Valorization of Biomass-Derived Platform Molecules via Photoredox Sustainable Catalysis

The conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals has promise for application in biorefineries.Light-driven photoredox catalysis,with the typical features of green route and operation under mild conditions,is considered a promising strategy for renewable biomass or biomass-derived intermediates conversion into high-value-added chemical feedstocks.In this review,we strongly emphasize the recent advances in photocatalytic valorization of lignin model compounds and biomassderived alcohols.We briefl y summarize the advances in photocatalytic cleavage of theβ-O-4 bond or C–C bond into usable chemicals in the lignin model.On the other hand,we clarify not only the hybrid system for cooperative biomass-relevant alcohols oxidation and hydrogen(H2)evolution but also the tunable accessibility to variation of the target products from the same alcohol reactant by catalyst design and optimization of reaction conditions.It is hoped that this review will inspire the rational design of photoredox catalysis-based systems toward efficient biomass-derived platform molecules valorization to obtain target-oriented valuable products.

The Role of <i>P&tau;</i>in the Photothermoelectric Effect and in Photoredox Catalysis Reactions

Context and Background: Recent research has shown that the amount of energy conserved in light-matter interaction is given by the product of light’s power P times its period &tau;, i.e. P&tau;. To date, evidences of the validity of such finding are restricted to the interaction of light with capacitors, infrared spectroscopy, and vision in vertebrates. Motivation: In this article, we want to explore the validity of the role of P&tau;in a broader range of phenomena. Hypothesis: We assume that the photothermoelectric (PTE) effect and photoredox catalysis reactions (PCRs) are manifestations of light-matter interaction and therefore have P&tau;conserved in the process. Method: We take the data published in two articles, one on the PTE effect and the other on PCRs and revisit the data analysis of the authors of the original articles considering P&tau;as the energy conserved. Results: In the case of the PTE effect, we unveil that the size of the light’s beam cross-sectional area impinging on the photodetectors plays a major role in defining the performance of the photodetectors. With our analysis, the photodetector responsivities actually turn out to be higher than those reported in the original article. In the case of the PCRs, we find that the magnitude of P&tau;involved in successful PCRs is independent of the type of light used, whether near-infrared or blue. In addition, the involvement of P&tau;in the description of PCRs helps to clarify the role of the law of conservation of energy, which was neglected by the authors of the original article. Conclusions: From this study, we infer that the hypothesis that P&tau;that the hypothesis that represents the amount of energy conserved in light-matter interaction is valid and general, useful to measure device performance, and predict alternative processes to achieve desired outcomes.

Metallaphotoredox-Catalyzed Three-Component Couplings for Practical Synthesis of Ureas and Carbamates

Ureas are widely used in drugs,materials and catalysts because of their diamide structure,which can form strong hydrogen bonds.Therefore,it is of great scientific significance to develop efficient and green methods for the synthesis of urea compounds,especially unsymmetrical ureas.Here,we have disclosed novel and highly efficient three-component coupling reactions of organic halides,sodium cyanate and amines enabled by nickel/photoredox dual catalysis for the preparation of unsymmetrical ureas.The reaction features simple and safe operations,broad substrate scopes,and product diversities.It allows the facile synthesis of N-aryl/vinyl ureas from readily available,user-friendly feedstocks under mild conditions(27 examples,36%—98%yields).In addition,this method is further derived to alcohols as nucleophiles to synthesize a series of carbamates(15 examples,40%—95%yields).The mechanism experiment shows that the isocyanate produced by the coupling of halide and sodium cyanate may be the key intermediate in this reaction.

