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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

A Two-Step Protocol for Umpolung Functionalization of Ketones Via Enolonium Species
Published on: August 16, 2018
Cobalt-salen complexes/organic photoredox-cocatalyzed selective oxidative formylation of enaminones
Yaolian Shi1, Yuchen Gong1, Ganpeng Li1
1Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicinal Resources, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Natural Products Synthetic Biology of Ethnic Medicinal Endophytes, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, 650500, China. heyonghui@ymu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
A selective oxidation of enaminones to achieve formylation via cobalt-salen/photoredox-cocatalyzed synergy was developed, providing the corresponding formylation products in good yields under mild conditions. This photochemical synthetic strategy does not need to use peroxide as an oxidant, and hence is compatible with a wider range of oxidation-sensitive-group-containing substrates. Investigations indicated that the selective oxidation of the N-methyl group in enaminones by the [CoIII]-containing complex plays a vital role.
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