Deconstructive functionalization involves C–C bond cleavage followed by bond construction on one or more of the constituent carbons. For example, ozonolysis 1 and olefin metathesis 2 , 3 have allowed each carbon in C–C double bonds to be viewed as a functional group. Despite the significant advances in deconstructive functionalizations involving scission of C–C double bonds, there are very few methods that achieve C( sp 3 )–C( sp 3 ) single bond cleavage/functionalization, especially in relatively unstrained cyclic systems. Here, we report a deconstructive strategy to transform saturated nitrogen heterocycles such as piperidines and pyrrolidines, important moities in bioactive molecules, into halogen-containing acyclic amine derivatives through sequential C( sp 3 )–N/C( sp 3 )–C( sp 3 ) single bond cleavage followed by C( sp 3 )–halogen bond formation. The resulting acyclic haloamines serve as versatile intermediates that are transformed into a variety of structural motifs through substitution reactions. In this way, skeletal remodeling of cyclic amines, which constitutes a scaffold hop, can be achieved. The value of this deconstructive strategy has been demonstrated through the late-stage diversification of proline-containing peptides.

Deconstructive functionalizations involving scission of carbon-carbon double bonds are well established. In contrast, unstrained C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond cleavage and functionalization have less precedent. Here we report the use of deconstructive fluorination to access mono- and difluorinated amine derivatives by C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond cleavage in saturated nitrogen heterocycles such as piperidines and pyrrolidines. Silver-mediated ring-opening fluorination using Selectfluor highlights a strategy for cyclic amine functionalization and late-stage skeletal diversification, establishing cyclic amines as synthons for amino alkyl radicals and providing synthetic routes to valuable building blocks.

Saturated cyclic amines (aza-cycles) are ubiquitous structural motifs found in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and bioactive natural products. Given their importance, methods that directly functionalize aza-cycles are in high demand. Herein, we disclose a fundamentally different approach to functionalizing cyclic amines which relies on C−C cleavage and attendant cross-coupling. The initial functionalization step is the generation of underexplored N-fused bicyclo α-hydroxy-β-lactams under mild, visible light conditions using a Norrish−Yang process to affect α-functionalization of saturated cyclic amines. This approach is complementary to previous methods for the C−H functionalization of aza-cycles and provides unique access to various cross-coupling adducts. In the course of these studies, we have also uncovered an orthogonal, base-promoted opening of the N-fused bicyclo α-hydroxy-β-lactams. Computational studies have provided insight into the origin of the complementary C−C cleavage processes.

Dual Brønsted/Lewis acid catalysis involving environmentally benign, readily accessible protic acid and iron promotes site-selective tert-alkylation of arenes using di-tert-butylperoxide and tertiary alcohols.

3-Nitromethyleneoxetane: A very versatile and promising building block for energetic oxetane-based monomers  Max Borna‡, Thomas C. Fessardb, Lucas Göttemannb, Konstantin Karaghiosoffa, Jakob Planka and Thomas M. Klapötke*aIn the field...