Sulfonylative and azidosulfonylative cyclizations by visible-light-photosensitization of sulfonyl azides in THF

Zhu, Shaoqun; Pathigoolla, Atchutarao; Lowe, Grace; Walsh, Darren A.; Cooper, Mick; Lewis, William; Lam, Hon Wai

Abstract

The generation of sulfonyl radicals from sulfonyl azides using visible light and a photoactive iridium complex in THF is described. This process was used to promote sulfonylative and azidosulfonylative cyclizations of enynes to give several classes of highly functionalized heterocycles. The use of THF as the solvent is critical for successful reactions. The proposed mechanism of radical initiation involves the photosensitized formation of a triplet sulfonyl nitrene, which abstracts a hydrogen atom from THF to give a tetrahydrofuran-2-yl radical, which then reacts with the sulfonyl azide to generate the sulfonyl radical.

Citation

Zhu, S., Pathigoolla, A., Lowe, G., Walsh, D. A., Cooper, M., Lewis, W., & Lam, H. W. (2017). Sulfonylative and azidosulfonylative cyclizations by visible-light-photosensitization of sulfonyl azides in THF. Chemistry - A European Journal, 23(69), https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201704380

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 21, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Nov 16, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 11, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 5, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 16, 2017
• Journal: Chemistry - A European Journal
• Print ISSN: 0947-6539
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-3765
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 69
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201704380
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/899695
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/chem.201704380/abstract
• Contract Date: Oct 5, 2017