Radical Chain Isomerization of N-Sulfonyl Ynamides to Ketenimines and Its Application to Furan Dearomatization

Org Lett. 2021 Dec 3;23(23):9321-9326. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c03729. Epub 2021 Nov 22.

Abstract

A radical chain isomerization of N-sulfonyl ynamides to isolable ketenimines is developed, featuring mild reaction conditions, a high efficiency, ∼100% atom economy, a broad substrate scope, and column chromatography-free workup in most cases. Meanwhile, an unprecedented dearomatization of furans is achieved by the radical chain isomerization-triggered aza-Claisen rearrangement, providing highly chemo-, regio-, stereo-, and diastereoselective access to functionalized quaternary nitriles.