Although carbon dioxide (CO2) is highly abundant, its low reactivity has limited its use in chemical synthesis. In particular, methods for carbon-carbon bond formation generally rely on two-electron mechanisms for CO2 activation and require highly activated reaction partners. Alternatively, radical pathways accessed via photoredox catalysis could provide new reactivity under milder conditions. Here we demonstrate the direct coupling of CO2 and amines via the single-electron reduction of CO2 for the photoredox-catalysed continuous flow synthesis of α-amino acids. By leveraging the advantages of utilizing gases and photochemistry in flow, a commercially available organic photoredox catalyst effects the selective α-carboxylation of amines that bear various functional groups and heterocycles. The preliminary mechanistic studies support CO2 activation and carbon-carbon bond formation via single-electron pathways, and we expect that this strategy will inspire new perspectives on using this feedstock chemical in organic synthesis.

Photoredox activation of carbon dioxide for amino acid synthesis in continuous flow

Carboxylic acids, including amino acids (AAs), have been widely used as reagents for decarboxylative couplings. In contrast to previous decarboxylative couplings that release CO2 as a waste byproduct, herein we report a novel strategy with simultaneous utilization of both the alkyl and carboxyl components from carboxylic acids. Under this unique strategy, carboxylic acids act as bifunctional reagents in the redox-neutral carbocarboxylation of alkenes. Diverse, inexpensive, and readily available α-AAs take part in such difunctionalizations of activated alkenes via visible-light photoredox catalysis, affording a variety of valuable but otherwise difficult to access γ-aminobutyric acid derivatives (GABAs). Additionally, a series of dipeptides and tripeptides also participate in this photocatalytic carbocarboxylation. Although several challenges exist in this system due to the low concentration and quantitative amount of CO2, as well as unproductive side reactions such as hydrodecarboxylation of the carboxylic acids and hydroalkylation of the alkenes, excellent regioselectivity and moderate to high chemoselectivity are achieved. This process features low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, high step and atom economy, and good functional group tolerance, and it is readily scalable. The resulting products are subject to efficient derivations, and the overall process is amenable to applications in the late-stage modification of complex compounds. Mechanistic studies indicate that a carbanion is generated catalytically and it acts as the key intermediate to react with CO2, which is also generated catalytically in situ and thus remains in low concentration. The overall transformation represents an efficient and sustainable system for organic synthesis, pharmaceutics, and biochemistry.

α-Amino Acids and Peptides as Bifunctional Reagents: Carbocarboxylation of Activated Alkenes via Recycling CO2.

Synthesis of Unnatural α-Amino Acids via Photoinduced Decatungstate-Catalyzed Giese Reactions of Aldehydes

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids. The developed protocol allows the use of ubiquitous carboxylic acids as radical precursors without prior derivatization. The protocol utilizes near-stoichiometric amounts of the imine and the acid radical precursor in combination with a catalytic amount of an organic acridinium-based photocatalyst. Alternative mechanisms for the developed transformation are discussed and corroborated by experimental and computational studies.

/pdf/stereoselective-synthesis-of-unnatural-a-amino-acid-28rvv7396b.pdf

Stereoselective synthesis of unnatural α-amino acid derivatives through photoredox catalysis

Synthesis of β-Silyl α-Amino Acids via Visible-Light-Mediated Hydrosilylation.

Amino acids (AAs) are key structural motifs with widespread applications in organic synthesis, biochemistry, and material sciences. Recently, with the development of milder and more versatile radical-based procedures, the use of strategies relying on radical chemistry for the synthesis and modification of AAs has gained increased attention, as they allow rapid access to libraries of novel unnatural AAs containing a wide range of structural motifs. In this Minireview, we provide a broad overview of the advancements made in this field during the last decade, focusing on methods for the de novo synthesis of α-, β-, and γ-AAs, as well as for the selective derivatisation of canonical and non-canonical α-AAs.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/anie.202010157

Radical-Based Synthesis and Modification of Amino Acids

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ange.202010157

Radikal‐basierte Synthese und Modifikation von Aminosäuren

Herein we present a highly efficient, light-mediated, deoxygenative protocol to access γ-oxo-α-amino acid derivatives. This radical methodology employs photoredox catalysis, in combination with triphenylphosphine, to generate acyl radicals from readily available (hetero)aromatic and vinylic carboxylic acids. This approach allows for the straightforward synthesis of γ-oxo-α-amino acids bearing a wide range of functional groups (e.g., Cl, CN, furan, thiophene, Bpin) in synthetically useful yields (∼60% average yield). To further highlight the utility of the methodology, several deprotection and derivatization reactions were carried out.

/pdf/synthesis-of-g-oxo-a-amino-acids-via-radical-acylation-with-3jo26d3lt9.pdf

Synthesis of γ-Oxo-α-amino Acids via Radical Acylation with Carboxylic Acids.

Radical Deoxyfunctionalisation Strategies

Herein we present a highly efficient, light-mediated, deoxygenative protocol to access g-oxo-a-amino acid derivatives.This radical methodology employs photoredox catalysis, in combination with triphenylphosphine, to generate acyl radicals from readily available (hetero)aromatic and vinylic carboxylic acids. This approach allows for the straightforward synthesis of g-oxo-aamino acids bearing a wide range of functional groups (e.g. Cl, CN, furan, thiophene, Bpin) in synthetically useful yields (~ 60% average yield). To further highlight the utility of the methodology, several deprotection and derivatization reactions were carried out.

/pdf/synthesis-of-g-oxo-a-amino-acids-via-radical-acylation-with-4jrnn9zxp9.pdf

Khadijah Anwar

Papers

Radical-Based Synthesis and Modification of Amino Acids

Radikal‐basierte Synthese und Modifikation von Aminosäuren

Synthesis of γ-Oxo-α-amino Acids via Radical Acylation with Carboxylic Acids.

Radical Deoxyfunctionalisation Strategies

Synthesis of γ-Oxo-α-amino Acids via Radical Acylation with Carboxylic Acids