{"title":"The construction of aromatic rings by photocatalytic radical-induced cyclization reactions","authors":"Xi-Ni Luo, Dong-Qing Yang, Hong-Lin Wu, Jia-Yao Feng, Sheng Du, Yu He, Rongnan Yi, Jun-Qi Zhang, Keqi Tang, Wenting Wei","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00667h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00667h","url":null,"abstract":"Photocatalytic radical-induced cyclization reactions offer an efficient paradigm for constructing aromatic rings due to their unique environmental friendliness, independence from electronic effects, and high functional group tolerance. However, the high reactivity of intermediates in radical reactions, particularly the challenges of controlling it proceeds in an orderly manner according to the expected pathway and the reaction terminates after the ring is formed, which leads to diminished precision in the construction of aromatic rings. Compared to traditional cyclization methods for synthesizing aromatic rings, photocatalysis enables direct cleavage of high-bond-energy chemical bonds under mild conditions, eliminating the need for high temperature, high pressure, or stoichiometric oxidants. Furthermore, photocatalytic systems can serve as a bridge to connect multiple reaction steps, thereby streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency. Recently, significant progress has been made in applying photocatalytic radical-induced cyclization for the construction of aromatic rings. However, to date, there has been no comprehensive summary of this area reported. In this review, we try to provide a comprehensive perspective on the construction of aromatic rings via photocatalytic radical-induced cyclization. The discussion is organized into five sections based on the type of aromatic ring formed: monoheteroatom-doped aromatic rings, diheteroatom-doped aromatic rings, triheteroatom-doped aromatic rings, all-carbon aromatic ring, and non-classical aromatic rings. This review with a particular focus on elucidating reaction mechanisms, the synergistic effect of catalysts and light sources, and the applications of this strategy in pharmaceutical synthesis and materials science.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144211686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Facile Synthesis of a Contorted Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivative","authors":"Xiaoxia Duan, Kai Lan, Yue Su, Chuyang Cheng","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00604j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00604j","url":null,"abstract":"A facile bottom-up synthesis of a contorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivative was reported. The structure features three expanded heptagonal rings, constructed by structural extension of a triscycloheptenylene core with integration of three anthraquinone units into the π-conjugated architecture. This strategy enables gram-scale synthesis with decent yield under mild conditions. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed a saddle-shaped geometry induced by the three heptagons. This work provides a generalizable strategy for designing highly curved PAHs with tunable optoelectronic functionalities.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144211683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ji-Hong Gu, Ni-Ping Li, Hao-Ting Lin, Ling-Na Dai, Min-Jing Cheng, Jian Hong, Yi-Yi Li, Jun-Shan Liu, Wen-Cai Ye, Lei Wang
{"title":"Oligomeric Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from the Flowers of Gelsemium elegans with Anti-inflammatory and Anti-fibrotic Activities","authors":"Ji-Hong Gu, Ni-Ping Li, Hao-Ting Lin, Ling-Na Dai, Min-Jing Cheng, Jian Hong, Yi-Yi Li, Jun-Shan Liu, Wen-Cai Ye, Lei Wang","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00551e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00551e","url":null,"abstract":"Gelsepolycines A–F (1–6), six oligomeric monoterpenoid indole alkaloids with new skeletons, together with their biosynthetic precursors (7–8), were isolated from the flowers of Gelsemium elegans. Compounds 1 and 4–6 represented the first examples of trimeric Gelsemium alkaloids that featuring complex sterically compact frameworks with 17-19 chiral centers. Furthermore, these compounds were constructed through unprecedented C14–C19 and C14–N4 linkages. Interestingly, all these oligomeric alkaloids (1–6) could be derived from the same monomer precursor 7 in the proposed biogenetic pathway. The anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities of these isolates were evaluated, and compound 3 demonstrated potent effects in vitro and in vivo. The biomimetic synthesis of 3 was achieved according to the proposed biogenetic pathway.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144201545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liangwei Zhu, Lin Zhang, Jian Zhang, Peigen Wang, Ruopeng Bai, Zhonglin Tao
