Remote Spin‐Center Shift Enables Activation of Distal Benzylic C─O and C─N Bonds

L Li‐Wen Hui (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China) Y Yee Lin Phang (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China) C Chen‐Yang Ye (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China) J Jin‐Yu Lai (Institute of Advanced Technology University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China) F Feng‐Lian Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China) Y Yao Fu (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry) Y Yi‐Feng Wang (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China)

Abstract

Abstract A spin‐center shift (SCS) is a radical process that commonly involves a 1,2‐radical shift along with the elimination of an adjacent leaving group by a two‐electron ionic movement. The conventional SCS process is largely limited to 1,2‐radical translocation, while a remote SCS event involving 1, n ‐radical translocation over a greater distance to enable distal bond functionalization remains largely underexplored. Herein, we report the boryl radical‐promoted distal deoxygenation and deamination of free benzylic alcohols and simple benzylic amines, respectively, through a remote SCS event. The reaction was initiated by the addition of a 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)‐boryl radical to the carbonyl oxygen atom of a benzoate or benzamide. Then, radical translocation took place across the aromatic ring to promote benzylic C─O or C─N bond cleavage. The resulting radical intermediate subsequently coupled with various alkenes to afford a wide range of alkylated products. The proposed mechanistic pathway was supported by experimental investigations.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 24
Published June 10, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

L

Li‐Wen Hui

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China

Y

Yee Lin Phang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China

C

Chen‐Yang Ye

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China

J

Jin‐Yu Lai

Institute of Advanced Technology University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China

F

Feng‐Lian Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China

Y

Yao Fu

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry

Y

Yi‐Feng Wang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 China