Photocatalytic Generation of Nitrenes for Rapid Diaziridination

Org Lett. 2017 Nov 3;19(21):5964-5967. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.7b02844.

Abstract

A blue LED, an organic photocatalyst (rose bengal), and the Lewis acid like oxidant PhI(OAc)2 were utilized to generate nitrene intermediates through reactions of 1,2-diols and aliphatic amines under mild reaction conditions. A versatile and rapid diaziridination strategy was established to construct functionalized 1,2-disubstituted diaziridines, diaziridines with chiral substituents, and 1,2,3-trisubstituted analogues with excellent reaction rates, yields, and stereoselectivities. Control and labeling experiments to elucidate the mechanism of this elegant metal-free photocatalyzed cyclization reaction were performed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't