Sigma (σ)-hole effect of perfluoroalkyl iodide, an interaction between the σ* orbitals of C-I bond and a Lewis base, has proven efficient for the generation of perfluoroalkyl radicals via single...

Cascade radical cyclization of N-arylacrylamides is an attractive method to prepare 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles. As the reported methods often require additives and/or photocatalysts, we herein report an additive-and photocatalyst-free deaminative strategy for their synthesis under mild conditions, enabled by photoactivation of an electron donor−acceptor (EDA) complex. DFT studies indicated that the involvement of an explicit xylene solvent molecule can greatly enhance the photoactivity of the EDA complex between N-arylacrylamides and Katritzky salts.

Here, we report a photocatalytic charge-transfer complex (CTC) strategy for one electron reduction of alkenes using thiolate as a catalytic electron donor. This catalytic CTC system could engage hydroarylation of both activated and unactivated alkenes for the synthesis of various heterocycles. The reactions do not require any photocatalysts or acids and are easy to perform. Mechanistic studies revealed the formation of a CTC between catalytic thiolate and alkene.Letter pubs.acs.org/OrgLett