiong Xia

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 118–124, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.12

• radicals. This method allows the efficient synthesis of various indole derivatives without the need of photocatalysts or transition-metal catalysts. Mechanism experiments indicate that the process involves a radical chain process initiated by the homolysis of Umemoto's reagent. This straightforward method

• enables a rapid access to heterocycles containing a trifluoromethyl group. Keywords: cascade reaction; indole derivatives; photocatalysis; radical chain process; trifluoromethylation; Introduction Dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indolone (DHPI) skeletons are commonly found in natural products and pharmaceutical

• ], Friedel–Crafts acylation [12], radical cascade reactions [2][13], and photoinduced radical cyclizations [14][15][16][17]. However, these methods often suffer from drawbacks such as harsh reaction conditions and the requirement of transition-metal catalysts. Although photocatalyzed cyclization reactions

Photoinduced in situ generation of DNA-targeting ligands: DNA-binding and DNA-photodamaging properties of benzo[c]quinolizinium ions

• Julika Schlosser,
• Olga Fedorova,
• Yuri Fedorov and
• Heiko Ihmels

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 101–117, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.11

• ). To clarify whether the mechanism of the DNA photodamage proceeds through the formation of radicals, experiments with commmonly employed radical scavengers were conducted (Table 3, Supporting Information File 1, Figure S17). In the presence of hydroxyl-radical scavengers DMSO, t-BuOH, and 2-propanol

• hydroxyl radicals [79] or interfere with the DNA damage by alternative pathways [80]. In any case, the significant decrease of DNA damage in the presence of the radical scavengers indicated the formation and direct or indirect participation of carbon radicals and hydroxyl radicals in the photoinduced DNA

• Information File 1, Figure S18A). In the presence of NaN3 (2.5 × 10−5 M), which is a known radical scavenger for singlet oxygen [82], a strand cleavage of 25% occurred, whereas 38% cleavage was observed in the absence of NaN3. Nevertheless, a larger access of the scavenger (2.5 × 10−4 M) resulted in a

Electron-beam-promoted fullerene dimerization in nanotubes: insights from DFT computations

• Laura Abella,
• Gerard Novell-Leruth,
• Josep M. Ricart,
• Josep M. Poblet and
• Antonio Rodríguez-Fortea

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 92–100, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.10

• and reversible process named phase 1. We find that the barriers for the radical cation mechanism are significantly lower than those found for the neutral pathway. The peapod is mainly providing one-dimensional confinement for the reaction to take place in a more efficient way. Car–Parrinello

• the reaction either via singlet excitation or via radical cation formation (Scheme 1). Estimation of the activation barrier for the [2 + 2] cycloaddition when the nanotube acts as a sensitizer is 33.5 ± 6.8 kJ mol−1. This value agrees with computational predictions for the reaction via an excited

• can also be activated through the formation of C60+• radical cation [3][9]. This mechanistic proposal for phase 1, which to our knowledge has not yet been explored in detail inside a carbon nanotube, is analyzed here and compared to the non-activated C60 dimerization. Finally, some intermediates for

Multi-redox indenofluorene chromophores incorporating dithiafulvene donor and ene/enediyne acceptor units

• Christina Schøttler,
• Kasper Lund-Rasmussen,
• Line Broløs,
• Philip Vinterberg,
• Ema Bazikova,
• Viktor B. R. Pedersen and
• Mogens Brøndsted Nielsen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 59–73, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.8

• Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF, Figure 1) is a redox-active molecule that has been widely explored in materials chemistry and supramolecular chemistry [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. TTF reversibly undergoes two sequential one-electron oxidations, generating first a radical cation (TTF+•) and subsequently a dication (TTF2

• rate: 0.1 V/s. All potentials are depicted against the Fc/Fc+ redox couple. Radical anion (left), dianion (middle), and radical cation (right) of compound 23; the radical anion has a 14πz-aromatic ring (highlighted in blue; only counting 2π-electrons of each triple bond, here defined as those in πz

Long oligodeoxynucleotides: chemical synthesis, isolation via catching-by-polymerization, verification via sequencing, and gene expression demonstration

• Yipeng Yin,
• Reed Arneson,
• Alexander Apostle,
• Adikari M. D. N. Eriyagama,
• Komal Chillar,
• Emma Burke,
• Martina Jahfetson,
• Yinan Yuan and
• Shiyue Fang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1957–1965, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.146

