Photochemically induced radical transformation of C(sp3)-H bonds to C(sp3)-CN bonds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ol202659e

A general protocol for direct transformation of unreactive C(sp ³)-H bonds to C(sp³)-CN bonds has been developed. The C-H activation was effected by photoexcited benzophenone, and the generated carbon radical was subsequently trapped with tosyl cyanide to afford the corresponding nitrile in a highly efficient manner. The present methodology is widely applicable to versatile starting materials and, thus, serves as a powerful tool for selective one-carbon elongation for construction of architecturally complex molecules.