Site-Selective α─C─H Functionalization of Saturated Heterocycles via Copper-Photoredox Catalysis

Abstract

Site-selective C_α─H functionalization of saturated heterocycles with chemically similar C─H bonds is realized for the first time by copper-photoredox catalysis. This undirected strategy exploits copper photocatalyst's ability to mediate both substrate activation and photoinduced energy transfer, offering excellent site-selectivity complementary to previous HAT events. Such a general and new protocol utilizes air as the HAT precursor and oxidant.