• and 401 nt long synthetic ssODNs, and functional in biological systems. Discussion For ODN purification using CBP, one major concern has been the damage of the ODN under the radical acrylamide polymerization conditions. Although some work has been done to prove that this is unlikely [22][23][24][25

Beyond n-dopants for organic semiconductors: use of bibenzo[d]imidazoles in UV-promoted dehalogenation reactions of organic halides

• Kan Tang,
• Megan R. Brown,
• Chad Risko,
• Melissa K. Gish,
• Garry Rumbles,
• Phuc H. Pham,
• Oana R. Luca,
• Stephen Barlow and
• Seth R. Marder

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1912–1922, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.142

• potentials of the halides that can be reduced in this way, quantum-chemical calculations, and steady-state and transient absorption spectroscopy suggest that UV irradiation accelerates the reactions via cleavage of the dimers to the corresponding radical monomers. Keywords: dehalogenation; n-dopant

• ; reduction; reductive dimerization; Introduction Reductive dehalogenation reactions of organic halides can be used in organic synthesis as a means of generating carbon-centered radical or anion intermediates and could have relevance to the treatment of waste halogenated polymers. While such reactions can be

• to any detectable BnSiMe3, thus supporting a radical dimerization pathway (see Supporting Information File 1, Table S3). As in the case of sp2 R–X systems, only small extents of dehalogenation for R = aryl are observed in the absence of reductants. For the more easily reduced aryl halides (3a–c

Controlling the reactivity of La@C₈₂ by reduction: reaction of the La@C₈₂ anion with alkyl halide with high regioselectivity

• Yutaka Maeda,
• Saeka Akita,
• Mitsuaki Suzuki,
• Michio Yamada,
• Takeshi Akasaka,
• Kaoru Kobayashi and
• Shigeru Nagase

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1858–1866, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.138

• reaction is believed to occur via electron transfer, followed by the radical coupling of La@C2v-C82 and benzyl radicals, rather than by bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction of La@C2v-C82 anion with 1. Keywords: electron transfer; metallofullerene; radical; reduction; Introduction Fullerenes

• derivatives followed by the radical coupling reaction is more plausible for the formation of the corresponding adducts rather than the SN2 reaction mechanism of the La@C2v-C82 anion with benzyl bromide derivatives. Conclusion The reaction of La@C2v-C82 anion with benzyl bromide derivatives 1 at 110 °C

• were strongly affected by the addition sites. Based on theoretical studies and considering the identified addition sites, a plausible reaction mechanism for the reaction is the electron transfer from La@C2v-C82 anion to benzyl bromide, followed by radical coupling. This demonstrates that one-electron

Thienothiophene-based organic light-emitting diode: synthesis, photophysical properties and application

• Recep Isci and
• Turan Ozturk

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1849–1857, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.137

• adapted with permission of Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and The Royal Society of Chemistry from [38] (“Cationic and radical polymerization using a boron–thienothiophene–triphenylamine based D-π-A type photosensitizer under white LED irradiation”) by A. Suerkan et al., Mol. Syst. Des. Eng

Recent advancements in iodide/phosphine-mediated photoredox radical reactions

• Tinglan Liu,
• Yu Zhou,
• Junhong Tang and
• Chengming Wang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1785–1803, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.131

• review, we primarily focus on summarizing the recent advancements in inexpensive and readily available iodide/phosphine-mediated photoredox radical transformations. Keywords: annulation; decarboxylative; iodide/phosphine; photocatalytic; radical reaction; Introduction Over the past few decades

• , numerous remarkable breakthroughs and notable progresses have been achieved in the realm of photoredox catalysis [1][2][3]. This domain has profoundly transformed modern organic synthesis, resulting in a considerable surge in research efforts centered on free radical reactions [4]. Presently, photoredox

• provided a more sustainable and economically viable approach but also demonstrated excellent performance in various transformations. It had been successfully applied to a series of radical reactions, including trifluoromethylation, deaminative alkylation, and asymmetric versions of Minisci reactions

Selectivity control towards CO versus H₂ for photo-driven CO₂ reduction with a novel Co(II) catalyst

• Lisa-Lou Gracia,
• Philip Henkel,
• Olaf Fuhr and
• Claudia Bizzarri

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1766–1775, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.129

• that the energy barriers of the reactions shown in Equation 2 and Equation 3 are lowered. In fact, the formation of the radical anion CO2−· takes place at −1.9 V versus normal hydrogen electrode (NHE), while the proton-assisted reductions of CO2 to CO and formic acid happen at −0.53 V and −0.61 V

