Photocatalyzed Reverse Polarity Oxidative Povarov Reaction of Glycine Derivatives with Maleimides

Abstract

Main observation and conclusion An oxidative tandem (4+2)‐cyclization/aromatization of N ‐aryl glycine derivatives with electron‐deficient alkenes was first achieved using Ru(bpy) 3 Cl 2 as a photocatalyst and TBHP as an oxidant in combination with visible‐light irradiation by blue LEDs. One‐electron oxidation and the following α‐deprotonation of glycine derivatives afford α‐amino alkyl radicals, which were then trapped by electrophilic maleimides. As an atom‐economic and efficient method, a variety of pyrrolo[3,4‐ c ]quinoline‐1,3‐diones have been obtained in good yields under mild reaction conditions.