{"title":"Dinickel-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective α-Alkylation of Cyclic Ketones with Unactivated Alkyl Halides","authors":"Liangwei Zhu, Lin Zhang, Jian Zhang, Peigen Wang, Ruopeng Bai, Zhonglin Tao","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00448a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00448a","url":null,"abstract":"The asymmetric α-alkylation of simple ketones with unactivated alkyl halides remains a longstanding challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we report a dinickel-catalyzed asymmetric α-alkylation of cyclic ketones using unactivated alkyl halides as alkylating agents. This methodology accommodates a broad range of substrates, including benzo-fused cyclic ketones, α-aryl and α-alkyl cyclic ketones, and diverse alkyl halides, enabling the construction of chiral ketones with α-quaternary centers in high regio- and enantioselectivity. Mechanistic studies, combining experimental and computational approaches, reveal that this transformation proceeds via a redox-neutral SN2 pathway catalyzed by nickel(I) species intead of commonly seen Ni(II) salt. The unique bimetallic ligand framework plays a dual role: (1) stabilizing adjacent dinickel(I) centers through halogen-bridging interactions, thereby enabling the formation of a highly nucleophilic nickel(I) enolate, and (2) providing a chiral pocket to control the stereochemistry of the reaction.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"169 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144201547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Remote Activating Strategy Enabled (RASE) π-Bond Migratory Dealkylative C-N coupling Utilising N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as A Bifunctional Domino Reagent","authors":"Jiahao Gu, Zhenyang Wan, Yuhong Lu, Xiangmin Tian, Ziyue Zeng, Dailin Zhuang, Ziyuan Li","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00480b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00480b","url":null,"abstract":"Remote activating strategy enabled (RASE) π-bond migratory dealkylative C(sp3)-N and C(sp2)-N coupling with 2-alkoxylthiazole through C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H cleavage, giving N-benzyl or N-phenyl thiazol-2(3H)-one, respectively, are achieved under mild conditions. N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) serves as a crucial bifunctional domino reagent which not only generates nitrogen-centred radical that initiates N-C or N-N radical relay, offering electrophile coupling partner, but also provides the key carbocation scavenger, N-hydrobenzenesulfonimide (NHSI), triggering π-bond migratory dealkylation of 2-alkoxylthiazole which offers nucleophilic thiazol-2(3H)-one coupling partner. Plausible mechanism has been proposed based on the results of mechanistic studies.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144201544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chemodivergent Temperature Controlled Switchable Iron Catalysed Annulation of o-vinylaniline with Isatin Derivatives","authors":"Sakshi Singh, Samir Kumar Mondal, Shantanu Pal","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00626k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00626k","url":null,"abstract":"Chemo-divergent approach enables to achieve regioselective and site-divergent transformations of multiple products by changing the parameter from identical, readily accessible starting materials are ideal but challenging due to the complexity of precisely controlling the chemo-diversity. Herein, we reported a novel FeCl₃-catalyzed one-pot strategy enabling the selective synthesis of 5-methyl-7-phenyldibenzo[b,h][1,6] naphthyridin-6(5H)-one or 3-phenyl-1H-indole from o-vinylaniline and N-substituted isatin by switching the temperature. Notably, the reaction exhibits temperature-controlled chemo-divergence, selectively yielding either intramolecular or intermolecular products. This approach demonstrates wide substrate, affording structurally diverse scaffolds under mild conditions. Furthermore, it provides an efficient route for synthesis of symmetrical urea derivatives and offers a potential pathway for the direct synthesis of tryptanthrin and related bioactive molecules.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"98 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144193343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"NCI-driven regioselectivity and enantioreversal in chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed arylamine functionalization","authors":"Zi-Hao Li, Abing Duan, Shu-Yu Zhang","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00673b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00673b","url":null,"abstract":"Non-covalent interactions (NCIs) have emerged as pivotal elements in asymmetric catalysis, enabling precise control over reactivity and selectivity in complex transformations. Despite their central role in designing catalytic systems, mechanistic understanding remains limited for reactions where NCIs concurrently govern regio- and enantioselectivity. The inherent complexity of CPA-catalyzed asymmetric reactions, characterized by diverse NCIs—particularly with arylamine substrates bearing multiple NCI-active motifs—presents formidable challenges for theoretical analysis and data-driven mechanistic modeling. This challenge becomes particularly pronounced when examining the enantioreversal phenomenon, where minute NCI perturbations orchestrate divergent catalytic pathways. Crucially, substrate-controlled enantioreversal operating independently of CPA groups modifications remain conspicuously undercharacterized in multi-selective reactions, particularly at the mechanistic level. In this study, we investigate three representative multi-site CPA-catalyzed asymmetric functionalizations of arylamines, utilizing detailed theoretical calculations to explore the influence of steric effects and NCIs, as well as the interplay between regioselectivity and enantioreversal. Our findings clarify the factors governing regioselectivity and enantioreversal, leading to a detailed elucidation of the mechanistic roles of key variables in existing frameworks. This work provides a robust theoretical foundation for optimizing CPA-catalyzed asymmetric reactions involving arylamines, while paving the way for future machine learning-driven advancements in this domain.