Ag(I)/Lewis Acid Cooperatively Promoted Three-Component Coupling for Carbo-Heterofunctionalization of Alkenes

A silver oxidant/Lewis acid catalyst cooperatively promoted three-component carbo-heterofunctionalization of alkenes is reported. A broad range of nucleophiles, including H2O, alcohols, and anilines, can combine with a variety of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds or analogues as radical precursors to realize difunctionalization of various styrene derivatives. Interestingly, mechanistic investigations demonstrate that the Ag(I) complex of bidentate phosphine ligand quickly oxidizes the radical intermediate generated from the addition of initial radical across alkene double bonds to form carbocation intermediates, which may be the reason behind the excellent yields and high selectivity of such reactions.

Automated summary

A silver oxidant/Lewis acid catalyst was used to promote a three-component carbo-heterofunctionalization reaction of alkenes. The reaction involved the addition of nucleophiles and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, resulting in the difunctionalization of styrene derivatives. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the silver complex oxidizes the radical intermediate, leading to the formation of carbocation intermediates and contributing to the high yields and selectivity of the reaction.