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Transition-Metal-Free, Visible-Light-Driven Regioselective Phosphinoylation/Hydrazonation of Unactivated Alkenes with Arylhydrazines and H-Phosphine Oxides

Weifeng Xu

Weifeng Xu

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, Hunan, 414006 China

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Minjing Yuan

Corresponding Author

Minjing Yuan

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, Hunan, 414006 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
Longzhi Zhu

Longzhi Zhu

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, Hunan, 414006 China

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Sha Jin

Sha Jin

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, Hunan, 414006 China

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Biquan Xiong

Corresponding Author

Biquan Xiong

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, Hunan, 414006 China

Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
First published: 21 July 2025

Comprehensive Summary

A novel visible-light-driven protocol has been established for the direct difunctionalization of unactivated alkenes using arylhydrazines and H-phosphine oxides as dual-function reagents. Through visible-light photocatalysis, phosphonyl radicals are generated as key intermediates, which undergo a cascade process involving radical addition, single-electron oxidation, and dehydration coupling to achieve the in-situ construction of C–P and C=N–N bonds. The method demonstrates broad substrate compatibility with excellent functional group tolerance, delivering β-phosphinoyl hydrazones in moderate to good yields. Notably, several synthesized compounds exhibit potent anti-proliferative activity against HepG2 cells. Mechanistic investigations through radical trapping experiments and kinetic studies confirm a radical chain pathway, with photocatalysis crucially mediating the initial radical generation and subsequent electron transfer processes.

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