Light Illuminates Polarity-Mismatched Cycloaddition to Convert Isoquinoliniums into Phenylnaphthyl Sulfones

Organic Letters 2026

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Authors: Yunlong Qin, Yuanyuan Zeng, Weihan Wang, Congcong Zhang, Jianing Zhang, Zerong GUO, Yang Zhao, Qilin Wang
DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6c00194
Cited by: 11
References: 72

Abstract

A visible-light-driven skeletal editing strategy that converts readily available isoquinolinium salts into phenylnaphthyl sulfones via a formal CN-to-CC atom-pair swap is presented. The process is triggered by an isoquinolinium-carbonate electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex that, upon blue-light excitation, undergoes single-electron transfer to initiate a polarity-mismatched (4 + 2) radical annulation with alkynyl sulfones. The reaction proceeds at room temperature without external photocatalysts, tolerates diverse functional groups (including halides), and furnishes the targeted diarylsulfones with high efficiency.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Radical Photochemical Reactions Sulfur-Based Synthesis Techniques Catalytic C–H Functionalization Methods

Publication details

Journal / source
Organic Letters
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Volume
28
Issue
7
Pages
2505–2511
Publication date
6 February 2026
Language
EN