Visible-Light Photoredox-Catalyzed Formal [5+1] Cycloaddition of N-Tosyl Vinylaziridines with Difluoroalkyl Halides

A visible-light photoredox-catalyzed formal [5 + 1] cycloaddition of N-tosyl vinylaziridines with difluoroalkyl halides as unique C1 synthons was developed. The procedure provides an efficient and practical method to synthesize diverse pyridines in moderate to good yields. The reaction underwent a radical-initiated kinetically controlled ring-opening of vinylaziridines and involved a key alpha,beta-unsaturated imine intermediate, followed by an E2 elimination, a 6 pi electrocyclization, and defluorinated aromatization.