Dynamically Generated Carbenium Species via Photoisomerization of Cyclic Alkenes: Mild Friedel–Crafts Alkylation

The torsional strain of <i>trans</i>-configured medium-sized (6-8) cycloalkenes imparts substantial potential energy efficiently toward ionic additions through generated reactive carbenium species. These reactions have been underexplored due to a historical necessity for harsh ultraviolet irradiation. We report here the Friedel-Crafts (FC) type reactivity of arylcycloalkenes (ACs) and π-nucleophiles for the first time with weak Brønsted acid and visible light energy transfer catalysis. Following optimizations using <i>p</i>-fluorophenyl cyclohexene as the AC and 2-methylfuran as the nucleophile, model conditions were obtained to probe the respective influence of the acid catalyst, aryl component of AC, nucleophile, and alicyclic component of AC on the desired FC reactivity. Each parameter was found to critically influence the course of the reaction. Ultimately, a mild, visible light-driven method for the preparation of a variety of 1,1-diarylcyclohexane and 4,4-diarylpiperidine derivatives that is mechanistically distinct from and complementary to other methods of preparation is outlined.