Photosensitized Intermolecular Carboimination of Alkenes through the Persistent Radical Effect

An intermolecular, two‐component vicinal carboimination of alkenes has been accomplished by energy transfer catalysis. Oxime esters of alkyl carboxylic acids were used as bifunctional reagents to generate both alkyl and iminyl radicals. Subsequently, addition of the alkyl radical to an alkene generates a transient radical for selective radical–radical cross‐coupling with the persistent iminyl radical. Furthermore, this process provides direct access to aliphatic primary amines and α‐amino acids by simple hydrolysis.     

Photoreactions of radicals during polyolefin photooxidation

Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) peroxy radicals undergo photoreactions, but under commonly encountered photodegradation conditions these reaction rates are much lower than those of conventional radical reactions; for example, for PP peroxy radicals in noon summer sunlight at 25°C their rate of photolysis to alkyl radicals is less than one-tenth of their rate of hydrogen abstraction from the polymer. At lower temperatures( < ?10°C) or when more intense radiation is used, however, peroxy radical photolysis becomes a proportionately more important source of alkyl radicals. In addition, occurrence of photoinduced radical combination is confirmed but is shown to be important only when photolysis generates an alkyl radical sufficiently close to a peroxy radical that termination can occur before oxygen reconverts the alkyl radical to a peroxy radical. This termination mechanism therefore becomes more important for radicals generated at lower temperatures when the average separation of a radical pair is lower.     

Radical addition of alkyl halides to formaldehyde in the presence of cyanoborohydride as a radical mediator. A new protocol for hydroxymethylation reaction

Hydroxymethylation of alkyl halides was achieved using paraformaldehyde as a radical C1 synthon in the presence of tetrabutylammonium cyanoborohydride as a hydrogen source. The reaction proceeds via a radical chain mechanism involving an alkyl radical addition to formaldehyde to form an alkoxy radical, which abstracts hydrogen from a hydroborate anion.     

Rate constant estimation for C1 to C4 alkyl and alkoxyl radical decomposition

Rate coefficients for alkyl and alkoxy radical decomposition are important in combustion, biological, and atmospheric processes. In this paper, rate constant expressions for C₁? C₄ alkyl and alkoxy radicals decomposition via β‐scission are recommended based on the reverse, exothermic reaction, the addition of a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical to an olefin or carbonyl species with the decomposition reaction calculated using microscopic reversibility. The rate expressions have been estimated based on a wide‐range study of available experimental data. Rate coefficients for hydrogen atom and alkyl radical addition to an olefin show a strong temperature curvature. In addition, it is found that there is a correlation between the activation energy for addition and (i) the type of atom undergoing addition and (ii) whether this radical adds to the internal or terminal carbon atom of the olefin. Rate coefficients for alkoxy radical decomposition show a strong correlation to the ionization potential of the alkyl radical leaving group and on the enthalpy of reaction. It is shown that the activation energy for alkyl radical addition to a carbonyl species can be estimated as a function of the alkyl radical ionization potential and enthalpy of reaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 250–275, 2006     

Deacylative Carbon-Carbon Bond Cleavage of Ketone Equivalents: Applications to Radical Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation Reactions

This article describes the synthetic application of ketone-derived oxaziridines as alkyl radical precursors in copper-catalyzed Carbon-Carbon bond formation reactions. Experimental and computational studies indicate a free radical mechanism, where alkyl radicals are efficiently generated via cleavage of a Carbon-Carbon bond of oxaziridines. Acyclic and unstrained cyclic oxaziridines are applicable to the present radical process, allowing for the generation of various alkyl radicals with good functional group compatibility.     

Radical Addition and Substitution Reactions of (η6-Arene)-tricarbonylmetal Complexes

We report here the first alkyl radical additions of (η6-arene)tricarbonylmanganese complexes in the presence of alkylmercury chloride and NaI (Eq. 1). The mechanism was postulated to be the alkyl radical addition to ArMn- (CO)+3 cation to form the corresponding 17 valence electron intermediate, which was then reduced by alkylmercury chloride via a single electron transfer process to afford the product and regenerate an alkyl radical. [1]     

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with allylic and benzylic Grignard reagents and their application to tandem radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions

