Radical Bifunctionalization of Alkenes with Arylsulfonylacetate as Bifunctional Reagent via Photoredox Radical Addition/Smiles Rearrangement Cascade

We present herein a modular photoredox strategy for the difunctionalization of alkenes employing arylsulfonyl acetate as the bifunctional reagents. Under photoredox conditions, the electrophilic carbon-centered radical, generated from bifunctional reagent, add to alkenes followed by 1,4-aryltranlocation, providing a robust alternative to synthetic valuable γ,γ-diaryl and γ-aryl ester compounds. This method features mild reaction conditions, high atom- and step- economy, excellent functional group compatibility and great structural diversity. A complementary oxidative bifunctional reagents activation mode governs the radical cascade reactions, facilitating the simultaneous incorporation of aryl and carboxylate bearing alkyl groups into the alkenes.