Visible light-promoted synthesis of 4,6a-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,3(2H,3aH)-diones via [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2H-azirines with maleimides

Abstract

A visible light-induced diastereoselective synthesis of 4,6a-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,3(2H,3aH)-diones using 2H-azirines and maleimides in the presence of an organic photocatalyst is reported. The method is efficient and environmentally friendly, and proceeds with good functional group tolerance and substrate scope. Applications of the cycloaddition products were demonstrated by performing simple synthetic transformations.