Densely-functionalized bicyclic cyclopentanones by combined photoinduced 6-endo-trig Giese additions and mild aldol cyclizations

Abstract

Polycyclic scaffolds are central to numerous natural products and pharmaceuticals, motivating concise, stereocontrolled routes to their construction. We report a photoredox-enabled synthesis of trans-fused [n.3.0] bicyclic ketones (n = 4, 5, 10) from malonate-derived enol ethers. α-Brominated intermediates, formed by acylation with 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoyl bromide, undergo radical cyclization under two complementary conditions: (i) acridinium orange (AOH⁺) with Hantzsch ester (HE) at 455 nm, or (ii) photoexcited HE alone at 365 nm. Both modes trigger 6-endo-trig Giese addition, C–O bond fragmentation, and hydrogen-atom transfer to α-branched cyclic ketones that ring-close under mild Brønsted or Lewis acid activation to trans-fused products with exclusive junction control. Mechanistic studies (Stern–Volmer, UV–Vis, electrochemistry) support two activation pathways—AOH⁺* quenching by HE or direct HE excitation—each generating the same radical intermediates in fine. DFT calculations validate mechanistic pathways and regioselectivity in favor of philicity matching of the electrophilic radical and the polar electron-rich enol ether. The method accommodates ring-size diversity, accesses trans-hydrindanone architectures, and outcompetes 5-exo-trig spirocyclization.