Visible Light-Induced Coupling Cyclization Reaction of α-Diazosulfonium Triflates with α-Oxocarboxylic Acids or Alkynes.

A photocatalyst-free radical cleavage of α-diazo sulfonium salts has been developed for the first time. The reaction provides an efficient method for the generation of diazomethyl radicals from α-diazosulfonium triflates under photochemical conditions. Utilizing the in situ generated diazomethyl radicals as key intermediate, the coupling cyclization reaction of α-diazosulfonium triflates with α-oxocarboxylic acids or alkynes has been achieved. The method affords a diverse set of important 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 3,5-disubstituted-1H-pyrazoles with excellent regioselectivity in a single step. A reaction mechanism involving a radical pathway was further supported by control experiments and DFT calculations.