Photoredox catalysis has transformed the landscape of radical-based synthetic chemistry. Additions of radicals generated through photoredox catalysis to carbon−carbon πbonds are well-established; however, this approach has yet to be applied to the functionalization of carbon−carbon σ-bonds. Here, we report the first such use of photoredox catalysis to promote the addition of organic halides to the carbocycle [1.1.1]propellane; the product bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are motifs of high importance in the pharmaceutical industry and in materials chemistry. Showing broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance, this methodology results in the first examples of bicyclopentylation of sp 2 carbon−halogen bonds to access (hetero)arylated BCPs, as well as the functionalization of nonstabilized sp 3 radicals. Substrates containing alkene acceptors allow the single-step construction of polycyclic bicyclopentane products through unprecedented atom transfer radical cyclization cascades, while the potential to accelerate drug discovery is demonstrated through late-stage bicyclopentylations of natural productlike and druglike molecules. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate the importance of the photocatalyst in this chemistry and provide insight into the balance of radical stability and strain relief in the reaction cycle.

Small-ring cage hydrocarbons are common bioisosteres for para-substituted benzene rings in drug design 1 . The popularity of these structures derives from the superior pharmacokinetic properties they exhibit compared to the parent aromatics, including improved solubility and reduced susceptibility to metabolism 2,3 . A prime example is the bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane motif, which is mainly synthesised by ring-opening of the inter-bridgehead bond of the strained hydrocarbon [1.1.1]propellane with radicals or anions 4 . In contrast, scaffolds mimicking metasubstituted arenes are lacking due to the challenge of synthesising saturated isosteres that accurately reproduce substituent vectors 5 . Here we show that bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes (BCHeps), hydrocarbons whose bridgehead substituents map precisely onto the geometry of meta-substituted benzenes, can be conveniently accessed from [3.1.1]propellane. We found that [3.1.1]propellane can be synthesized on multigram scale, and readily undergoes a range of radical-based transformations to generate medicinally-relevant carbon-and heteroatom-substituted BCHeps, including pharmaceutical

1,3‐Disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are important motifs in drug design as surrogates for p ‐substituted arenes and alkynes. Access to all‐carbon disubstituted BCPs via cross‐coupling has to date been limited to use of the BCP as the organometallic component, which restricts scope due to the harsh conditions typically required for the synthesis of metallated BCPs. Here we report a general method to access 1,3‐ C ‐disubstituted BCPs from 1‐iodo‐bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (iodo‐BCPs) by direct iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling with aryl and heteroaryl Grignard reagents. This chemistry represents the first general use of iodo‐BCPs as electrophiles in cross‐coupling, and the first Kumada coupling of tertiary iodides. Benefiting from short reaction times, mild conditions, and broad scope of the coupling partners, it enables the synthesis of a wide range of 1,3‐ C ‐disubstituted BCPs including various drug analogues.

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) have become established as attractive bioisosteres for para-substituted benzene rings in drug design. Conferring various beneficial properties compared with their aromatic "parents," BCPs featuring a wide array of bridgehead substituents can now be accessed by an equivalent variety of methods. In this perspective, we discuss the evolution of this field and focus on the most enabling and general methods for BCPs synthesis, considering both scope and limitation. Recent breakthroughs on the synthesis of bridge-substituted BCPs are described, as well as methodologies for postsynthesis functionalization. We further explore new challenges and directions for the field, such as the emergence of other rigid small ring hydrocarbons and heterocycles possessing unique substituent exit vectors.

Small-ring cage hydrocarbons are common bioisosteres for para-substituted benzene rings in drug design, exhibiting superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to the parent aromatics. In contrast, scaffolds mimicking meta-substituted arenes are lacking due to the challenge of synthesising saturated isosteres that accurately reproduce the substituent vectors of the corresponding arene. Here we report the use of [3.1.1]propellane as a convenient and scalable precursor to bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes (BCHeps), hydrocarbons whose bridgehead substituents map precisely onto the geometry of meta-substituted benzenes. This precursor undergoes a range of radical-based transformations to generate medicinally-relevant carbon- and heteroatom-substituted BCHeps, including BCHep pharmaceutical analogues. Comparison of ADME properties of the latter reveals improved metabolic stability relative to their parent drugs, validating the potential of this meta-arene analogue as an sp3-rich motif in drug design.

1,3‐Disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are important motifs in drug design as surrogates for p‐substituted arenes and alkynes. Access to all‐carbon disubstituted BCPs via cross‐coupling has to date been limited to use of the BCP as the organometallic component, which restricts scope due to the harsh conditions typically required for the synthesis of metallated BCPs. Here we report a general method to access 1,3‐C‐disubstituted BCPs from 1‐iodo‐bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (iodo‐BCPs) by direct iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling with aryl and heteroaryl Grignard reagents. This chemistry represents the first general use of iodo‐BCPs as electrophiles in cross‐coupling, and the first Kumada coupling of tertiary iodides. Benefiting from short reaction times, mild conditions, and broad scope of the coupling partners, it enables the synthesis of a wide range of 1,3‐C‐disubstituted BCPs including various drug analogues.

Bicyclic lactams may be prepared from serine or cysteine and 2-methylpropanal; the resulting S,N-heterocycles are more stable than the corresponding O,N-heterocycles but both are synthetic intermediates capable of further elaboration.

<p>The use of visible light to activate transition metal catalysts towards redox processes has transformed the way organic molecules can be constructed. Promotion of an electron to an excited state enables the generation of organic radicals through electron transfer to or from the metal complex, with the resulting radicals primed for reactions such as addition to carbon–carbon pi bonds. Despite advances in photoredox catalysis which have led to the discovery of numerous such methods for bond construction, this mild approach to the generation of free radicals has not been applied to the functionalisation of carbon–carbon sigma<i></i>bonds. Here we report the first such use of photoredox catalysis to promote the addition of organic halides to the caged carbocycle [1.1.1]propellane; the products of this process are bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs), motifs that are of high importance as bioisosteres in the pharmaceutical industry, and in materials applications. The methodology shows broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance, and is applicable to both <i>sp</i>²and <i>sp</i>³carbon–halogen bonds, while the use of substrates containing alkene acceptors enables the single-step construction of polycyclic bicyclopentane products through cyclisation cascades. Finally, the potential to accelerate drug discovery is demonstrated through examples of late-stage bicyclopentylation to access natural product- and drug-like molecules.</p>