New method for bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane ketones synthesis

Since the 1990s, medicinal chemistry research has demonstrated that replacing benzene rings with bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane derivatives enhances drug properties such as solubility and metabolic stability while also circumventing patent restrictions. Notably, in 2009, Frank Lovering introduced the "escape from planarity" concept, which has gained momentum as research explores substituting planar aromatic hydrocarbons with three-dimensional cyclo[n.1.1]alkanes.

Benzoyl groups are prevalent in pharmaceuticals, making the replacement of benzene rings with bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane an intriguing area of study. However, existing synthetic methods often required high temperatures, metal catalysts or hazardous reagents.

In a new study, a team of researchers in China employed tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as a hydrogen transfer agent under blue light to activate aldehyde hydrogen bonds, generating acyl radicals that react with spiral alkanes to form bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-ketones (BCP-ketones).

“This mild, metal-free method proceeds at room temperature with moderate to high yields and tolerates oxidation-sensitive groups such as amino, methylthio, and ferrocene (2m, 2k, 2u),” shares Fener Chen, senior and corresponding author of the study. “In particular, we synthesized a molecule being incorporated of two BCP rings for the first time (2z).”

Mechanistic studies confirmed that reducing TBHP to catalytic amounts halted the reaction, indicating its stoichiometric consumption. High-resolution mass spectrometry and radical trapping experiments further supported the involvement of acyl radicals, validating a radical-based mechanism.

“In summary, we developed a one-step visible light-induced approach for the synthesis of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-ketone, characterized by mild reaction temperature and excellent tolerance to oxidation-labile substituents, delivering all products in moderate to high yields,” adds Chen.

Contact author details: Chenguang Liu,Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China, liuchenguang@fzu.edu.cn

Funder: This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 22208056), and Major Program of Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory (No. 00122001) 

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. 

See the article: Chenguang Liu, et al., Visible light induced synthesis of the Benzoyl bioisosteres: bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-ketone group, Green Synthesis and Catalysis, Volume , Issue , 2025, Pages -, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gresc.2025.03.003