Visible-light-driven NHC and organophotoredox dual catalysis for the synthesis of carbonyl compounds

• Vasudevan Dhayalan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2584–2603, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.200

• *]: +0.83 V vs SCE in CH3CN), possessing less positive reduction potential, have shown the low catalytic activities of the reactions. This synergistic method permits the use of safer and non-toxic starting materials. In this relay catalytic strategy, a wide range of substituted enals 34 and dibenzoxazepines

Effect of a photoswitchable rotaxane on membrane permeabilization across lipid compositions

• Udyogi N. K. Conthagamage,
• Lilia Lopez,
• Zuliah A. Abdulsalam and
• Víctor García-López

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2498–2512, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.192

• bilayers through the shuttling of the macrocycle carrying the ions or through a relay mechanism [10][11]. In one example, the isomerization of an azobenzene photoswitch incorporated into the axle was used to modulate the shuttling rate of the macrocycle and, consequently, the efficiency of potassium ion

Measuring the stereogenic remoteness in non-central chirality: a stereocontrol connectivity index for asymmetric reactions

• Ivan Keng Wee On,
• Yu Kun Choo,
• Sambhav Baid and
• Ye Zhu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1995–2006, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.155

• parameterizing the relay of stereochemical information from the chiral catalysts to the prochiral substrates. In this study, we propose a stereocontrol connectivity index that quantitatively characterizes asymmetric reactions. The index could serve as a basis for classifying asymmetric reactions according to the

Photochemical reduction of acylimidazolium salts

• Michael Jakob,
• Nick Bechler,
• Hassan Abdelwahab,
• Fabian Weber,
• Janos Wasternack,
• Leonardo Kleebauer,
• Jan P. Götze and
• Matthew N. Hopkinson

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1973–1983, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.153

• employed including carboxylic acids [37], xanthates [38], electron-rich toluene or heteroatom-substituted species [39][40][41][42], organoboron compounds [43][44] and organosilanes [43][45]. Moreover, three-component radical relay processes employing styrene derivatives have also been widely studied. In

The effect of neighbouring group participation and possible long range remote group participation in O-glycosylation

• Rituparna Das and
• Balaram Mukhopadhyay

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 369–406, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.27

• tetroxide and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide also successfully cleaved the ester reductively by relay-type cleavage. Thus, the tertiary ester could be removed either oxidatively or reductively depending on the sensitivity and requirement of the molecule developed. Similarly, Trost and Hembre devised the 4-(tert

• capable of being cleaved by two possible orthogonal pathways. The first method involves a relay approach by catalytic hydrogenation followed by the application of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (bDMAN) which selectively cleaves the protecting group while keeping the other ester groups intact. The

Synthesis, structure, ionochromic and cytotoxic properties of new 2-(indolin-2-yl)-1,3-tropolones

• Yurii A. Sayapin,
• Eugeny A. Gusakov,
• Inna O. Tupaeva,
• Alexander D. Dubonosov,
• Igor V. Dorogan,
• Valery V. Tkachev,
• Anna S. Goncharova,
• Gennady V. Shilov,
• Natalia S. Kuznetsova,
• Svetlana Y. Filippova,
• Tatyana A. Krasnikova,
• Yanis A. Boumber,
• Alexey Y. Maksimov,
• Sergey M. Aldoshin and
• Vladimir I. Minkin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 358–368, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.26

• decrease to normal values of 1800–2000 cm−1, indicating a complete inhibition of the ESIPT process. These spectral transformations are usually caused by the formation of a strong N–H(O–H)···CN− (F−) hydrogen bond up to deprotonation [28]. Using the principle of “relay recognition” [29], we investigated the

Recent advances in electrochemical copper catalysis for modern organic synthesis

• Yemin Kim and
• Won Jun Jang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 155–178, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.9

• group developed the electrocatalytic racemic C(sp³)–H alkynylation of THIQs with terminal alkynes in a continuous-flow microreactor using copper/TEMPO relay catalysis [51]. The electrocatalytic reaction in continuous flow facilitates straightforward scale-up and demonstrating a broad substrate scope. In

• cyanation of benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds (Figure 7) [56]. A wide range of electron-poor and electron-rich alkylarenes 20 are suitable substrates for this electrophotocatalytic radical relay strategy. Additionally, late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules provides the corresponding chiral cyanation

• construction of C–C and C–X bonds [74]. Recently, photoelectrochemical asymmetric decarboxylative cyanation was independently established by the groups of Xu, Zhang, and Fu (Figure 18) [75][76][77]. Each group employed the same Ce/Cu relay catalysis strategy to produce chiral nitrile compounds in high yields

Advances in radical peroxidation with hydroperoxides

• Oleg V. Bityukov,
• Pavel Yu. Serdyuchenko,
• Andrey S. Kirillov,
• Gennady I. Nikishin,
• Vera A. Vil’ and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2959–3006, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.249

A review of recent advances in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical late-stage functionalization classified by anodic oxidation, cathodic reduction, and paired electrolysis

• Nian Li,
• Ruzal Sitdikov,
• Ajit Prabhakar Kale,
• Joost Steverlynck,
• Bo Li and
• Magnus Rueping

