Visible light photocatalytic reductive hydroalkylation and deuterium alkylation to access α-silylated bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes

As pharmacophoric elements, both bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) and silyl substituents have found widespread applications in drug discovery. However, systematic synthetic methods for α-silylated BCPs remain limited. Herein, we report a photocatalytic hydro/deutero-alkylation of propellane that enables the synthesis of α-silylated BCPs, showcasing broad substituent compatibility.