Direct allylic C–H alkylation of enol silyl ethers enabled by photoredox–Brønsted base hybrid catalysis

Strategies for altering the reaction pathway of reactive intermediates are of significant importance in diversifying organic synthesis. Enol silyl ethers, versatile enolate equivalents, are known to undergo one-electron oxidation to generate the radical cations that spontaneously form electrophilic α-carbonyl radicals via elimination of the silyl groups. Here, we demonstrate that close scrutiny of the property of the radical cations as strong C–H acids enables the identification of a catalyst system consisting of an iridium-based photosensitizer and 2,4,6-collidine for the generation of nucleophilic allylic radicals from enol silyl ethers through one-electron oxidation-deprotonation sequence under light irradiation without the desilylation of the radical cation intermediates. The resultant allylic radicals engage in the addition to electron-deficient olefins, establishing the selective allylic C-H alkylation of enol silyl ethers. This strategy is broadly applicable, and the alkylated enol silyl ethers can be transformed into highly functionalized carbonyl compounds by exploiting their common polar reactivity.
Allylic C–H activation of enol silyl ethers via one-electron oxidation is usually accompanied by undesired desilylation. Here, under hybrid photoredox and Brønsted base catalysis, the authors show the mild functionalization of enol silyl ethers, providing a platform to access an array of complex carbonyl compounds.