The use of photochemical transformations is a powerful strategy that allows for the formation of a high degree of molecular complexity from relatively simple building blocks in a single step. A central feature of all light-promoted transformations is the involvement of electronically excited states, generated upon absorption of photons. This produces transient reactive intermediates and significantly alters the reactivity of a chemical compound. The input of energy provided by light thus offers a means to produce strained and unique target compounds that cannot be assembled using thermal protocols. This review aims at highlighting photochemical transformations as a tool for rapidly accessing structurally and stereochemically diverse scaffolds. Synthetic designs based on photochemical transformations have the potential to afford complex polycyclic carbon skeletons with impressive efficiency, which are of high value in total synthesis.

Photochemical Approaches to Complex Chemotypes: Applications in Natural Product Synthesis

Cycloadditions are among the most efficient chemical processes, combining atom economy, stereospecificity, and the ability to generate molecular complexity in a single step. Aromatic rings would in principle be ideal reaction partners, as they contain, at least from the topological point of view, both olefinic and diene subunits; however, the stability of the conjugated aromatic system would be broken by cycloaddition reactions, which are therefore rarely applied, because kinetics and thermodynamics hinder the process. From that aspect, photochemical activation opens interesting perspectives, as one can selectively provide excess energy to one of the reactants but not to the product, thus preventing thermal back reaction. Indeed, aromatic rings show a rich photochemistry, ranging from isomerizations, substitutions, and additions to cycloadditions. In this review, we will focus on cycloadditions, covering literature from early observations up to the present.

Arene–Alkene Cycloaddition

Organic compounds that show Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) have become wildly popular as next-generation emitters in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Since 2016, a subset of these have found increasing use as photocatalysts. This review comprehensively highlights their potential by documenting the diversity of the reactions where an organic TADF photocatalyst can be used in lieu of a noble metal complex photocatalyst. Beyond the small number of TADF photocatalysts that have been used to date, the analysis conducted within this review reveals the wider potential of organic donor–acceptor TADF compounds as photocatalysts. A discussion of the benefits of compounds showing TADF for photocatalysis is presented, which paints a picture of a very promising future for organic photocatalyst development.

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Organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) compounds used in photocatalysis

An iron-catalyzed intramolecular alkyne−aldehyde metathesis strategy of the alkynyl ether of salicylaldehyde derivatives has been developed which works under mild reaction conditions to produce the functionalized 2H-chromene derivatives. This protocol is compatible toward a wide range of functional groups, such as methoxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, and phenyl groups. This method provides an atom-economical and environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of a series of substituted 2H-chromenes.

Iron-Catalyzed Synthesis of Functionalized 2H-Chromenes via Intramolecular Alkyne−Carbonyl Metathesis

Electronic excitation significantly changes the reactivity of chemical compounds. Compared to ground state reactions, photochemical reactions considerably enlarge the application spectrum of a particular functional group in organic synthesis. Multistep syntheses may be simplified and perspectives for target oriented synthesis (TOS) and diversity oriented synthesis (DOS) are developed. New compound families become available or may be obtained more easily. In contrast to common chemical reagents, photons don't generate side products resulting from the transformation of a chemical reagent. Therefore, they are considered as a traceless reagent. Consequently, photochemical reactions play a central role in the methodology of sustainable chemistry. This aspect has been recognized since the beginning of the 20th century. As with many other photochemical transformations, photochemical reactions of aromatic, benzene-like compounds illustrate well the advantages in this context. Photochemical cycloadditions of aromatic compounds have been investigated for a long time. Currently, they are applied in various fields of organic synthesis. They are also studied in supramolecular structures. The phenomena of reactivity and stereoselectivity are investigated. During recent years, photochemical electron transfer mediated reactions are particularly focused. Such transformations have likewise been performed with aromatic compounds. Reactivity and selectivity as well as application to organic synthesis are studied.

Photochemical reactions of aromatic compounds and the concept of the photon as a traceless reagent

In this work, we report on a new intramolecular para cycloaddition of arenes with allenes, yielding attractive rigid scaffolds bearing several reactive functionalities to build in further diversity. Bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene-type products and benzoxepine acetals are formed in this reaction, in ratios and yields depending on the substitution pattern on the aromatic ring, the nature of the chromophore, and the tether. This unprecedented reaction has remarkable features that distinguish it from many other photochemical transformations: it is particularly robust with respect to substituents, it can be scaled up without a notable loss of efficiency, and it can lead to structures with a high degree of complexity in low to good yields. All photochemical precursors could be synthesized readily in three steps. We confirmed the compatibility of the nitrogen atom in the photocycloaddition step, which gives access to a bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene scaffold with two points that allow further diversification. This reaction wa...

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Photocycloaddition of arenes and allenes.

Photochemistry of Allenyl Salicylaldehydes

A novel intramolecular para cycloaddition of arenes with allenes yielding bicyclooctadiene-type products and benzoxepine acetals is presented.

Photocycloaddition of Arenes and Allenes.

The intramolecular photocycloaddition of aryl aldehydes containing allene side chains is a versatile reaction as it provides a rapid and efficient access to original complex structures such as 1,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxy-5-alkylidene-2-benzoxepines 2 and substituted 2-oxa-tricyclo[5.2.2.0] (1,5)undeca-4,8,10-triene-9-carbaldehydes 3. Novel polycyclic structures are characterized, and optimized strategies for the synthesis of the substrates 1 are described.

Frederic Birbaum

Papers

Photocycloaddition of arenes and allenes.

Photochemistry of Allenyl Salicylaldehydes

Photocycloaddition of Arenes and Allenes.

Photochemistry of Allenyl Salicylaldehydes.