Cooperative NHC/Photoredox Catalysis:Three-Component Reaction of Aroyl Fluorides,Styrenes and Oxalates

Cooperative NHC/photoredox catalysis has emerged as an important research field in recent years.Herein,this article describes the use of cesium salt derivatives of tert-alcohols as alkyl radical precursors in a three-component reaction with styrene and aromatic acyl fluorides to synthesizeα-arylalkyl aryl ketones.The aroyl fluoride reacts with the NHC catalyst,leading to the formation of an acyl azolium ion.This acyl azolium ion can then be reduced by the photoredox catalyst,generating the corresponding ketyl radical anion.The C-radical generated from oxalate oxidation undergoes an addition reaction with the styrene derivative,followed by cross-coupling of the addition radical with the ketone radical,which is fragmented by NHC to give the target ketone.

Direct enantioselective reduction of C=C bond ofβ-polyfluoro-alkylated enones via asymmetric photoredox catalysis

Direct enantioselective reduction of the C=C bond ofβ-polyfluoro-alkylated enones is an important but long-pending subject in asymmetric catalysis.Here,we report on the viability of visible light-driven cooperative photoredox and chiral hydrogenbonding catalysis to effectively address this challenge,as a variety of products are obtained in high yields(up to 85%)with good to excellent enantioselectivities(up to 98%ee).The formation of thermodynamically favorable enol intermediates after double single-electron reduction represents the center of the success.Additionally,the utility of the current method is validated by the convenient regio-specific and-diverse synthesis of various deuterated derivatives for these products using inexpensive D_(2)O as the deuterium source.

Photoredox catalytic alkylarylation of alkynes with arylsulfonylacetate as bifunctional reagent

Difunctionalization of alkynes represents a powerful and straightforward approach to the synthesis of complex molecules.However,the radical difunctionalization of alkynes mediated by bifunctional reagents remains challenging and underexplored,despite significant progress having been made in alkene difunctionalization.Here,we report a novel arylsulfonylacetate skeleton in which aryl rings are attached to acetates through SO_(2),serving as a powerful bifunctional reagent for the alkylarylation of alkynes via vinyl-radical intermediate under photoredox conditions.This modular bifunctional reagent enables the simultaneous incorporation of a wide range of functional groups,including(hetero)aryl ring and alkyl carboxylate into alkynes,resulting in synthetically valuable all-carbon tetrasubstituted alkene derivatives.This transformation is distinguished by its redox-neutral nature,readily accessible starting materials,compatibility with diverse functional groups and its capacity to facilitate convergent synthesis.The utility of this approach was further demonstrated by the late-stage functionalization of complex molecules and the preparation of fluorescent molecules and anti-cancer drugs.

Photoredox-catalyzed C-glycosylation of peptides with glycosyl bromides

Glycosyl radicals,produced under mild photoredox conditions,show unique utility in the preparation of C-linked glycoconjugates.We herein report the construction of C-glycosidic bonds on α,β-dehydroalanine(DHA)of peptides with easily available glycosyl bromides as glycosyl radical precursors under highly anomeric control,leading to C-glycosylation modifications of peptides.This method not only has outstanding functional group compatibility,but also is feasible in near-physiological conditions(pH~7 and temperature T≤37℃ in aqueous media).

Difluoroalkylation/Lactonization of Alkenes with BrCF_(2)CO_(2)K via Photoredox Catalysis:Access toα,α-Difluoro-γ-lactones

Due to its unique electronic properties,the difluoromethylene group(CF2)has served as a valuable unity in the design of biologically active molecules.Sinceγ-lactones display a broad range of biological properties,α,α-difluoro-γ-lactones may exhibit unexpected biological activities,and thus their synthesis has received increasing attention.Traditional synthetic methods suffer from tedious multi-step processes,and very few effective methods have been reported recently.Herein,we describe the difunctionalization of alkenes with BrCF_(2)CO_(2)K under photoredox catalysis with the use of a boron-Lewis acid for the access toα,α-difluoro-γ-lactones.In this transformation,the alkene substrates and the used reagents,including BrCF_(2)CO_(2)K and the boron-Lewis acid,PhB(OH)2 or BF3·THF,are cheap and widely available.High efficiency and atom economy may make this protocol attractive.

