Photoredox‐Catalyzed Cyclopropane Ring‐Opening: A Metal‐Free and Sustainable Strategy

ABSTRACT

Cyclopropanes are known for their significant torsional and angular strain, which endows them with unique reactivity profiles, making them valuable intermediates in organic synthesis. The emergence of photoredox catalysis as a powerful, eco‐friendly, and mild alternative to traditional ring‐opening reactions of cyclopropanes marks a significant advancement in the field. The development of organic photoredox catalysts has enabled researchers to move beyond metal‐based photocatalysts, fostering a more sustainable approach to these transformations. Harnessing visible light to facilitate the ring‐opening of cyclopropane derivatives through metal‐free photoredox catalysis allows for an efficient generation of open‐chain or functionalized intermediates under mild conditions, which is particularly beneficial for the synthesis of complex molecular architectures. This review provides an overview of the capabilities and breakthroughs in metal‐free, visible‐light‐enabled photoredox catalysis for the ring‐opening transformation of cyclopropanes.