Visible-light-mediated three-component Minisci reaction for heteroarylethyl alcohols synthesis

Methods for heteroarylethyl alcohol synthesis are critical to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Herein, we report a mild, modular, practical Minisci reaction for catalytic synthesis of heteroarylethyl alcohols via sequential addition of H2O and N-heteroarenes across olefinic double bonds. This scalable protocol was used for direct hydroxy-heteroarylation of olefins with a wide range of N-heteroarenes and can be expected to permit rapid conversion of abundant feedstock materials into medically relevant molecules.

Automated summary

The described Minisci reaction allows for the catalytic synthesis of heteroarylethyl alcohols by sequentially adding H2O and N-heteroarenes across olefinic double bonds. This scalable protocol enables direct hydroxy-heteroarylation of olefins with a wide range of N-heteroarenes and has the potential to rapidly convert abundant feedstock materials into medically relevant molecules.