In the realm of metallaphotocatalytic C-H activation strategy, the mode of reaction which has been mostly explored is the synergistic effect between a photocatalyst (PC) and a transition metal. In these cases, the energy and redox transfer from the PC to transition metal modulates the oxidation state which brings new mechanistic paradigms in C-H activation and enables prior elusive transformations under milder conditions. Another mode of reactivity occurs via the direct excitation of the transition metal which plays the dual role of light energy harnessing alongside performing the bond breaking and forming. This mode is advantageous because it would not require any exogenous PC, however such reactivity by transition metals is rare in literature. In this context we have developed the rst photo-induced Rh-catalyzed orthoalkynylation under ambient conditions without the requirement of silver salt, PC or any engineered substrate or catalyst. The transformation functions by the speci c cooperative effect of a six-membered rhodacycle which is the photo-responsive species. The catalytic system allows the conjugation of arenes with sp3-rich pharmacophoric fragments. The control experiments as well as the computational studies resolve the mechanistic intricacies for this transformation. An outer sphere electron transfer process from Rh to alkynyl radical is operative for the present photo-induced transformation over the more common oxidative addition or 1,2-migratory insertion pathways.
Main TextThe C-H activation strategy gives the provision to streamline the overall process toward a target molecule; thereby empowering the genre of organic synthesis. 1 However, it is a general convention that for a thermally induced C-H activation, a transition metal catalyst is usually accompanied with stoichiometric silver or copper oxidants. 2 This questions the practicality of the method. In order to harness the applicability in true terms it is required to utilize an alternative energy resource that would provide the same outcome but in a sustainable manner. 3 This is where the merger of transition metal catalysis and photocatalysis ts in aptly. The metallaphotocatalysis is an expanding domain in organic synthesis that has revisited and recreated the traditional modes of transition metal catalyzed reactions via unorthodox open-shell mechanisms. 4 The metallaphotocatalysis functions by leveraging on the modulated oxidation state of metal complex involved or generating excited form of intermediate catalytic species; which accounts for the key organometallic step of the transformation. 5 Thus, metallaphotocatalysis provides access to unique reactivity modes through entirely new mechanistic paradigms, that complements the conventional mechanistic approach in the realm of transition metal catalysis. The rede ned mechanistic features enabled by metallaphotocatalysis allow the accomplishment of prior elusive transformations.In general, the metallaphotocatalysis operates by two distinct modes. The rst mode constitutes of the synergistic coo...