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2500–2566, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.214

• , employing a radical relay strategy to produce polyaryl-functionalized alkanes [46]. The authors proposed that the initial anodic oxidation of indole generates an indole cation radical intermediate, which is successively deprotonated to form an indolyl carbon-centered radical. This radical then adds to the C

Benzylic C(sp³)–H fluorination

• Alexander P. Atkins,
• Alice C. Dean and
• Alastair J. J. Lennox

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1527–1547, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.137

• shown, this report provided important precedent for the ability of copper fluoride species to deliver fluorine to carbon radicals. Following on from this, Stahl and co-workers reported in 2020 an efficient synthesis of secondary and tertiary benzyl fluorides via a copper-catalysed radical relay

(Bio)isosteres of ortho- and meta-substituted benzenes

• H. Erik Diepers and
• Johannes C. L. Walker

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 859–890, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.78

• (±)-30. In a related strategy, Procter and co-workers prepared 1,2-BCHs (±)-33a–e from BCBs 32 via a SmI2-catalysed radical relay alkene insertion (Scheme 3C) [35]. This approach relied on single-electron reduction of the ketone moiety and ring-expansion from the ketyl radical anion. Electron-deficient

Mechanisms for radical reactions initiating from N-hydroxyphthalimide esters

• Carlos R. Azpilcueta-Nicolas and
• Jean-Philip Lumb

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 346–378, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.35

• carbene (NHC)-catalyzed radical relay, and (iv) mechanisms under electrochemical activation. By discussing selected literature examples, we illustrate how the activation mode of NHPI esters, and the reactivity of the resulting radical species, can vary depending upon the choice of catalytic or

• mechanism discussed in Scheme 7B. Lastly, radical–radical coupling between 64 and 147, accompanied by elimination of the NHC catalyst, yields ketone product 149. In subsequent studies, this NHC-catalyzed radical relay activation mode has been extended to the alkylation of aliphatic aldehydes [107] and to

Synthesis of ether lipids: natural compounds and analogues

• Marco Antônio G. B. Gomes,
• Alicia Bauduin,
• Chloé Le Roux,
• Romain Fouinneteau,
• Wilfried Berthe,
• Mathieu Berchel,
• Hélène Couthon and
• Paul-Alain Jaffrès

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1299–1369, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.96

Photoredox catalysis harvesting multiple photon or electrochemical energies

• Mattia Lepori,
• Simon Schmid and
• Joshua P. Barham

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1055–1145, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.81

Photocatalytic sequential C–H functionalization expediting acetoxymalonylation of imidazo heterocycles

• Deepak Singh,
• Shyamal Pramanik and
• Soumitra Maity

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 666–673, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.48

• from academia and industry. Herein, we report a direct C-3 acetoxymalonylation of imidazo heterocycles using relay C–H functionalization enabled by organophotocatalysis starring zinc acetate in the triple role of an activator, ion scavenger as well as an acetylating reagent. The mechanistic

• products with excellent yields and regioselectivity, thus confirming excellent functional group tolerability. Keywords: C–H functionalization; imidazo heterocycles; photoredox; regioselective; relay catalysis; Introduction Among all N-fused heterocycles, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines (IPs) are the prevalent

• using air as the sole oxygen source. Keeping in mind the progress in photochemical relay catalysis [24] and the attention paid to photocatalytic carbon-bond functionalization in the past several years [25], here we developed an organophotoredox-catalyzed C–H functionalization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Total synthesis of grayanane natural products

• Nicolas Fay,
• Rémi Blieck,
• Cyrille Kouklovsky and
• Aurélien de la Torre

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1707–1719, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.181

• earliest synthetic efforts from 1971 to the latest in 2022. In a last part we will present unfinished syntheses. Review Early syntheses by Matsumoto and Shirahama The first synthetic approach towards a grayanane natural product was reported by Matsumoto in the 70s, using a relay approach. The authors first

• had previously reported a similar rearrangement for the synthesis of a grayanane-type skeleton [21]. Further methylation and protecting group interconversions lead to an advanced tricyclic structure 5, which could be further elaborated into relay intermediate 1. Although Matsumoto’s approach does not

• known to date. Thus, we anticipate that in the future, organic chemists will keep focusing on highly enantioselective, efficient and flexible synthetic strategies towards grayanane natural products. General structure of grayanane natural products. Grayanane biosynthesis. Matsumoto’s relay approach

Electrocatalytic C(sp³)–H/C(sp)–H cross-coupling in continuous flow through TEMPO/copper relay catalysis

• Bin Guo and
• Hai-Chao Xu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2650–2656, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.178

• terminal alkynes has been achieved in a continuous-flow microreactor through 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO)/copper relay catalysis. The reaction is easily scalable and requires low concentration of supporting electrolyte and no external chemical oxidants or ligands, providing straightforward

• electrocatalytic dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction of tetrahydroisoquinolines with terminal alkynes in continuous flow (Scheme 1D). These reactions require low loadings of supporting electrolyte and proceed through Cu/TEMPO relay catalysis without need for additional ligands. Results and Discussion The