Anthrazoline Photocatalyst for Promoting Esterification and Etherification Reactions via Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis

Here,we demonstrate a readily prepared anthrazoline photocatalyst,which can effectively promote C—O bond formation reactions with the aid of Ni(II)complex.This methodology enables the esterification(36 examples)and etherification(8 examples)with a broad range of scope,allowing aryl and alkyl halides coupled with diverse carboxylic acids/alcohols.Our metal-free photocatalysts have a potential broad application,may serve as an alternative to some iridium and ruthenium based photocatalysts,and are of potential importance to the pharmaceutical industry.

Interfacial engineering of CdS for efficient coupling photoredox

Ternary composites of reduced graphene oxide(GR)-CdS-Pd have been successfully synthesized via solvothermal and photodeposition methods for photocatalytic selective conversion of benzyl alcohol(BA)coupled with hydrogen(H_(2))production, which exhibit significantly improved photoactivity and selectivity than bare CdS. Mechanistic studies unveil that the cooperative effect of the close interface contact and matched energy level alignment between electrical conducting GR nanosheets(NSs) and CdS nanoparticles(NPs) in GR-CdS-Pd composite not only benefits the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers but also improves the photocorrosion resistance of CdS. The photodeposited Pd NPs further promote the photogenerated charge separation and accelerate the formation of intermediate products(α-hydroxybenzyl radicals), thereby contributing to enhanced conversion of BA. This work would facilitate the rational design of GR as cocatalyst to construct an efficient and stable CdS-based composite photocatalyst for cooperative coupling of fine chemical synthesis and H_(2) evolution.

Modular synthesis of 1,4-diketones through regioselective bis-acylation of olefins by merging NHC and photoredox catalysis

Efficient and modular synthesis of structurally diverse 1,4-diketones from readily available building blocks represents an essential but challenging task in organic chemistry.Herein,we report a multi-component,regioselective bis-acylation of olefins by merging NHC organocatalysis and photoredox catalysis.With this protocol,a broad range of 1,4-diketones could be rapidly assembled using bench-stable feedstock materials.The robustness of this method was further evaluated by sensitivity screening,and good reproductivity was observed.Moreover,the diketone products could be readily converted into functionalized heterocycles,such as multi-substituted furan,pyrrole,and pyridazine.Mechanistic investigations shed light on the NHC and photoredox dual catalytic radical reaction mechanism.

Photoredox Synthesis of Thio-Functionalized Cyclic Ethers Using N-Sulfenyl Phthalimides as a Thiyl-Radical Precursor

Comprehensive Summary A visible-light mediated exclusively regioselective synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted thio-functionalized tetrahydrofurans,tetrahydro-pyrans and oxepanes has been described through an operationally simple and mild photoredox protocol.Thiyl radical generated from N-phenylsulfenyl phthalimide by photoredox catalysis was proven to be the key reactive intermediate in this reaction.

Cu/photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative radical C(sp^(3))–C(sp^(3))cross-coupling reactions

A radical decarboxylative C(sp^(3))–C(sp^(3))cross-coupling of NHPI esters and cyclopropanols was developed by combining photocatalysis and copper catalysis,which presents the efficient access toβ-benzyl ketones in excellent yields.Terpyridin-4′-one used as the ligand is vital for the reaction,which could facilitate the capture of benzylic radicals by alkyl-copper species generated from copper-catalyzed ring-opening of cyclopropanols.The reaction exhibited broad substrate scope and wide functional group compatibility,providing an alternative approach for C(sp^(3))–C(sp^(3))bond formation.

Chlorine Atom Transfer of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides Enabled by Zirconocene and Photoredox Catalysis

Alkyl chlorides are robust precursors to carbon radicals;however,their relative inertness has hampered their practical use.Although modern photochemical strategies have greatly enhanced the utility of alkyl chlorides as radical precursors,these methods often depend on strongly reducing conditions leading to unproductive side reactions.Here,we report a catalytic radical generation from 1°,2°,and 3°unactivated alkyl chlorides with zirconocene and photoredox catalysis,which enables both hydrogenation and borylation on a range of structurally complex molecules.This mild zirconocene-catalyzed protocol shows that zirconium can render the C−Cl bond cleavage more exergonic and can lower the activation energy of the transition state,amplifying the ability of metallocenes toward halogen atom transfer.

