Palladium-catalyzed radical cascade cyanoalkylsulfonylation/cyclization of 3-arylethynyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carbonitriles with cyclobutanone oxime esters and DABSO

Abstract

A palladium-catalyzed radical cascade cyanoalkylsulfonylation/cyclization of 3-arylethynyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carbonitriles with DABCO·(SO₂)₂ and cyclobutanone oxime esters via cleavage of a C–C single bond and insertion of SO₂ was described. A series of cyanoalkylsulfone-containing cyclopenta[gh]phenanthridines were obtained in moderate-to-good yields, thus featuring mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and a high functional group tolerance.