• through reversible reaction with this cationic species. Conclusion In summary, we have achieved the electrochemical dehydrogenation cross-coupling of tetrahydroisoquinolines with terminal alkynes in continuous flow through Cu/TEMPO relay catalysis. This work demonstrates that continuous-flow

Recent advances in organocatalytic asymmetric aza-Michael reactions of amines and amides

• Pratibha Sharma,
• Raakhi Gupta and
• Raj K. Bansal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2585–2610, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.173

• high enantioselectivities (up to 65–91%) [40]. Rajasekar et al. developed an efficient one-pot tandem rhodium(II)/chiral squaramide relay catalysis for the enantioselective construction of dihydro-β-carbolines 37 from the Michael reaction of suitably substituted indole derivatives 34 with N-sulfonyl

Molecular basis for protein–protein interactions

• Brandon Charles Seychell and
• Tobias Beck

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1–10, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.1

• interactions; Introduction From signalling over transport to catalysis, the broad functionality of proteins is essential in the cellular machinery. To this effect, proteins can be seen as the workforce of the cell. Proteins relay some of their functionality via interactions between protein nodes called

Recent developments in enantioselective photocatalysis

• Callum Prentice,
• James Morrisson,
• Andrew D. Smith and
• Eli Zysman-Colman

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2363–2441, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.197

Clustering and curation of electropherograms: an efficient method for analyzing large cohorts of capillary electrophoresis glycomic profiles for bioprocessing operations

• Ian Walsh,
• Matthew S. F. Choo,
• Sim Lyn Chiin,
• Amelia Mak,
• Shi Jie Tay,
• Pauline M. Rudd,
• Yang Yuansheng,
• Andre Choo,
• Ho Ying Swan and
• Terry Nguyen-Khuong

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2087–2099, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.176

• (CQA) of most biologics. This necessitates control of glycosylation processing during a drug process development stage to ultimately relay a consistent glycosylation of the biologic product during manufacturing [6]. This is difficult because glycosylation during fermentation occurs with a high degree

An overview on disulfide-catalyzed and -cocatalyzed photoreactions

• Yeersen Patehebieke

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1418–1435, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.118

• nonpolar solvent, PhSSPh accelerates the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of the radical cation 19, but the electron-relay catalyst promotes the [2 + 2] cycloaddition. The radical cation 19 can undergo two different types of cyclizations, subject to the relative reactivity of its radical and cation center. The α

Combining enyne metathesis with long-established organic transformations: a powerful strategy for the sustainable synthesis of bioactive molecules

• Valerian Dragutan,
• Ileana Dragutan,
• Albert Demonceau and
• Lionel Delaude

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 738–755, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.68

• related to the trinorsesquiterpene (−)‐clavukerin A, was also communicated by Metz et al. [79] using an enyne metathesis reaction as a key step. The authors performed a relay metathesis of the trienyne or diene–diyne precursors in the presence of the second-generation Grubbs catalyst (Scheme 14). The

• . Securinega alkaloids The total synthesis of the Securinega alkaloids, (−)-flueggine A (18) and (+)-virosaine B (19), which are potent anticancer agents, was proposed by Wei et al. [90] via a relay ring-closing metathesis (RRCM) associated with a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The enyne precursors bearing a

• dienic relay unit, were prepared from Weinreb amide by an asymmetric pathway, were reacted with either the Grubbs second-generation catalyst, the Hoveyda–Grubbs second-generation catalyst, or the Zhan catalyst, the latter giving under the optimized conditions the highest yield of the expected

An efficient synthesis of the guaiane sesquiterpene (−)-isoguaiene by domino metathesis

• Yuzhou Wang,
• Ahmed F. Darweesh,
• Patrick Zimdars and
• Peter Metz

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 858–862, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.83

• feature a domino metathesis event and an organocatalytic Michael addition as the key steps. In closer analogy to our improved synthesis of clavukerin A (2) [8], a relay metathesis [9] of trienyne 3 was expected to lead to the hydroazulene 1 selectively. Trienyne 3 was envisioned to result from a

• [11][12][13][14] of compound 7 or its relay surrogate 8 might give rise to the conjugated triene 6, chemoselective hydrogenation [15] of which would generate the target molecule 1. Similar to the disconnection of trienyne 3, the metathesis substrates 7 and 8 can be derived from aldehyde 9, which is

• finally also traced back to (S)-citronellal (5). Scheme 2 illustrates the synthesis of (−)-isoguaiene (1) by relay metathesis of trienyne 3. The unsaturated aldehyde 4 required for the organocatalytic Michael addition was readily prepared in five steps commencing with (S)-citronellal (5). After protection

Synthesis of the polyketide section of seragamide A and related cyclodepsipeptides via Negishi cross coupling

• Jan Hendrik Lang and
• Thomas Lindel

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 577–583, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.53

• Suberites japonicus (Thiele) has been synthesized only once, with relay ring-closing metathesis being the key step [9]. Characteristically, seragamides A–E exhibit a L-threonine unit at the C-terminus of the peptide moiety. There is a considerable body of work on the synthesis of the C12 polyketide section