Visible-Light-Induced Intramolecular C(sp2)-H Amination and Aziridination of Azidoformates via a Triplet Nitrene Pathway

Catalytic intramolecular C-H amination and aziridination reactions of o-allylphenyl azidoformates have been achieved under visible-light irradiation, providing a mild, clean, and efficient method for the synthesis of useful benzoxazolones and [5.1.0] bicyclic aziridines. Mechanistic studies suggest that a triplet nitrene acts as the reactive intermediate. The chemoselectivity of the reaction, with alkyl olefin aziridination >> electron deficient olefin aziridination approximate to C(sp(2))-H arnination >> C(sp(3))-H amination was observed, which may be instructive in the development of an understanding of visible-light-induced triplet nitrene transformation reactions.