Substituted Allyl Diphenylphosphine Oxides as Radical Allylating Agents

Base-Promoted C-C Bond Activation Enables Radical Allylation with Homoallylic Alcohols

The C_α–C_β bond in homoallylic alcohols can be activated under basic conditions, qualifying these nonstrained acyclic systems as radical allylation reagents. This reactivity is exemplified by photoinitiated (with visible light and/or blue LEDs) allylation of perfluoroalkyl and alkyl radicals generated from perfluoroalkyl iodides and alkylpyridinium salts, respectively, with homoallylic alcohols. C-radical addition to the double bond of the title reagents and subsequent base-promoted homolytic C_α–C_β cleavage leads to the formation of the corresponding allylated products along with ketyl radicals that act as single electron reductants to sustain the chain reactions. Substrate scope is documented and the role of base in the C–C bond activation is studied by computation.

Access to 4-substituted isothiazoles through three-component cascade annulation and their application in C–H activation

The use of EtOCS₂k enabled the annulation of isopropene derivatives with NH₄I, affording various 4-substituted isothiazoles in good yields.

(Z)-Tetrahydrothiophene and (Z)-tetrahydrothiopyran synthesis through nucleophilic substitution and intramolecular cycloaddition of alkynyl halides and EtOCS2K

This protocol provides a novel, environmentally friendly and simple method for the synthesis of (Z)-tetrahydrothiophene derivatives using the nucleophilic thiyl radical intramolecular cycloaddition cascade process to construct C-S bonds under transition-metal-free conditions. This transformation process offers a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and excellent stereoselectivity (Z/E ratios up to 99/1). Moreover, the process uses odourless, stable and cheap EtOCS2K as the sulfur source.

Xanthate-mediated synthesis of (E)-alkenes by semi-hydrogenation of alkynes using water as the hydrogen donor

Semi-hydrogenation of alkynes is one of the most widely used methods for obtaining alkenes in laboratory preparation and in industry. Transition metal catalysts have been extensively studied for this transformation, but the tolerance of functional groups, such as pyridine, -OH, -NH2, -Bpin, and halides, and the toxicity of the trace amount of transition metal catalysts are still highly challenging. In this study, we report a general and robust strategy to achieve the semi-hydrogenation of alkynes using inexpensive and commercially available xanthate as the mediator. Mechanism studies support a non-radical process and H2O acts as the hydrogen donor.

Dearylation of arylphosphine oxides using a sodium hydride–iodide composite

A new protocol for the dearylative functionalization of arylphosphine oxides was developed using NaH in the presence of LiI.

Organic photoredox catalysis for the oxidation of silicates: applications in radical synthesis and dual catalysis

Metal free photooxidation of alkyl bis(catecholato)silicates with the organic dye 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyano-benzene (4CzIPN) allows the smooth formation of alkyl radicals.

Metal-free radical addition/cyclization of alkynoates with xanthates towards 3-(β-carbonyl)coumarins

The dilauroyl peroxide-promoted radical carboannulation of alkynoates with xanthates was developed, affording 4-aryl-3-(β-carbonyl) coumarins in moderate to good yields.

Allylic alcohols: ideal radical allylating agents?

Radical allylations represent effective routes to various alkenes, but to date they have relied chiefly on organostannane derivatives and still suffer from significant limitations with respect to the substitution pattern of the starting allylating agent. Indeed, while substituents at the β-position relative to the radical leaving group are well-tolerated, introduction of α-substituents induces a major complication due to the rapid and usually irreversible isomerization of the starting allylating agents. Although a number of research groups have made substantial efforts to develop heavy-metal-free radical allylations, methods compatible with α-substitution of the allylating agent are still scarce. Furthermore, quite a few systems are limited by the relative inaccessibility of the substrates. This Account summarizes our sustained efforts regarding the development of allylic alcohols into "ideal" radical allylating agents and presents published as well as some unpublished results. The systems we have developed combine the use of readily available xanthates and allylic alcohol derivatives under metal-free conditions to furnish not only alkenes but also aldehydes and saturated and unsaturated ketones through the virtually unprecedented homolytic cleavage of the normally strong C-O or C-C bond. The former route hinges on first converting the allylic alcohol into a 2-fluoro-6-pyridoxy derivative by reacting the corresponding alcoholate with 2,6-difluoropyridine, while the latter relies on attaching a cumyl group to the carbon bearing the free allylic alcohol. Either substrate is then exposed to the action of a suitable xanthate in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of a peroxide, usually lauroyl peroxide (DLP) in refluxing ethyl acetate or di-tert-butyl peroxide (TBHP) in refluxing chlorobenzene for the more difficult cases. Even though C-O or C-C bond homolysis leads to a stabilized 2-fluoro-6-pyridinyloxyl radical or a cumyl radical, respectively, the β-scission in both cases is relatively slow and at the lower limit of useful elementary radical steps. The kinetic barrier of the fragmentation can nevertheless be overcome because of the long relative lifetime of radicals generated by the degenerate transfer of the xanthate group, and this is a key element for success. This novel technology offers numerous advantages. The starting activated allylic alcohol derivatives are readily accessible in two steps from aldehydes or ketones. They can also be obtained by base-induced opening of epoxides. Numerous functional groups are tolerated under the mild reaction conditions for the radical addition-elimination, as nicely illustrated by over 150 examples of radical allylations, not all of which can be included in the present Account. In addition, substitution at both the α- and β-positions of the allylating agent is possible, a rare feature in this area.

TEMPO-mediated allylic C–H amination with hydrazones

TEMPO-mediated reactions of alkenyl hydrazones afforded azaheterocycles via sp³ C–H allylic amination. The transformation is featured by a sequence of remote allylic H-radical shift and allylic homolytic substitution with hydrazone radicals.

Some aspects of radical chemistry in the assembly of complex molecular architectures

This review article describes briefly some of the radical processes developed in the authors' laboratory as they pertain to the concise assembly of complex molecular scaffolds. The emphasis is placed on the use of nitrogen-centred radicals, on the degenerate addition-transfer of xanthates, especially on its potential for intermolecular carbon-carbon bond formation, and on the generation and capture of radicals through electron transfer processes.