• (helping in the deprotonation of the radical cation BIH•+ formed after the reductive quenching of the PS), but also can actively assist the catalysis, by capturing CO2 [50][51][52]. On the other hand, having three hydroxy groups, TEOA is also considered a proton donor and the formation of metal hydrides is

• accumulation of the reduced PS− species. We propose the following mechanism (Scheme 1). The PS absorbs a photon (420 nm) and in its excited state is quenched by BIH, which is deprotonated by the base (TEA) and forms a radical (BI·). Since this radical is highly reducing, it can happen that this species can

Benzoimidazolium-derived dimeric and hydride n-dopants for organic electron-transport materials: impact of substitution on structures, electrochemistry, and reactivity

• Swagat K. Mohapatra,
• Khaled Al Kurdi,
• Samik Jhulki,
• Georgii Bogdanov,
• John Bacsa,
• Maxwell Conte,
• Tatiana V. Timofeeva,
• Seth R. Marder and
• Stephen Barlow

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1651–1663, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.121

• strength and their reactivity with organic semiconductors (SC) does not depend solely on the SC reduction potential, since the first step, at least in many cases, is a hydride transfer rather than an electron transfer [8][9]. Moreover, as well forming the desired semiconductor radical anion SC•−, and the

• presumably dominant in the present case. The importance of radical stabilization may in part be because the positive charges in Y = H or alkyl 1+ ions is already substantially stabilized by the aromaticity of the benzimidazolium ions, whereas the spin densities of the corresponding 1• radicals are highly

• ring [57]. Presumably inductive effects destabilizing 1i+, different extents of planarization, and improved radical stabilization by the 5-(dimethylamino)-2-thienyl susbtituent play a role. As expected, R' = OMe groups on the six-membered benzimidazolium ring do have a net cation-stabilizing effect

Tying a knot between crown ethers and porphyrins

• Maksym Matviyishyn and
• Bartosz Szyszko

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1630–1650, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.120

• 1.70–2.50 ns. An apparent colour change was observed upon treatment of 42 with AgSbF6 and CuCl2, indicating radical cation formation 42•+. ESR spectra and coulometric oxidation experiments further supported the presence and stability of the radical species. The reactions of 38 with a pre-functionalized

Radical chemistry in polymer science: an overview and recent advances

• Zixiao Wang,
• Feichen Cui,
• Yang Sui and
• Jiajun Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1580–1603, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.116

• Zixiao Wang Feichen Cui Yang Sui Jiajun Yan School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd., Shanghai, 201210, China 10.3762/bjoc.19.116 Abstract Radical chemistry is one of the most important methods used in modern polymer science and industry. Over the

• past century, new knowledge on radical chemistry has both promoted and been generated from the emergence of polymer synthesis and modification techniques. In this review, we discuss radical chemistry in polymer science from four interconnected aspects. We begin with radical polymerization, the most

• employed technique for industrial production of polymeric materials, and other polymer synthesis involving a radical process. Post-polymerization modification, including polymer crosslinking and polymer surface modification, is the key process that introduces functionality and practicality to polymeric

C–H bond functionalization: recent discoveries and future directions

• Indranil Chatterjee

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1568–1569, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.114

• well as famous Noble-prize-winning cross-couplings, therefore approaching another step up towards sustainability. Likewise, a free-radical process is also a classical way to functionalize nonactivated C−H bonds in which site selectivity arises either from the relative strength of the C−H bonds or from

• the abstraction of intramolecular hydrogen atoms. Radical chemistry is a viable alternative to the two-electron process, involving C–H bond functionalization in the absence of any ligand and using low-cost redox-active metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, etc.) rather than heavy metals (Rh, Ir, etc.). Although radical

Lewis acid-promoted direct synthesis of isoxazole derivatives

• Dengxu Qiu,
• Chenhui Jiang,
• Pan Gao and
• Yu Yuan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1562–1567, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.113

• that the reaction is not a free radical reaction. Based on the control experiments and previous literature [21], we propose the following possible mechanism, which is shown in Scheme 5. Aluminum trichloride reacts with sodium nitrite to form an intermediate aluminum complex A, which is further

Synthesis of 5-arylidenerhodanines in L-proline-based deep eutectic solvent

• Stéphanie Hesse

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1537–1544, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.110

• screenings and they present a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities [1][2]. Thus, for example, 3,4-dihydroxybenzylidenerhodanine (A) showed a high antioxidant activity with 71.2% of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity [3]. Naphthalen-2-ylmethylidenerhodanine (B) has been

