Oxidative PCET‐Triggered Benzylic C─H Iminolactonization via 1,5‐HAT/Cyclization Enabled by Cage‐Confined Photocatalysis

Y Yunqiang Li (Lehn Institute of Functional Materials (LIFM) School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou P. R. China) Y Yongxian Huang (GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, LIFM, IGCME, School of Chemistry) S Sisi Huang F Fang Zhang (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Yingqi Chen (Lehn Institute of Functional Materials (LIFM) School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou P. R. China) L Linna Guo (Instrumental Analysis & Research Center Sun Yat‐Sen University (South Campus) Guangzhou P. R. China) C Cheng‐Yong Su (GBRCE For Functional Molecular Engineering Lehn Institute of Functional Materials IGCME School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou P. R. China) Z Zhiwei Jiao (GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, LIFM, IGCME, School of Chemistry)

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present a visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic platform based on a photosensitive metal–organic cage (PMOC), which enables selective recognition and activation of amidyl N─H bonds while suppressing competing homocoupling pathways. This system promotes a controlled intramolecular 1,5‐HAT/cyclization cascade via an oxidative proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) process, using commercially available BPO as oxidant and the in situ generated benzoate anion as the base. Mechanistic studies reveal that the cage architecture serves a dual role—facilitating oxidative PCET and enforcing product selectivity through spatial confinement—which steers the reaction through a unimolecular pathway, effectively inhibiting N─N homodimerization typical of bulk‐phase systems. This work establishes cage‐confined photocatalysis as a powerful strategy for directing nitrogen‐centered radical (NCR) reactivity toward the synthesis of value‐added heterocyclic compounds.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 31
Published July 27, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

Y

Yunqiang Li

Lehn Institute of Functional Materials (LIFM) School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou P. R. China

Y

Yongxian Huang

GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, LIFM, IGCME, School of Chemistry

S

Sisi Huang

F

Fang Zhang

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yingqi Chen

Lehn Institute of Functional Materials (LIFM) School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou P. R. China

L

Linna Guo

Instrumental Analysis & Research Center Sun Yat‐Sen University (South Campus) Guangzhou P. R. China

C

Cheng‐Yong Su

GBRCE For Functional Molecular Engineering Lehn Institute of Functional Materials IGCME School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou P. R. China

Z

Zhiwei Jiao

GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, LIFM, IGCME, School of Chemistry