Volume 64, Issue 24 e202506771
Communication

Remote Spin-Center Shift Enables Activation of Distal Benzylic C─O and C─N Bonds

Li-Wen Hui

Li-Wen Hui

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Yee Lin Phang

Yee Lin Phang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Chen-Yang Ye

Chen-Yang Ye

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Jin-Yu Lai

Jin-Yu Lai

Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

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Feng-Lian Zhang

Feng-Lian Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

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Yao Fu

Corresponding Author

Yao Fu

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Yi-Feng Wang

Corresponding Author

Yi-Feng Wang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 03 April 2025

Graphical Abstract

A remote spin-center shift process that involves 1,n-radical translocation followed by elimination of a leaving group has been developed to enable distal benzylic C─O and C─N bond activation. By this process, a 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)-boryl radical promoted radical deoxygenative and deaminative functionalization of free benzylic alcohols and simple benzylic amines to afford a wide range of alkylated products.

Abstract

A spin-center shift (SCS) is a radical process that commonly involves a 1,2-radical shift along with the elimination of an adjacent leaving group by a two-electron ionic movement. The conventional SCS process is largely limited to 1,2-radical translocation, while a remote SCS event involving 1,n-radical translocation over a greater distance to enable distal bond functionalization remains largely underexplored. Herein, we report the boryl radical-promoted distal deoxygenation and deamination of free benzylic alcohols and simple benzylic amines, respectively, through a remote SCS event. The reaction was initiated by the addition of a 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)-boryl radical to the carbonyl oxygen atom of a benzoate or benzamide. Then, radical translocation took place across the aromatic ring to promote benzylic C─O or C─N bond cleavage. The resulting radical intermediate subsequently coupled with various alkenes to afford a wide range of alkylated products. The proposed mechanistic pathway was supported by experimental investigations.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.

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