Catalytic Hydroetherification of Unactivated Alkenes Enabled by Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.202003959

We report a catalytic, light-driven method for the intramolecular hydroetherification of unactivated alkenols to furnish cyclic ether products. These reactions occur under visible-light irradiation in the presence of an Ir^III-based photoredox catalyst, a Br?nsted base catalyst, and a hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) co-catalyst. Reactive alkoxy radicals are proposed as key intermediates, generated by direct homolytic activation of alcohol O?H bonds through a proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism. This method exhibits a broad substrate scope and high functional-group tolerance, and it accommodates a diverse range of alkene substitution patterns. Results demonstrating the extension of this catalytic system to carboetherification reactions are also presented.