Cyano-Fluorosulfonylation of Unactivated Alkenes by Photoredox and Copper Dual Catalysis

Abstract

Both fluorosulfonyl and cyano groups are important structural motifs in bioactive molecules. Herein, we report a new difunctionalization reaction of alkenes based on fluorosulfonyl radicals, which allows for the introduction of the fluorosulfonyl and cyano groups into unactivated alkenes in one step. This transformation is enabled by merging photoredox and copper catalysis, featuring visible light catalysis, mild conditions, and good functional group tolerance. Further transformation of products via SuFEx reactions is also demonstrated.