Synthesis of Non-Classical Arylated C-Saccharides through Nickel/Photoredox Dual Catalysis

The development of synthetic tools to introduce saccharide derivatives into functionally complex molecules is of great interest, particularly in the field of drug discovery. Herein, we report a new route toward highly functionalized, arylated saccharides, which involves nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of photoredox-generated saccharyl radicals with a range of aryl- and heteroaryl bromides, triggered by an organic photocatalyst. In contrast to existing methods, the mild reaction conditions achieve arylation of saccharide motifs while leaving the anomeric carbon available, thus providing access to a class of arylated glycosides that has been underexplored until now. To demonstrate the potential of this strategy in late-stage functionalization, a variety of structurally complex molecules incorporating saccharide moieties were synthesized.