可见光催化CO_(2)参与的芳基烯烃碳碳双键断键羧基化反应

烯烃广泛存在于自然界中,在医药、农药和材料等领域具有重要应用.烯烃的C=C键断裂和转化是许多工业过程的基础,可以实现烃类资源的重组与利用.目前,C=C键参与的氧化裂解和烯烃复分解反应已有广泛的研究.相比而言,C=C键参与的还原裂解虽然是烯烃与一系列亲电试剂反应合成功能分子的重要途径,但受限于烯烃自身结构和反应特点,该过程存在较大的挑战,目前研究很少.CO_(2)具有储量丰富、廉价易得、无毒且可循环再生等优点,是合成多种大宗化学品及精细化学品的理想碳一资源.然而,CO_(2)由于热力学稳定性及动力学惰性,在温和条件下难以高效、高选择性转化.因此,利用CO_(2)参与烯烃C=C键还原裂解,选择性构建高值化合物,是一个重要且具有挑战性的研究方向.近年来,可见光催化由于具有反应条件温和、官能团兼容性高等优点,为有机合成等领域提供了新的发展机遇.本文利用二环己基甲基胺作为电子给体,成功实现了可见光催化CO_(2)参与的芳基烯烃C=C键断键羧基化反应.该反应成功的关键在于,二环己基甲基胺既能高效还原淬灭激发态光敏剂并参与烯烃的胺基烷基-羧基化反应,又不明显抑制胺基烷基化中间体对激发态光敏剂的还原淬灭.研究结果表明,多种不同取代(如给电子基和吸电子基)的芳基烯烃均可与CO_(2)发生羧基化反应,高效高选择性地构建了一系列官能团丰富的芳基乙酸类化合物(如萘普生等药物分子).该方法具有反应条件温和(1 atm,室温)、官能团耐受性好以及可用于合成药物衍生物等特点.此外,本文通过氘代实验等机理研究和密度泛函理论计算证明,胺甲基羧化中间体、苄基自由基和苄基碳负离子都是该反应的关键中间体,并提出了可能的反应机理:首先,二环己基甲基胺还原淬灭激发态光敏剂,产生α-胺基碳自由基,与芳基烯烃发生自由基加成反应,得到苄基自由基,进而被还原态光敏剂还原为碳负离子,对CO_(2)亲核进攻得到烯烃的胺基烷基-羧基化中间体;作为电子给体,该中间体可以淬灭另一分子的激发态光敏剂,并通过分子内去质子化过程,产生α-胺基碳自由基物种,进而经历自由基型β-C断裂,生成热力学更稳定的羧基化苄基自由基,从而实现了烯烃C=C键的还原裂解;最后,新产生的苄基自由基被进一步还原为碳负离子,经历质子化过程后得到目标产物.综上,本文以还原裂解的方式丰富了C=C键断键官能团化反应领域,在温和条件下实现了CO_(2)的高效高选择性转化,合成了高附加值的芳基乙酸类化合物,阐明了反应机制,为烯烃和CO_(2)的同时高值化利用提供了新思路,为后续相关反应的开发和应用提供参考.

A review of enantioselective dual transition metal/photoredox catalysis

Transition metal catalysis is one of the most important tools to construct carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds in modern organic synthesis. Visible-light photoredox catalysis has recently drawn considerable attention of the scientific community owing to its unique activation modes and significance for the green synthesis. The merger of photoredox catalysis with transition metal catalysts, termed metallaphotoredox catalysis, has become a popular strategy for expanding the synthetic utility of visiblelight photocatalysis. This strategy has led to the discovery of novel asymmetric transformations, which are unfeasible or not easily accessible by a single catalytic system. This contemporary area of organic chemistry holds promise for the development of economical and environmentally friendly methods for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds. In this review, the advances in the enantioselective metallaphotoredox catalysis(EMPC) are summarized.

