Thiocyanoalkylation of alkenes via dual photoredox and copper catalysis

Organic thiocyanates are commonly used as essential organic synthesis intermediates and are widely present in various drug molecules and bioactive molecules. Herein, a copper- and photoredox-catalyzed thiocyanoalkylation reaction of terminal alkenes with NHPI esters and NH4SCN to access organic thiocyanates is described. This protocol employs the more readily accessible NHPI ester as a radical precursor under redox-neutral conditions. Moreover, the reaction exhibits high compatibility with diverse primary, secondary and tertiary NHPI esters. The late-stage modification of some drugs and structurally complex natural products enables the potential application in organic synthesis.