Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reactions Involving Radicals

Asymmetric functionalization of alkyl radicals represents a robust yet underdeveloped method for efficient construction and decoration of carbon skeletons in chiral organic molecules. In this field, we have been inspired by the excellent redox, alkyl radical trapping, and Lewis acidic properties of copper to develop several catalytic modes for asymmetric reactions involving alkyl radicals. At the beginning, we discovered tandem radical hydrotrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes and enantioselective alkoxylation of remote C(sp3)-H bonds by copper/chiral phosphate relay catalysis. This success has stimulated us to develop an asymmetric three-component 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of 1,1-diarylalkenes using a similar strategy via radical intermediates. Meanwhile, we also discovered a copper/chiral secondary amine cooperative catalyst for asymmetric radical intramolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes using α-aldehyde methylene groups as C1 sources. The trapping of alkyl radical intermediates by CuII species during the reaction was essential for the chemoselectivity toward cyclopropanation. Encouraged by the efficient enantiocontrol with chiral phosphate and the effective trapping of alkyl radicals with CuII species, we then sought to develop copper/chiral phosphate as a single-electron-transfer catalyst for asymmetric reactions involving alkyl radicals. Subsequently, we successfully achieved a series of highly enantioselective 1,2-aminofluoroalkylation, -aminoarylation, -diamination, -aminosilylation, and -oxytrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes. The key for high enantioinduction was believed to be the effective trapping of alkyl radicals by CuII/chiral phosphate complexes. Besides, an achiral pyridine ligand was found to be indispensable for achieving high enantioselectivity, presumably via stabilization of CuIII species in the 1,2-alkoxytrifluoromethylation reaction. This discovery reminded us of tuning the redox properties and chemoreactivity of copper centers with an ancillary ligand. As a result, we subsequently identified cinchona alkaloid-derived sulfonamides as novel neutral-anionic hybrid ligands for simultaneous chemo- and enantiocontrol. We thus accomplished highly enantioselective 1,2-iminoxytrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes under the catalysis of copper/cinchona alkaloid-derived sulfonamide ligand, affording trifluoromethylated isoxazolines in high enantiomeric excess. Our copper-catalyzed asymmetric reactions with alkyl radicals provide expedient access to a diverse range of valuable chiral molecules with broad application potential in areas of organic synthesis, medicine, agrochemical, and material sciences.