Green-Light-Induced Cyclopropanation of Alkenes via Cooperative NHN/Ligated Boryl Radical Activation of Dichloromethane

Organic Letters 2026

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Authors: Chang-Zhen Fang, Hong Liu, Zihao Xia, HW Kong, Yan Zhang, Qiang Liu, You-Feng Han, Zhixiang Wang, Xiang-Yu Chen
DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6c00039
Cited by: 7
References: 80

Abstract

Ligated boryl radicals (LBRs), generated from Lewis base-coordinated boranes, have emerged as powerful tools capable of halogen-atom transfer (XAT) processes. Nevertheless, metal-free LBR-enabled radical chemistry remains largely confined to radical additions or cascade pathways. Herein, we report a green-light-induced cyclopropanation of alkenes using dichloromethane (DCM) as a C1 synthon, enabled by the synergistic action of N-heterocyclic nitrenium (NHN) catalysts and LBRs. This work demonstrates a transition-metal-free cyclopropanation of alkenes with DCM, further highlighting the synthetic potential of the NHN/LBR cooperative strategy.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Radical Photochemical Reactions Organoboron and organosilicon chemistry Catalytic C–H Functionalization Methods

Publication details

Journal / source
Organic Letters
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Volume
28
Issue
5
Pages
1893–1898
Publication date
23 January 2026
Language
EN