Issue 89, 2023

Iron-catalyzed β-hydroxymethylative carbonylation of styrene under photo-irradiation

Abstract

This study describes an iron-catalyzed divergent oxidation of styrene into β-hydroxylmethylketone and ketone under photo-irradiation. This divergence is ascribed to the use of styrene with various substituents. More importantly, methanol is oxidized into formaldehyde in the reaction and serves as a C1 synthon. Mechanism investigations show that the reaction is initiated by oxidative SET to transfer styrene into the cation radical. The reaction pathway undergoes HAT and β-hydride elimination as well as a concerted cyclization. Particularly, several drug-like molecules, such as melperone analogue, lenperone analogue, and haloperidol analogue, are synthesized. In addition, this method is also applicable to the synthesis of natural product (R)-atomoxetine.

Graphical abstract: Iron-catalyzed β-hydroxymethylative carbonylation of styrene under photo-irradiation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
14 Aug 2023
Accepted
08 Oct 2023
First published
09 Oct 2023

Chem. Commun., 2023,59, 13309-13312

Iron-catalyzed β-hydroxymethylative carbonylation of styrene under photo-irradiation

M. Guan, M. Hou, S. Tang, G. Cheng, X. Zhu, Y. Zhao, X. Tang, H. Zhou and G. Qiu, Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 13309 DOI: 10.1039/D3CC03919F

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