Liao Ke, Gui Chunming, Cao Ziming, Huang Yong, Chen Jiean
Pingshan Translational Medicine Center, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.
Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 1;16(1):5553. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-60229-y.
Carbon-carbon bond cleavage is a transformative strategy in chemical synthesis, particularly for modifying complex molecules. While the cleavage of C(sp²)=C(sp²) π-bonds is relatively straightforward, the selective cleavage of unpolarized C(sp²)-C(sp³) σ-bonds remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a redox-neutral approach for hydrodealkenylation, enabling the selective cleavage of C(sp²)-C(sp³) σ-bonds in aryl olefins. This reaction proceeds via a cascade of aryl radical cation-mediated open-shell steps under photoredox conditions, incorporating an alkene migration step that exhibits high selectivity and synthetic versatility. This protocol facilitates the selective removal of a vinyl group from arylalkene substrates, yielding isolable fragments. Moreover, this method extends beyond single-bond cleavage by enabling a domino reaction sequence capable of cleaving multiple inert carbon-carbon σ-bonds and allowing programmable chain homologation. This work advances the field of σ-bond cleavage and functionalization, offering a versatile tool for the molecular editing of hydrocarbons with significant implications for synthetic chemistry and the development of novel chemical transformations.
碳-碳键裂解是化学合成中的一种转化策略,尤其适用于修饰复杂分子。虽然C(sp²)=C(sp²) π键的裂解相对简单,但未极化的C(sp²)-C(sp³) σ键的选择性裂解仍然是一项重大挑战。在本研究中,我们提出了一种用于加氢脱烯基化的氧化还原中性方法,能够选择性裂解芳基烯烃中的C(sp²)-C(sp³) σ键。该反应在光氧化还原条件下通过一系列芳基自由基阳离子介导的开壳步骤进行,其中包含一个具有高选择性和合成通用性的烯烃迁移步骤。该方案有助于从芳基烯烃底物中选择性去除乙烯基,生成可分离的片段。此外,该方法不仅限于单键裂解,还能通过多米诺反应序列裂解多个惰性碳-碳σ键并实现可编程的链同系化。这项工作推动了σ键裂解和官能团化领域的发展,为烃类的分子编辑提供了一种通用工具,对合成化学和新型化学转化的发展具有重要意义。