Scalable Synthesis of Vicinal Quaternary Stereocenters via the Solid-State Photodecarbonylation of a Crystalline Hexasubstituted Ketone

Org Lett. 2020 Nov 20;22(22):8855-8859. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c03226. Epub 2020 Oct 29.

Abstract

We report the synthesis and stereospecific solid-state photodecarbonylation of a hexasubstituted ketone featuring six distinct α-substituents. The photoproduct of the solid-state transformation features vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters. While reactions carried out in bulk powders and aqueous crystalline suspensions were complicated by secondary photochemistry of the primary photoproduct, optimal conditions provided good yields and recyclable starting material. Subsequent transformations of the α-substituents having orthogonal chemical reactivity illustrate the potential of this transformation toward constructing complex architectures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.