COF Photocatalyst

Mild one-step γ-lactam synthesis

This covalent organic framework acts as a heterogeneous photocatalyst that directly constructs functionalized γ-lactams via visible-light-driven cascade reactions, circumventing product instability and diastereoselectivity control issues.

Li, Jianguo · Zheng, Jiaxian · Wang, Liwei · Sa, Rongjian · Si, Chuanling · Jiang, Dong · Yamauchi, Yusuke · Yuan, Zhanhui

Nature Communications 2025

Advantages

Mild conditions

The reaction proceeds under visible light irradiation without harsh conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, or strong bases.

Broad substrate scope

A wide range of tryptamine-derived isocyanides and phosphine oxides react efficiently, and 3-(2-isocyanobenzyl)-indoles are also tolerated, affording tetrahydroquinolines.

Heterogeneous and recyclable

As a heterogeneous photocatalyst, it is easily separated from the reaction mixture and can be reused.

No additives needed

The reaction requires only substrates and the COF, without additional precious metals, ligands, or oxidants.

Applications

• Drug synthesis：γ-Lactams are core skeletons in many drugs; this method directly constructs such structures.
• Photocatalytic organic synthesis：Visible-light driven, avoiding limitations of traditional thermal chemistry or metal catalysts.
• COF catalysis：COF acts as a recyclable heterogeneous photocatalyst, expanding COF applications in organic synthesis.
• Bioactive molecule construction：The synthesized γ-lactams are bioactive and can be used to construct complex bioactive molecules.