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"163 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144193316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Suman Majee, Km. Anjali, Shailly Agarwal, Vishnu Poonia, Alok Kumar Singh, Biswajit Guchhait, Devalina Ray
{"title":"NaH-Promoted One-Pot Oxidation/Aromatization and C-3H Chalcogenation of Indoline: Atmospheric Control-Based Selective Intermediates","authors":"Suman Majee, Km. Anjali, Shailly Agarwal, Vishnu Poonia, Alok Kumar Singh, Biswajit Guchhait, Devalina Ray","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00576k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00576k","url":null,"abstract":"A sub-stoichiometric sodium hydride promoted strategy with diselenides and disulphides, has been devised for the one-pot cascade oxidation/arometization and regioselective C-3 selenium/sulfenylation of indolines under transition metal-free conditions. The newly introduced protocol facilitates the synthesis of C-3 chalcogenated indoles with exceptional flexibility and efficiency. The chalcogenation reaction was successfully performed under both aerobic and inert conditions leading to the formation of C-3 chalcogenated indoles via two different intermediates. The mechanistic insights were derived from various controlled experiments and trapping of reaction intermediates for both the conditions, structurally varifying them by spectral analysis. The preponderance of the radical route was validated by EPR spectroscopy and radical quenching experiments. A wide variety of 3-arylthioindoles and 3-arylselenylindoles containing electron-releasing and withdrawing substituents were obtained in high to excellent yields with this modest and environmentally benign protocol. Additionally, post-transformation of sulfenylated derivatives has further led to the generation of diarylsulfoxide core of pharmaceutical interest. The reaction is applicable to gram scale synthesis without significant loss in product yield, indicating its application for large-scale synthesis. Interestingly, the biological evaluation of the 5-bromo-3-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)selanyl)-1H-indole and 3-((4-chlorophenyl)thio)-1H-indole revealed significant activity against rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM).","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dou Zhang, Peng Shen, Yao Zhang, Qiuyi Zheng, Jiahui Zhang, Chunyu Han, Silin Xu, Jinhua Yang
{"title":"TFPN-Mediated Acyl Fluoride Platform: Efficient Synthesis of Esters, Thioesters, and Macrolactones from Carboxylic Acids with Diverse Nucleophiles","authors":"Dou Zhang, Peng Shen, Yao Zhang, Qiuyi Zheng, Jiahui Zhang, Chunyu Han, Silin Xu, Jinhua Yang","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00651a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00651a","url":null,"abstract":"A TFPN (3,4,5,6-tetrafluorophthalonitrile)-mediated esterification strategy has been developed for the efficient synthesis of esters, thioesters, and macrolactones within remarkably short reaction times. Key to this approach is the utilization of in situ-generated acyl fluo-rides as transient intermediates, which circumvent stability limitations associated with conventional activated species. This method demonstrates exceptional functional group tolerance across structurally diverse substrates, including chiral molecules with complete stereochemical preservation. Notably, medium-sized macrolactones are constructed with efficiency through this protocol. Operationally simple and scalable, this platform exhibits practical versatility in late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules, bioconjugation, and polymer chemistry, underscoring its broad synthetic utility.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ying Gan, Jin Zhang, Karunanidhi Murali, Yongquan Ning, Yong Wu, Jacek Mlynarski, Zhaohong Liu
{"title":"Acrolein Triftosylhydrazone: A Versatile Vinylcarbene Reagent","authors":"Ying Gan, Jin Zhang, Karunanidhi Murali, Yongquan Ning, Yong Wu, Jacek Mlynarski, Zhaohong Liu","doi":"10.1039/d5qo00663e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5qo00663e","url":null,"abstract":"We report the development of acrolein triftosylhydrazone (AHZ-Tfs), an operationally safe and user-friendly reagent serving as an efficient in situ source of highly unstable vinyldiazomethane. This reagent enables catalytic reactions of unsubstituted vinylcarbene, such as Doyle–Kirmse reactions, cyclopropanation, and Si–H insertion, producing access to allyl-containing compounds with outcomes superior to those obtained using pre-prepared vinyldiazomethane.","PeriodicalId":97,"journal":{"name":"Organic Chemistry Frontiers","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144183791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}