Visible‐Light‐Mediated [4+2] Cycloaddition of Styrenes: Synthesis of Tetralin Derivatives

• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201702940
• Publication Date: 2017-05-05T11:48:22Z
• Authors: Leifeng Wang; Fengjin Wu; Jiean Chen; David A. Nicewicz; Yong Huang
• Keywords: Organocatalysis; Photoredox chemistry; Radical reactions; Tetralin; 01 natural sciences; Cycloaddition; 0104 chemical sciences

AbstractWe report a formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of styrenes under visible‐light catalysis. Two styrene molecules with different electronic or steric properties were found to react with each other in good yield and excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity. This reaction provides direct access to polysubstituted tetralin scaffolds from readily available styrenes. Sophisticated tricyclic and tetracyclic tetralin analogues were prepared in high yield and up to 20/1 diasteroselectivity from cyclic substrates.