Visible-light-induced bifunctionalisation of (homo)propargylic amines with CO2 and arylsulfinates

Abstract

An unprecedented carboxylative sulfonylation of (homo)propargyl amines with CO₂ and sodium arylsulfinates under visible light irradiation has been developed with high efficiency. This ruthenium-catalysed photochemical protocol offers broad substrate scope giving 2-oxazolidinones and 2-oxazinones bearing alkyl sulfones in good yields under ambient reaction conditions. An in situ double bond isomerisation occurs in tandem. A mechanistic rationale for these radical-initiated carboxylative cyclisations involving sulfinyl radicals is presented, supported by control and quenching experiments.