Recent Advances in C–C Bond Formation via Visible Light-Mediated Desulfonylation and Its Application in the Modification of Biologically Active Compounds

Abstract

Developing efficient and novel methodologies to construct a C–C bond is highly important in both synthetic chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. In recent years, the visible light-mediated desulfonylative transformation of sulfonyl compounds has emerged as a powerful tool for the synthesis of diverse C–C bond. To emphasize their practical utility, many methodologies have been successfully applied in the modification of a variety of biologically active compounds which possess unprotected amide or hydroxy groups. In this review, we would like to summarize recent advances in C–C bond formation via the visible light-mediated desulfonylation of sulfonyl chlorides, sulfinates, sulfonamides, sulfones, and sulfonylhydrazones. The reaction design, mechanism research, and the application of these protocols in the modification of biologically active compounds are presented. The challenges and future developments in this area are also discussed.

Keywords

• desulfonylation
• photoredox
• carbon–carbon bond formation
• biologically active compound
• radical