Decarboxylative Aminomethylation of Ferulic Acids via Visible‐Light‐Promoted Flavin Photocatalysis and its Application in the Synthesis of Anti‐Inflammatory Lead Compounds

Abstract

Herein, we reported a protocol for direct visible‐light‐mediated decarboxylative aminomethylation of ferulic acid with N‐aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines in air atmosphere. Current protocol uses naturally available ferulic acid as coupling partner, inexpensive organic photocatalyst riboflavin tetraacetate (RFTA) as photocatalyst and molecular oxygen as oxidant, which is suitable for late‐stage functionalization of complex nitrogen‐containing molecules. This methodology was further demonstrated its utility by the protecting‐group‐free semi‐synthesis of natural alkaloids maclekarpine E and assessing the anti‐inflammatory activity of its analogues.