Radical Aza-Cyclization of α-Imino-oxy Acids for Synthesis of Alkene-Containing N-Heterocycles via Dual Cobaloxime and Photoredox Catalysis.

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are prevalent in both naturally and synthetically bioactive molecules. We report herein an unprecedented protocol for radical aza-cyclization of α-imino-oxy acids with pendant alkenes via synergistic photoredox and cobaloxime catalysis. With or without alkenes as the intermolecular cross-coupling partners, the transformation provides a variety of corresponding alkene-containing dihydropyrrole products in satisfactory yields. In the presence of external alkenes, the tandem reaction generates E-selective coupling products with excellent chemo- and stereoselectivity.