Demethylenative cyclization of 1,7-enynes using α-amino radicals as a traceless initiator enabled by Cu(I)-photosensitizers.

A rare type of demethylenative intramolecular cyclization of 1,7-enynes to access quinoline-2-(1 H )-ones has been successfully developed under the catalysis of P/N-heteroleptic Cu(I)-photosensitizers. Preliminary mechanistic experiments revealed that the key to the success of this protocol lay in the α-amino radical addition-triggered tandem process of intramolecular radical cyclization/1,5-HAT/β-fragmentation. This protocol provides a new avenue for the deconstructive cyclization of alkene derivatives.