Isocyanides as Acceptor Groups in MHAT Reactions with Unactivated Alkenes

Org Lett. 2023 Sep 8;25(35):6539-6543. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c02358. Epub 2023 Aug 30.

Abstract

The use of isocyanides as acceptor groups in metal-hydride hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) coupling reactions with nonactivated alkenes to form heterocycles is described. Monosubstituted alkenes couple and cyclize directly, whereas more substituted alkenes proceed via a two-step, one-pot procedure involving MHAT reductive cyclization followed by a MHAT Minisci coupling upon the addition of acid. To highlight the utility of the methodology, a diverse variety of substituted heterocycles such as phenanthridines, indoles, and isoquinolines were prepared.