Three‐Component Alkene Difunctionalization by Direct and Selective Activation of Aliphatic C−H Bonds

Abstract

Catalytic alkene difunctionalization is a powerful strategy for the rapid assembly of complex molecules and has wide range of applications in synthetic chemistry. Despite significant progress, a compelling challenge that still needs to be solved is the installation of highly functionalized C(sp3)‐hybridized centers without requiring pre‐activated substrates. We herein report that inexpensive and easy‐to‐synthesize decatungstate photo‐HAT, in combination with nickel catalysis, provides a versatile platform for three‐component alkene difunctionalization through direct and selective activation of aliphatic C−H bonds. Compared with previous studies, the significant advantages of this strategy are that the most abundant hydrocarbons are used as feedstocks, and various highly functionalized tertiary, secondary, and primary C(sp3)‐hybrid centers can be easily installed. The practicability of this strategy is demonstrated in the selective late‐stage functionalization of natural products and the concise synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant molecules including Piragliatin.