• recycled for several runs [20]. As some benzylidenerhodanine derivatives were already reported for their antioxidant activities [3], we investigated those compounds for their antioxidant activity expressed as percentage of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity. DPPH free radicals

• hydroxy group showed DPPH radical scavenging activity. Compound 3d with a catechol-like structure exhibited the best antioxidant activity. Experimental General procedure for the Knoevenagel condensation DES (0.8 g) was introduced in a 10 mL round-bottomed flask. Then, the aldehyde (0.5 mmol) and rhodanine

N-Sulfenylsuccinimide/phthalimide: an alternative sulfenylating reagent in organic transformations

• Fatemeh Doraghi,
• Seyedeh Pegah Aledavoud,
• Mehdi Ghanbarlou,
• Bagher Larijani and
• Mohammad Mahdavi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1471–1502, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.106

• ·H2O, FeSO4, and Fe(acac)3 resulted in inferior chemical yields. Employment of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) as a radical trapper inhibited the reaction, which proved that a radical process was involved. The reaction was initiated by a single electron transfer (SET) process from the

• sulfur atom to Fe3+ to generate Fe2+ and radical cation I. Subsequent cleavage of the N–S bond led to cation II and radical III. Interaction of III with Fe2+ regenerated the Fe3+ species and IV. At the same time, electrophilic addition of II to alkene 9 yielded intermediate V, which was subjected to the

• Scheme 31. Initially, homolytic cleavage of thiosulfonate 70 generated PhS· and PhSO2· radicals. The reduction of Ni(II) to Ni(0) in the presence of Cs2CO3 and the reaction with 68 formed alkynyl-Ni species I. Then, the PhS· radical reacted with I to generate alkenyl radical II, which can react with the

α-(Aminomethyl)acrylates as acceptors in radical–polar crossover 1,4-additions of dialkylzincs: insights into enolate formation and trapping

• Angel Palillero-Cisneros,
• Paola G. Gordillo-Guerra,
• Fernando García-Alvarez,
• Olivier Jackowski,
• Franck Ferreira,
• Fabrice Chemla,
• Joel L. Terán and
• Alejandro Perez-Luna

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1443–1451, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.103

• that α-(aminomethyl)acrylates are suitable acceptors for 1,4-additions of dialkylzincs in aerobic conditions. The air-promoted radical–polar crossover process involves the 1,4-addition of an alkyl radical followed by homolytic substitution at the zinc atom of dialkylzinc. Coordination of the nitrogen

• atom to zinc enables this SH2 process which represents a rare example of alkylzinc-group transfer to a tertiary α-carbonyl radical. The zinc enolate thus formed readily undergoes β-fragmentation unless it is trapped by electrophiles in situ. Enolates of substrates having free N–H bonds undergo

• levels of chiral induction, paving the way to enantioenriched β2-amino acids and β2,2-amino acids. Keywords: β-amino acids; tandem reactions; radical–polar crossover; tert-butanesulfinamide; zinc radical transfer; Introduction Dialkylzinc reagents react in aerobic medium with a range of α,β-unsaturated

Application of N-heterocyclic carbene–Cu(I) complexes as catalysts in organic synthesis: a review

• Nosheen Beig,
• Varsha Goyal and
• Raj K. Bansal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1408–1442, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.102

• primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides. The mechanistic investigation revealed the generation of a silyl–copper intermediate which activates the alkyl halides by a single electron transfer to form alkyl radical intermediates [54]. It was suggested that substituting B2pin2 for PhMe2Si-Bpin would

Visible-light-induced nickel-catalyzed α-hydroxytrifluoroethylation of alkyl carboxylic acids: Access to trifluoromethyl alkyl acyloins

• Feng Chen,
• Xiu-Hua Xu,
• Zeng-Hao Chen,
• Yue Chen and
• Feng-Ling Qing

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1372–1378, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.98

• ., Zibo 256401, China 10.3762/bjoc.19.98 Abstract A visible-light-induced nickel-catalyzed cross coupling of alkyl carboxylic acids with N-trifluoroethoxyphthalimide is described. Under purple light irradiation, an α-hydroxytrifluoroethyl radical generated from a photoactive electron donor–acceptor

• nickel-catalyzed coupling of aryl bromides with an α-hydroxytrifluoroethyl radical for the synthesis of trifluoromethyl aryl alcohols [39]. Encouraged by this work, we envisioned that the nickel-catalyzed coupling of carboxylic acids-derived acyl electrophiles with an α-hydroxytrifluoroethyl radical

