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Updated: May 31, 2026
Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides (CHIPS)
Published on: June 20, 2014
Neutral Aqueous, Visible-Light-Accelerated Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Bond Activation/Cyclization Applicable to Peptide
Lixue Su1, Yue Zhang1, Wei Meng1
1Institute of Catalysis for Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, People's Republic of China.
None:
Conventional Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/cyclization of arenes with iodonium ylides typically requires organic solvents, increased temperatures, and a non-neutral reaction medium, which limits their compatibility with biologically relevant substrates. Herein, we disclose a visible-light-enabled Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/cyclization of amines with 1,3-diketones in neutral aqueous media, delivering tetrahydrocarbazolones, indoles, and indolinones with high selectivity. The transformation operates under ambient conditions using sunlight, eliminates the need for strong bases or organic solvents, and permits rapid and solid Rh(III) catalyst recycling. Importantly, the method tolerates peptide substrates and holds promise for late-stage functionalization under genuinely biocompatible conditions.
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