Photoinduced Chloroamination Cyclization Cascade with N‑Chlorosuccinimide: From N‑(Allenyl)sulfonylamides to 2‑(1-Chlorovinyl)pyrrolidines

Here, we present an intriguing photoinduced chloroamination cyclization of allenes bearing a tethered sulfonylamido group to afford 2-(1-chlorovinyl)­pyrrolidines and related heterocycles in the presence of N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) as the chlorine source. An in depth experimental and computational mechanistic study revealed the existence of multiple reaction pathways leading to a common nitrogen centered radical (NCR). This key NCR can be, in fact, originated from (a) the oxidation of the deprotonated allene by the photoexcited state of the Ru-catalyst and (b) the photodissociation of the in situ formed N-chloroallene. The NCR formation triggers an intramolecular cyclization to a highly reactive pyrrolidine vinyl radical, which upon chlorination delivers the final product. Thus, NCS plays a dual role, serving both as an activator of the sulfonamido functionality and as the chlorinating agent.