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Comprehensive Summary: Cross‐electrophile couplings (XEC), a crucial subset of cross‐coupling reactions, center on the formation of robust C—C bonds through the union of two electrophiles. Usually, such reactions have primarily been catalyzed by transition metals. However, with the steady advancements in photochemical and electrochemical technologies, XEC reactions have significantly progressed and broadened their scope, allowing for the utilization of a wider array of tolerable functional groups, thus revealing vast application prospects. This review aims to systematically summarize the current prevalent types of electrophiles and delve into their specific application examples within XEC reactions involving electrophiles with identical functional groups. Specifically, XECs between the same type of halides have received considerable attention, whereas carboxylic acids and alcohols are still in the early stages of investigation. Furthermore, certain other common electrophiles remain unexplored in this context. Moreover, this review underscores the remarkable contributions of photochemistry and electrochemistry in the field of XEC reactions, aiming to provide valuable insights and inspiration for researchers. Also, this review hopes to spark further interest in XEC reactions, thereby fueling the continuous development and advancement of this exciting area of research. Key Scientists: Since the 1960s, advancements in the XEC reaction have been substantial, driven primarily by the application of transition metal catalysts. In this area, many distinguished scientists have contributed their wisdom and efforts. Particularly noteworthy is that, during the systematic study of XEC reactions with the identical functional groups, in 2016, MacMillan achieved a photocatalytic XEC reaction between aryl bromides and alkyl bromides; in 2020, Weix successfully realized a nickel‐catalyzed XEC reaction between aryl chlorides and alkyl chlorides. Concurrently, contributions from researchers such as Mei, Wolf, Sevov, Lin, Shen, Browne, Zhang, and Qiu have expanded the scope of XEC reactions to various halides. By 2022, MacMillan and Baran achieved a significant milestone in the XEC between carboxylic acids, further broadening the scope of research in this area. Also, advancements in the XEC of alcohols have been noted, with researchers including Weix, Lian, Tu, and Stahl conducting pioneering work and successfully executing the XEC of protective groups. It is foreseen that the ongoing research endeavors will primarily concentrate on the expansion of diverse electrophiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dichloromethane, as a readily available and inexpensive C1 synthon is proposed as a powerful building block for cyclopropanation of alkenes under mild conditions. Herein, we report a highly efficient and versatile dual photoredox system, involving a nickel aminopyridine coordination complex and a photocatalyst, for the cyclopropanation of aromatic olefins using dichloromethane, under visible‐light irradiation. The cyclopropanation protocol has been successfully applied at gram scale. Mechanistic studies suggest a Ni(II) pyridyl radical complex as the key intermediate for the homolytic cleavage of the Csp3−Cl bond, generating a chloromethyl radical that is captured by the olefin coupling partner. Our findings also highlight the versatility of this methodology. By directing the radical/polar crossover process, we were able to selectively drive the reaction towards either the formation of cyclopropyl derivatives or the corresponding non‐cyclic alkyl chloride products. The methodology also successfully apply to geminal dichloroalkanes, including the formation of spiro[2,2] compounds. Moreover, our methodology extends to the synthesis of deuterium‐labelled cyclopropanes, demonstrating its utility in isotopic labelling and broadening its applicability in chemical synthesis and drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: A general and straightforward strategy for the synthesis of thioester‐substituted oxindoles via a palladium‐catalyzed thiocarbonylative cyclization process has been developed. With sulfonyl chlorides as promising sulfur source, a wide range of thioester‐substituted oxindoles were obtained in moderate to high yields. Both aryl and alkyl sulfonyl chlorides were well tolerated, and Mo(CO)6 played a dual role as both a CO source and a reductant in this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inertness of chloroalkanes has precluded them as coupling partners for cross‐coupling reactions. Herein we disclose a general strategy for the activation of inert alkyl chlorides through photoredox catalysis and their use as coupling partners with alkenes. The catalytic system is formed by [Ni(OTf)(Py2Tstacn)](OTf) (1Ni), which is responsible for the Csp3−Cl bond activation, and [Ir(NMe2bpy)(ppy)2]PF6, (PCIrNMe2), which is the photoredox catalyst. Combined experimental and theoretical studies show an in situ photogenerated NiI intermediate ([Ni(Py2Tstacn)]+) which is catalytically competent for the Csp3−Cl bond cleavage via a SN2 mechanism for primary alkyl chlorides, forming carbon‐centered free radicals, which react with the olefin leading to the formation of the Csp3−Csp3 bond. These results suggest inert alkyl chlorides can be electrophiles for developing new intermolecular strategies in which low‐valent aminopyridine nickel complexes act as key catalytic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐valent Ti‐mediated homolytic C−O bond cleavage offers unified access to carbon radicals from ubiquitous