Organocatalytic reductive coupling of aldehydes with 1,1-diarylethylenes using an in situ generated pyridine-boryl radical?

Chemical Science Pub Date: 2018-02-28 DOI: 10.1039/C7SC05225A

Abstract

A pyridine-boryl radical promoted reductive coupling reaction of aldehydes with 1,1-diarylethylenes has been established via a combination of computational and experimental studies. Density functional theory calculations and control experiments suggest that the ketyl radical from the addition of the pyridine-boryl radical to aldehydes is the key intermediate for this C–C bond formation reaction. This metal-free reductive coupling reaction features a broad substrate scope and good functional compatibility.

Graphical abstract: Organocatalytic reductive coupling of aldehydes with 1,1-diarylethylenes using an in situ generated pyridine-boryl radical
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