Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
![[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F59739.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst
Published on: May 21, 2019
Visible-Light-Enabled Ortho-Selective Aminopyridylation of Alkenes with N-Aminopyridinium Ylides
Yonghoon Moon1,2, Wooseok Lee1,2, Sungwoo Hong1,2
1Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
Abstract:
By utilizing an underexplored reactivity mode of N-aminopyridinium ylides, we developed the visible-light-induced ortho-selective aminopyridylation of alkenes via radical-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The photocatalyzed single-electron oxidation of N-aminopyridinium ylides generates the corresponding radical cations that enable previously inaccessible 1,3-cycloaddition with a broader range of alkene substrates. The resulting cycloaddition adducts rapidly undergo subsequent homolytic cleavage of the N-N bond, conferring a substantial thermodynamic driving force to yield various β-aminoethylpyridines. Remarkably, amino and pyridyl groups can be installed into both activated and unactivated alkenes with modular control of ortho-selectivity and 1,2-syn-diastereoselectivity under metal-free and mild conditions. Combined experimental and computational studies are conducted to clarify the detailed reaction mechanism and the origins of site selectivity and diastereoselectivity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
α-Alkylation of Ketones via Enolate Ions
Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkenes: Wittig Reaction Overview
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Preparation of 1° Amines: Azide Synthesis
Azide ions act as good nucleophiles and react with unhindered alkyl halides to form alkyl azides. Alkyl azides do not participate in further nucleophilic substitution reactions, thereby eliminating the chances of polyalkylated products. Alkyl azides are reduced by hydride-based reducing agents, like lithium aluminum...

