Visible-Light-Mediated Three-Component Alkene 1,2-Alkylpyridylation Reaction Using Alkylboronic Acids as Radical Precursors for the Synthesis of 4‑Alkylpyridines

We report the photocatalyzed three-component alkene 1,2-alkylpyridylation
reaction between alkylboronic acids, 4-cyanopyridine, and an olefin
to achieve the pyridination and alkylation of the olefin and the synthesis
of structurally diversified 4-alkylpyridines. The readily available
and easily manipulated alkylboronic acids were used as alkyl radical
precursors. The reactions take place under mild conditions with a
broad substrate scope and are easy to scale up to gram level, and
they are therefore of potential practical value for the synthesis
and structural modification of biologically active alkylpyridine derivatives.