Visible-Light-Enhanced Ring Opening of Cycloalkanols Enabled by Brønsted Base-Tethered Acyloxy Radical Induced Hydrogen Atom Transfer-Electron Transfer

Abstract

A metal-free ring opening/halogenation of cycloalkanols, which combines both PPO/TBAX oxidant system and blue LEDs irradiation, is presented. This method produces diverse γ, δ, and even more remotely halogenated ketones in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions. Interestingly, experimental and computational studies demonstrate the novel ring size-dependent concerted/stepwise (four-/five- to eight-membered rings) hydrogen atom transfer-electron transfer induced by Brønsted base-tethered acyloxy radical, which indicates distinct advantages brought by the cyclic structure of diacyl peroxides.