• light-induced charge transfer event to give trifluoroethoxyl radical B, followed by a 1,2-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), producing the stable radical C. For the nickel cycle, it is initiated by oxidative addition of Ni(0) catalyst E to acyl electrophile D formed in situ from carboxylic acid 1 with

Synthesis of ether lipids: natural compounds and analogues

• Marco Antônio G. B. Gomes,
• Alicia Bauduin,
• Chloé Le Roux,
• Romain Fouinneteau,
• Wilfried Berthe,
• Mathieu Berchel,
• Hélène Couthon and
• Paul-Alain Jaffrès

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1299–1369, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.96

Non-noble metal-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenation coupling (CDC) involving ether α-C(sp³)–H to construct C–C bonds

• Hui Yu and
• Feng Xu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1259–1288, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.94

• oxidant to generate an oxygen-radical cationic intermediate, which undergoes abstraction of a hydrogen radical (or loses a proton first, followed by an electron) to afford an oxonium ion intermediate. Finally, the oxonium ion is attacked by various nucleophiles to obtain the target functionalized product

• . Route b: the α-C(sp3)–H bonds are activated by a combination of transition metals and radical initiators to give the alkyl radicals, which are coupled with other radical receptors to afford the target product. Cu-catalyzed reactions Copper (common oxidation states are +I, +II and +III) has a

• , tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydropyran can smoothly react with many methyl aryl ketones to obtain the desired coupling products (Scheme 6a) [54]. The mechanism of the dehydrogenation cross-coupling reaction may undergo a radical pathway. Initially, the tert-butoxy radical produced by the dissociation of t-BuOOH may

Radical ligand transfer: a general strategy for radical functionalization

• David T. Nemoto Jr,
• Kang-Jie Bian,
• Shih-Chieh Kao and
• Julian G. West

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1225–1233, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.90

• challenging-to-generate “uncontrollable” species prone to side reactions to versatile reactive intermediates enabling construction of myriad C–C and C–X bonds. This maturation of free radical chemistry has been enabled by several advances, including the proliferation of efficient radical generation methods

• , such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), alkene addition, and decarboxylation. At least as important has been innovation in radical functionalization methods, including radical–polar crossover (RPC), enabling these intermediates to be engaged in productive and efficient bond-forming steps. However, direct

• engagement of alkyl radicals remains challenging. Among these functionalization approaches, a bio-inspired mechanistic paradigm known as radical ligand transfer (RLT) has emerged as a particularly promising and versatile means of forming new bonds catalytically to alkyl radicals. This development has been

Enabling artificial photosynthesis systems with molecular recycling: A review of photo- and electrochemical methods for regenerating organic sacrificial electron donors

• Grace A. Lowe

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1198–1215, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.88

• Figure 4 can be reduced to a stable radical and reoxidized in aqueous media [65]. Depending on the pH, the reduction potential to form the 2 electron-reduced species is close to that of the stable radical. In non-aqueous media analogues of this species form stable 2 electron-reduction products. In

• candidates for electron donors in systems that require PCET because PCET prevents dimerizable radical formation. However, a too low pH value could be detrimental. The redox potentials recorded for BNAH were also reported to be very sensitive to the electrode material. Many carbon dioxide reduction systems

• -Dimethylamino)toluene (DMT), has been used as a sacrificial electron donor in artificial photosynthesis [3]. The radical species that forms after oxidation can dimerize by forming a carbon–carbon bond which cannot be broken by re-reduction [3][73]. Voltammetric studies to identify the byproducts of DMT

Exploring the role of halogen bonding in iodonium ylides: insights into unexpected reactivity and reaction control

• Carlee A. Montgomery and
• Graham K. Murphy

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1171–1190, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.86

• -effect; Introduction Iodonium ylides are a subset of hypervalent iodine (HVI) reagents that were first reported in 1957 by Neiland [1]. These have since been investigated under a variety of thermal, photochemical, radical and transition metal-catalyzed conditions [2], and they have been successfully

• intermediate was not viable under such mild conditions. The initially proposed ionic pathway (Figure 5, left) was abandoned as solvent effects had little influence on the reaction rate, and since no Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement products were detected with bicyclic olefin precursors. Radical-based pathways

• proposed that electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex 36 was initially formed between 32 and a sacrificial equivalent of 31, and that 36 underwent a SET to give radical anion 37 and radical cation 38 (Figure 8). While one equivalent of the ylide orchestrated a series of proton transfer (PT) and SET events