Synthesis of Biaryl Atropisomers via Site-Selective C-H Functionalization

Abstract

We describe an approach to form conformationally rigid atropisomers with a variety of nucleophiles not commonly applicable to transition-metal-catalyzed methods. The use of organic photoredox catalysis renders this method operationally simple, as direct substrate oxidation followed by nucleophilic attack may furnish the products via site-selective C-H functionalization in moderate to quantitative yields. Density functional theory (DFT) computations estimated the rotational barriers and half-lives of the products.