DPPF-Catalyzed Atom-Transfer Radical Cyclization via Allylic Radical

Radical Cyclization-Initiated Difunctionalization Reactions of Alkenes and Alkynes

Radical reactions are powerful in the synthesis of diverse molecular scaffolds bearing functional groups. In previous review articles, we have presented 1,2-difunctionalizations, remote 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,5-, 1,6- and 1,7-difunctionalizations, and addition followed by cyclization reactions. Presented in this paper is radical cyclization followed by the second functionalization reaction. The second functionalization could be realized by atom transfer reactions, radical or transition metal-assisted coupling reactions, and reactions with neutral molecules, cationic and anionic species.

Aggregation‐enabled alkene insertion into carbon–halogen bonds

Molecular aggregation affects the electronic interactions between molecules and has emerged as a powerful tool in material science. Aggregate effect finds wide applications in the research of new physical phenomena; however, its value for chemical reaction development has been far less explored. Herein, we report the development of aggregation‐enabled alkene insertion into carbon–halogen bonds. The spontaneous cleavage of C–X (X = Cl, Br, or I) bonds generates an intimate ion pair, which can be quickly captured by alkenes in an aggregated state. Additional catalysts or promoters are not necessary under such circumstances, and solvent quenching experiments indicate that the aggregated state is critical for achieving such sequences. The ionic insertion mode is supported by mechanistic studies, density functional theory calculations, and symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory analysis. Results also show that the non‐aggregated state may quench the transition state and terminate the insertion process.

Synthesis of Tetrahydroazepines through Silyl Aza-Prins Cyclization Mediated by Iron(III) Salts

A new methodology for the synthesis of seven-membered unsaturated azacycles (tetrahydroazepines) was developed. It is based on the powerful aza-Prins cyclization in combination with the Peterson-type elimination reaction. In a single reaction step, a C–N, C–C bond and an endocyclic double bond are formed. Under mild reaction conditions and using iron(III) salts as sustainable catalysts, tetrahydroazepines with different degrees of substitution are obtained directly and efficiently. DFT calculations supported the proposed mechanism.

Electrochemical Activation of the C-X Bond on Demand: Access to the Atom Economic Group Transfer Reaction Triggered by Noncovalent Interaction

An atom economic method demonstrates the involvement of noncovalent interaction via hydrogen or halogen bonding interaction in triggering paired electrolysis for the group transfer reactions. Specifically, this method demonstrated the bromination of several aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds through the activation of the C(sp³)-Br bond of organic-bromo derivatives on demand. This electrochemical protocol is mild, and mostly no additional electrolyte is needed, which makes the workup process straightforward. Unlike the existing regioselective monobromination methods, this work utilizes a relatively small amount (1.2 equiv) of bromine surrogates that releases bromine on demand under the electrochemical condition and after completion of the reaction generates acetophenone as a useful byproduct. Green metrics indicate this protocol has a very good atom efficiency with an E-factor of 26.86 kg of waste/1 kg of product. In addition to the scale-up process, this strategy could be extended to the transfer of chlorine and thioaryl units. An extensive mechanistic study is accomplished to validate the hypothesis of noncovalent interaction using computational, spectroscopic, and cyclic voltammetry studies. Finally, the applicability of this newly developed nonbonding interaction to trigger paired electrolysis was extended to the chemoselective debromination of several dihalo organic compounds.

The Persistent Radical Effect in Organic Synthesis

Radical-radical couplings are mostly nearly diffusion-controlled processes. Therefore, the selective cross-coupling of two different radicals is challenging and not a synthetically valuable transformation. However, if the radicals have different lifetimes and if they are generated at equal rates, cross-coupling will become the dominant process. This high cross-selectivity is based on a kinetic phenomenon called the persistent radical effect (PRE). In this Review, an explanation of the PRE supported by simulations of simple model systems is provided. Radical stabilities are discussed within the context of their lifetimes, and various examples of PRE-mediated radical-radical couplings in synthesis are summarized. It is shown that the PRE is not restricted to the coupling of a persistent with a transient radical. If one coupling partner is longer-lived than the other transient radical, the PRE operates and high cross-selectivity is achieved. This important point expands the scope of PRE-mediated radical chemistry. The Review is divided into two parts, namely 1) the coupling of persistent or longer-lived organic radicals and 2) "radical-metal crossover reactions"; here, metal-centered radical species and more generally longer-lived transition-metal complexes that are able to react with radicals are discussed-a field that has flourished recently.