Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Cascade Multioxidation: A Route to α-Sulfinylphthalides
The integration of direct C(sp<sup>3</sup>)-H functionalization with tandem reactions offers a strategy for the synthesis of complex, high-value fine chemicals from basic chemical feedstocks. This paper presents an efficient synthetic pathway for the olefinic difunctionalization of <i>o</i>-methylstyrenes using thiophenols, followed by oxidative dehydrogenative lactonization catalyzed by LaBr<sub>3</sub> under visible light irradiation. This approach enables the facile synthesis of a wide range of α-sulfinylphthalides with moderate diastereoselectivity. Notably, the reaction does not require additional photosensitizers or strong oxidants; mild conditions suffice under an oxygen atmosphere. Mechanistic studies and control experiments have confirmed the essential role of LaBr<sub>3</sub> in this process.
Authors
- Feiming Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3963-4847)
- Hongxia Lian
- Dabao Tan
- Zhixiong Cai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6458-870X)
- Lina Cai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2598-8388)
- Shunyou Cai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8959-245X)
- Xiang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3439-2300)
- Lele Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6617-9726)
- Qi Yang
Institutions
- BGI Group (China) (CN)
- Peking University (CN)
- Key Laboratory of Guangdong Province (CN)
- Minnan Normal University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Organic Letters
- Published
- 2025-08-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.5c02462
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Radical Photochemical Reactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.87
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
- Minnan Normal University