Photocatalytic Intramolecular Aminocarboxylation of Alkenes with Atmospheric CO2: Diastereoselective Access to β-Homoproline Derivatives

Abstract

beta-Homoproline derivatives are valuable scaffolds in biologically active molecules and pharmaceuticals. However, efficient methods for synthesizing alpha-substituted beta-homoproline derivatives remain underdeveloped. We report a photoredox-catalyzed intramolecular aminocarboxylation of alkenes using atmospheric CO2 under mild conditions. This transformation provides a broad range of alpha-substituted beta-homoprolines in good to excellent yields (up to 93%) and high diastereoselectivity (up to 12:1). The synthetic utility of the products was demonstrated through various downstream transformations.