II-II Stacking Complex Induces Three-Component Coupling Reactions To Synthesize Functionalized Amines

pi-pi stacking and ion-pairing interactions induced the generation of a-amino radicals under the irradiation of visible light without the requirement of an expensive photocatalyst. This strategy enabled the construction of functionalized amines via three-component coupling reactions with broad scope (we report > 50 examples with an up to 90 % yield). This synthetic pathway also delivered complex functionalized amines with a very high yield. Quantum chemistry Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations identified pi-pi stacked ionic complexes; time-dependent DFT was employed to simulate the absorption spectra, and nudged elastic band (NEB) methodology provided a possible interaction/reaction picture of the selected species.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a synthetic method that generates α-amino radicals under visible light irradiation through pi-pi stacking and ion-pairing interactions, without the need for expensive photocatalysts. Using this strategy, functionalized amines can be constructed via three-component coupling reactions with yields up to 90%. Additionally, this method enables the synthesis of complex functionalized amines with high yields.