Photocatalytic Strategy for Decyanative Transformations Enabled by Amine-Ligated Boryl Radical

Abstract

Decyanation after α-functionalization by exploiting the inherent properties of cyano groups enables the strategic assembly of a carbon scaffold. Herein, we demonstrate an amine-ligated boryl radical-mediated cyano group transfer (CGT) strategy of malononitriles under photocatalytic conditions. This strategy allows for the cleavage of C(sp3)-CN and the formation of C(sp3)-D and C(sp3) to realize decyanative deuteration and cyclization via radical-polar crossover. Computational studies successfully demonstrated the reactivity of CGT promoters can be accurately assessed.