Neutral photogenerated N-centred radicals as a general, catalytic direct hydrogen atom transfer platform for aliphatic C–H functionalization
7 affiliations
- 1Institute of Organic Chemistry , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- 2Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Plant Resources , Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Eco-Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Institute of Botany , Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences , Nanjing , China
- 3Flow Chemistry Group, Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- 4Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- 5Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- 6Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
- 7Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Abstract
The introduction of diverse functionalities into omnipresent aliphatic C–H bonds is of notable value yet challenging in catalysis. While hydrogen atom transfer has emerged as a premier strategy, existing protocols frequently rely on O-centred radicals either generated from hazardous stoichiometric peroxides or within photocatalysts that are promiscuous in their excited state reactivity and non-conducive to structural tuning around the reactive centre. Here we disclose a general platform of readily prepared 9-arylacridine catalysts—a class of neutral, N-centred photocatalysts—that mediate aliphatic C–H bond hydrogen atom transfer under mild conditions. This strategy enables efficient generation of alkyl radicals, allowing various functionalizations ranging from activated substrates to gaseous ethane. The platform features broad substrate scope, scalability and compatibility with transition metal catalysis as well as multicomponent reactions. Its utility is demonstrated in the streamlined synthesis of pharmaceutical synthons and late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules. Detailed mechanistic studies highlight the crucial role of ortho -substituents on the 9-aryl moiety of catalysts, providing a rational basis for catalyst design.
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BibTeX
@article{feng2026neutral,
title = {{Neutral photogenerated N-centred radicals as a general, catalytic direct hydrogen atom transfer platform for aliphatic C–H functionalization}},
author = {Boya Feng and Mattia Lepori and Michał Domański and Soňa Boháčová and Daniel Bím and Lucie Ludvíková and Tomáš Slanina and Prakash C. Tiwari and Guodong Zhang and Luigi Dolcini and Timothy Noël and Joshua P. Barham},
journal = {Nature Catalysis},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1038/s41929-026-01539-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01539-2},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Neutral photogenerated N-centred radicals as a general, catalytic direct hydrogen atom transfer platform for aliphatic C–H functionalization
AU - Boya Feng
AU - Mattia Lepori
AU - Michał Domański
AU - Soňa Boháčová
AU - Daniel Bím
AU - Lucie Ludvíková
AU - Tomáš Slanina
AU - Prakash C. Tiwari
AU - Guodong Zhang
AU - Luigi Dolcini
AU - Timothy Noël
AU - Joshua P. Barham
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/09
JO - Nature Catalysis
DO - 10.1038/s41929-026-01539-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01539-2
AB - The introduction of diverse functionalities into omnipresent aliphatic C–H bonds is of notable value yet challenging in catalysis. While hydrogen atom transfer has emerged as a premier strategy, existing protocols frequently rely on O-centred radicals either generated from hazardous stoichiometric peroxides or within photocatalysts that are promiscuous in their excited state reactivity and non-conducive to structural tuning around the reactive centre. Here we disclose a general platform of readily prepared 9-arylacridine catalysts—a class of neutral, N-centred photocatalysts—that mediate aliphatic C–H bond hydrogen atom transfer under mild conditions. This strategy enables efficient generation of alkyl radicals, allowing various functionalizations ranging from activated substrates to gaseous ethane. The platform features broad substrate scope, scalability and compatibility with transition metal catalysis as well as multicomponent reactions. Its utility is demonstrated in the streamlined synthesis of pharmaceutical synthons and late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules. Detailed mechanistic studies highlight the crucial role of ortho -substituents on the 9-aryl moiety of catalysts, providing a rational basis for catalyst design.
SN - 2520-1158
ER -