non‐activated tertiary, secondary, and even primary alcohols. In contrast to the representative Ti reagents, which were ineffective for this purpose, "TiCl2(cat)"/Zn (cat=catecholate) was found to be specifically active. This method was applied to the addition reactions of radicals to alkenes and exhibited high generality and yields. More than 50 combinations were examined. The excellent cost‐efficiency and accessibility of "TiCl2(cat)"/Zn further enhance its applicability. Control experiments proved the presence of a carbon radical intermediate and excluded the pathway via alkyl chlorides. Further mechanistic study indicated that the 1 : 2 complex of alkoxide (R−O−) and TiIII is an active species in the C−O cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and efficient protocol to generate amidyl radicals from amine functionalities through a manganese‐mediated atom‐transfer reaction has been developed. This approach employs an earth‐abundant and inexpensive manganese complex, Mn2(CO)10, as the catalyst and visible light as the energy input. Using this strategy, site‐selective chlorination of unactivated C(sp3)−H bonds of aliphatic amines and intramolecular/intermolecular chloroaminations of unactivated alkenes were readily realized under mild reaction conditions, thus providing efficient access to a range of synthetically valuable alkyl chlorides, chlorinated pyrrolidines, and vicinal chloroamine derivatives. These practical reactions exhibit a broad substrate scope and tolerate a wide array of functional groups, and complex molecules including various marketed drug derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical inertness of abundant and commercially available alkyl chlorides precludes their widespread use as reactants in chemical transformations. Presented in this work is a metallaphotoredox methodology to achieve the catalytic intramolecular reductive cyclization of unactivated alkyl chlorides with tethered alkenes. The cleavage of strong C(sp3)−Cl bonds is mediated by a highly nucleophilic low‐valent cobalt or nickel intermediate generated by visible‐light photoredox reduction employing a copper photosensitizer. The high basicity and multidentate nature of the ligands are key to obtaining efficient metal catalysts for the functionalization of unactivated alkyl chlorides. The chemical inertness of abundant and commercially available alkyl chlorides precludes their widespread use as reactants in chemical transformations. Presented here is a methodology to achieve the catalytic intramolecular reductive cyclization of unactivated alkyl chlorides with tethered alkenes. The cleavage of strong C(sp3)−Cl bonds is mediated by either a highly nucleophilic low‐valent cobalt or nickel intermediate, generated by employing a copper photosensitizer in a visible‐light photoredox reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A general formamide‐catalyzed protocol for the efficient transformation of alcohols into alkyl chlorides, which is promoted by substoichiometric amounts (down to 34 mol %) of inexpensive trichlorotriazine (TCT), is introduced. This is the first example of a TCT‐mediated dihydroxychlorination of an OH‐containing substrate (e.g., alcohols and carboxylic acids) in which all three chlorine atoms of TCT are transferred to the starting material. The consequently enhanced atom economy facilitates a significantly improved waste balance (E‐factors down to 4), cost efficiency, and scalability (>50 g). Furthermore, the current procedure is distinguished by high levels of functional‐group compatibility and stereoselectivity, as only weakly acidic cyanuric acid is released as exclusive byproduct. Finally, a one‐pot protocol for the preparation of amines, azides, ethers, and sulfides enabled the synthesis of the drug rivastigmine with twofold SN2 inversion, which demonstrates the high practical value of the presented method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct fluorination of tertiary alkyl bromides and iodides with Selectfluor is described. The halogen-exchange fluorination proceeds efficiently in acetonitrile at room temperature under metal-free conditions and exhibits a wide range of functional group compatibility. Furthermore, the reactions are highly selective in that alkyl chlorides and primary and secondary alkyl bromides remain intact. A radical mechanism is proposed for this selective fluorination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is presented for the direct transformation of a ketone to the corresponding reduced alkyl chloride or bromide. The process involves the reaction of a ketone trityl hydrazone with tBuOCl to give a diazene which readily collapses to the α-chlorocarbinyl radical, reduction of which by a hydrogen atom source gives the alkyl chloride product. The use of N-bromosuccinimide provides the corresponding alkyl bromide. This unique transformation provides a reductive halogenation that complements Barton's redox-neutral vinyl halide synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Chloroalkanes; Cross-Coupling; Photocatalysis; Reaction Mechanisms; Synthetic Methods EN Chloroalkanes Cross-Coupling Photocatalysis Reaction Mechanisms Synthetic Methods 1 1 1 05/11/22 20220516 NES 220516 B Photocatalysis b The photoredox activation of inert chloroalkanes for cross-coupling reactions with olefins is presented by Julio Lloret-Fillol et al. in their Research Article (e202114365). Chloroalkanes, Cross-Coupling, Photocatalysis, Reaction Mechanisms, Synthetic Methods Frontispiece: Photoredox Activation of Inert Alkyl Chlorides for the Reductive Cross-Coupling with Aromatic Alkenes. [Extracted from the article]