Baokun Qiao

Bio: Baokun Qiao is an academic researcher from Henan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Enantioselective synthesis & Organocatalysis. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 30 publications receiving 915 citations. Previous affiliations of Baokun Qiao include Rutgers University.

Conjugate Addition-Enantioselective Protonation of N-Aryl Glycines to α-Branched 2-Vinylazaarenes via Cooperative Photoredox and Asymmetric Catalysis.

Abstract: An enantioselective protonation strategy has been successfully applied to the synthesis of chiral α-tertiary azaarenes. With a dual catalytic system involving a chiral phosphoric acid and a dicyanopyrazine-derived chromophore (DPZ) photosensitizer that is mediated by visible light, a variety of α-branched 2-vinylpyridines and 2-vinylquinolines with N-aryl glycines underwent a redox-neutral, radical conjugate addition–protonation process and provided valuable chiral 3-(2-pyridine/quinoline)-3-substituted amines in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). An application of this methodology to a two-step synthesis of the enantiomerically pure medicinal compound pheniramine (Avil) is also presented.

Catalytic Enantioselective Addition of Prochiral Radicals to Vinylpyridines.

Abstract: Pyridine, one of the most important azaarenes, is ubiquitous in functional molecules. The electronic properties of pyridine have been exploited to trigger asymmetric transformations of prochiral species as a direct approach for accessing chiral pyridine derivatives. However, the full potential of this synthetic strategy for the construction of enantioenriched γ-functionalized pyridines remains untapped. Here, we describe the first enantioselective addition of prochiral radicals to vinylpyridines under cooperative photoredox and asymmetric catalysis mediated by visible light. The enantioselective reductive couplings of vinylpyridines with aldehydes, ketones, and imines were achieved by employing a chiral Bronsted acid to activate the reaction partners and provide stereocontrol via H-bonding interactions. Valuable chiral γ-secondary/tertiary hydroxyl- and amino-substituted pyridines were obtained in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities.

Formal enantioconvergent substitution of alkyl halides via catalytic asymmetric photoredox radical coupling.

Abstract: Classic nucleophilic substitution reactions (SN1 and SN2) are not generally amenable to the enantioselective variants that use simple and racemic alkyl halide electrophiles. The merging of transition metal catalysis and radical chemistry with organometallic nucleophiles is a versatile method for addressing this limitation. Here, we report that visible light-driven catalytic asymmetric photoredox radical coupling can act as a complementary and generic strategy for the enantioconvergent formal substitution of alkyl haldies with readily available and bench-stable organic molecules. Single-electron reductive debrominations of racemic α-bromoketones generate achiral alkyl radicals that can participate in asymmetric Csp3–Csp3 bonds forming cross-coupling reactions with α-amino radicals derived from N-aryl amino acids. A wide range of valuable enantiomerically pure β2- and β2,2-amino ketones were obtained in satisfactory yields with good-to-excellent enantioselectivities by using chiral phosphoric acid catalysts to control the stereochemistry and chemoselectivity. Fluoro-hetero-quaternary and full-carbon quaternary stereocenters that are challenging to prepare were successfully constructed. Enantioselective substitution reactions of racemic alkyl halides are inherently limited by the specificity of their stereochemical course (SN1 or SN2). Here, the authors report a radical coupling strategy for the enantioselective aminoalkylation of α-bromoketones for modular, highly enantioselective Csp3−Csp3 bond formation.

All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters α to Azaarenes via Radical-Based Asymmetric Olefin Difunctionalization.

Abstract: A radical-based asymmetric olefin difunctionalization strategy for rapidly forging all-carbon quaternary stereocenters α to diverse azaarenes is reported. Under cooperative photoredox and chiral Bronsted acid catalysis, cyclopropylamines with α-branched 2-vinylazaarenes can undergo a sequential two-step radical process, furnishing various valuable chiral azaarene-substituted cyclopentanes. The use of the rigid and confined C2-symmetric imidodiphosphoric acid catalysts achieves high enantio- and diastereo-selectivities for these asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloadditions.

Bifunctional Amine‐Squaramides: Powerful Hydrogen‐Bonding Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Domino/Cascade Reactions

Abstract: Organocatalytic domino/cascade reactions provide a convenient method for the construction of complex molecular structures bearing multiple stereocenters in a highly stereoselective fashion. Among various organocatalysts, bifunctional squaramides have emerged as powerful hydrogen-bonding catalysts for promoting a wide array of useful asymmetric organocascade sequences. Higher activity and ease of preparation make these catalysts excellent alternatives for thiourea-based organocatalysts. This review highlights the advances in the rapidly growing field of amine-squaramide-catalyzed domino/cascade reactions and their mode of action.

Recent Advances in Minisci-Type Reactions.

Abstract: Reactions that involve the addition of carbon-centered radicals to basic heteroarenes, followed by formal hydrogen atom loss, have become widely known as Minisci-type reactions. First developed into a useful synthetic tool in the late 1960s by Minisci, this reaction type has been in constant use over the last half century by chemists seeking to functionalize heterocycles in a rapid and direct manner, avoiding the need for de novo heterocycle synthesis. Whilst the originally developed protocols for radical generation remain in active use today, they have been joined in recent years by a new array of radical generation strategies that allow use of a wider variety of radical precursors that often operate under milder and more benign conditions. The recent surge of interest in new transformations based on free radical reactivity has meant that numerous choices are now available to a synthetic chemist looking to utilize a Minisci-type reaction. Radical-generation methods based on photoredox catalysis and electrochemistry have joined approaches which utilize thermal cleavage or the in situ generation of reactive radical precursors. This review will cover the remarkably large body of literature that has appeared on this topic over the last decade in an attempt to provide guidance to the synthetic chemist, as well as a perspective on both the challenges that have been overcome and those that still remain. As well as the logical classification of advances based on the nature of the radical precursor, with which most advances have been concerned, recent advances in control of various selectivity aspects associated with Minisci-type reactions will also be discussed.

The Persistent Radical Effect in Organic Synthesis

Abstract: Radical-radical couplings are mostly nearly diffusion-controlled processes. Therefore, the selective cross-coupling of two different radicals is challenging and not a synthetically valuable transformation. However, if the radicals have different lifetimes and if they are generated at equal rates, cross-coupling will become the dominant process. This high cross-selectivity is based on a kinetic phenomenon called the persistent radical effect (PRE). In this Review, an explanation of the PRE supported by simulations of simple model systems is provided. Radical stabilities are discussed within the context of their lifetimes, and various examples of PRE-mediated radical-radical couplings in synthesis are summarized. It is shown that the PRE is not restricted to the coupling of a persistent with a transient radical. If one coupling partner is longer-lived than the other transient radical, the PRE operates and high cross-selectivity is achieved. This important point expands the scope of PRE-mediated radical chemistry. The Review is divided into two parts, namely 1) the coupling of persistent or longer-lived organic radicals and 2) "radical-metal crossover reactions"; here, metal-centered radical species and more generally longer-lived transition-metal complexes that are able to react with radicals are discussed-a field that has flourished recently.

Visible light-driven organic photochemical synthesis in China

Abstract: In recent years, visible light-driven organic photochemical synthesis has attracted wide research interest from academic and industrial communities due to its features of green and sustainable chemistry. In this flourishing area, Chinese chemists have devoted great efforts to different aspects of synthetic chemistry. This review will summarize their representative work according to the following categories: C–H functionalization, synthesis of aromatic aza-heterocycles, asymmetric organic photochemical synthesis, transformations of small molecules and biomolecule-compatible reactions.