Triphenylphosphine and sodium iodide: a new catalyst combination to rival precious metal complexes in visible light photoredox catalysis

Photoredox catalysis has changed the landscape of modern synthetic organic chemistry by prompting a dramatic increase in research activity into reactions that proceed through free radical intermediates.

Photoredox Catalysis Unlocks the Nickel-Catalyzed Cyanation of Aryl Halides under Benign Conditions

The transition-metal-catalyzed cyanations of aryl halides are among the most used methods for synthesizing aryl nitriles.Despite tremendous advances,cyanating an aryl halide in a facile and benign fashion has generally been unsuccessful.The challenge in this significant transformation is the strong affinity of cyanide for metals,which hampers oxidative addition(OD)and reductive elimination(RE)making organometallic catalysis elusive.Herein,we demonstrate for the first time that photoredox-nickel-catalyzed cyanations of aryl halides are readily enabled by visible light,in which Ni(Ⅱ)species are transiently oxidized to Ni(Ⅲ)species,thereby facilitating subsequent cyanide transfer and RE.Using this dual catalysis strategy,we cyanated aryl and alkenyl halides at room temperature in a highly benign manner(30 examples,53-93% yield)by avoiding the use of air-sensitive ligands,Ni(0)precursors,and hypertoxic cyanation reagents,while also limiting excess metal waste.Computational studies were also used to help understand the present transformation.

光和热驱动金催化邻炔基酚与芳基重氮盐的反应:两种机制相似性和差异性的理论研究

实验上发现,邻炔基酚与芳基重氮盐在热催化和光催化条件下反应可生成不同的产物,然而反应机理尚不清晰.本文采用MSCASPT2和密度泛函理论方法研究了热和光驱动反应的催化机理.结果表明,热催化和光催化反应的初始历程相同,都是在HCO3-协助下由Au(Ⅰ)催化剂和邻炔基酚反应得到乙烯基Au(Ⅰ)中间体.在此过程中,Au(l)催化剂与邻炔基酚反应克服14.8 kcal/mol的能垒生成结构扭曲的配合物,此时邻炔基酚的C≡C三键被活化.随后,乙烯基Au(Ⅰ)中间体和芳基重氮盐形成复合物,热催化和光催化反应开始分叉.在黑暗条件下,反应克服15.7 kcal/mol的能垒后生成最终的热催化产物,此时芳基重氮盐的末端N原子直接与乙烯基Au(Ⅰ)中间体的C原子成键.在光照条件下,复合物首先弛豫到激发单重态,经9.8×10^(9)s^(-1)的高效系间窜跃过程衰变到T_(1)态.在T_(1)态,克服7.8 kcal/mol的能垒完成脱氮反应,产生与乙烯基Au(Ⅰ)中间体的Au原子具有相互作用的芳基自由基,随后发生系间窜跃过程到达基态.在基态形成最终的光催化产物.本研究为理解Au(Ⅰ)催化剂与芳基重氮盐的热催化和光催化反应提供了重要的机理见解,发现了无辐射跃迁在光催化反应中的关键作用.

Recent advances in visible-light photoredox-catalyzed nitrogen radical cyclization

Visible-light photoredox catalysis is a powerful and attractive strategy for organic molecule activation and new reaction design owing to its environmental-friendly characteristics and unique catalytic mechanisms,and has found wide applications in organic synthesis.This catalytic strategy enables controllable generation of diverse nitrogen-centered radicals(NCRs)under mild conditions,providing access to construction of diverse nitrogencontaining compounds.In this review,we critically illustrate the recent advances in the field of visible-light photoredox-catalyzed cyclization of nitrogen-centered radicals,based on the different radical precursors and activation modes.Wherever possible,particular emphasis is also put on working models and synthetic applications.