Details of cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with allylic Grignard reagents are disclosed. A combination of cobalt(II) chloride and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DPPE) or 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) is suitable as a precatalyst and allows secondary and tertiary alkyl halides--as well as primary ones--to be employed as coupling partners for allyl Grignard reagents. The reaction offers a facile synthesis of quaternary carbon centers, which has practically never been possible with palladium, nickel, and copper catalysts. Benzyl, methallyl, and crotyl Grignard reagents can all couple with alkyl halides. The benzylation definitely requires DPPE or DPPP as a ligand. The reaction mechanism should include the generation of an alkyl radical from the parent alkyl halide. The mechanism can be interpreted in terms of a tandem radical cyclization/cross-coupling reaction. In addition, serendipitous tandem radical cyclization/cyclopropanation/carbonyl allylation of 5-alkoxy-6-halo-4-oxa-1-hexene derivatives is also described. The intermediacy of a carbon-centered radical results in the loss of the original stereochemistry of the parent alkyl halides, creating the potential for asymmetric cross-coupling of racemic alkyl halides.     

烷烃中碳氢键离解能的估算及其应用

将烷烃中的C－H键看成氢原子H与烷基Ri相连接而成的Ri－H键，以烷基的 HOMO能级和氢原子的轨道能来关联Ri－H键的离解能BDE。研究表明，烷烃分子中 Ri－H键的离能BDE与烷基Ri的极化效应指数PEI（Ri）有良好的线性关系：BDE＝ c+dPEI(Ri)。所得方程具有良好的估算精度。烷基Ri极化效应指数PEI（Ri）在羟 基自由基与烷烃反应速度常数的定量相关中，也得到良好的应用。     

Intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution of alkyl 2-benzimidazolyl sulfones as a means of entry into alkyl radicals for organic synthesis

The intramolecular radical aromatic substitution of heteroaryl sulfones by tethered aryl radicals has been investigated as a source of alkyl radicals. The 1-(2-iodobenzyl)benzimidazole-2-sulfonyl system was found to be the most effective, while a tetrazole-based system did not undergo the desired radical aromatic substitution at all. Application of the benzimidazole-based system to the generation of alkyl radical and their subsequent use in radical cyclizations was demonstrated.     

Zirconocene-catalyzed alkylative dimerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dithiane via a single electron transfer process to provide symmetrical vic-bis(dithiane)s

A mixture of tertiary alkyl halide and 2-methylene-1,3-dithiane was treated with butylmagnesium bromide in the presence of a catalytic amount of zirconocene dichloride. The reaction resulted in alkylative dimerization to yield the corresponding vic-bis(dithiane). The reaction would proceed as follows. A single electron transfer from low-valent zirconocene to alkyl halide would generate the corresponding alkyl radical. The radical adds to 2-methylene-1,3-dithiane to afford the corresponding radical stabilized by the two sulfur atoms. A couple of the stable radicals finally undergo dimerization.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Carboetherification of Unactivated Alkenes by Alkyl Nitriles and Alcohols

A three‐component carboetherification of unactivated alkenes has been developed allowing the rapid building of complexity from simple starting materials. A wide range of α‐substituted styrenes underwent smooth reactions with unactivated alkyl nitriles and alcohols to afford γ‐alkoxy alkyl nitriles with concomitant generation of a quaternary carbon center. A radical clock experiment provided clear‐cut evidence that the reaction proceeds through a tertiary alkyl radical intermediate.     

Evidence for single electron transfer in the reaction of a lithium enolate with a primary alkyl iodide

Evidence for a radical process in the reaction of the lithium enolate of propiophenone with a primary alkyl iodide was obtained by the observation of cyclization of an appropriate radical probe, by the trapping of the radical intermediate and by the comparison of the relative rates of reactions of the probe alkyl iodide with the corresponding bromide and tosylate.     

The Impact of Resonance Stabilization on the Intramolecular Hydrogen‐Atom Shift Reactions of Hydrocarbon Radicals

A series of intramolecular H‐atom shift reactions of both alkenyl and allylic radicals were investigated by using CBS‐QB3 electronic structure calculations. In the first set of reactions, an alkyl radical site was converted into an allylic radical site. In the second set, an allylic radical was converted into another allylic radical. The results are discussed in the context of a Benson‐type model to examine the impact of the transition‐state partial resonance stabilization on both the activation energies and the pre‐exponential factors. In most cases, the differences in the activation energies relative to those for the analogous alkyl radicals are primarily due to the barriers of the bimolecular reaction component of the activation energy. For the first set of reactions, there is additional entropy loss relative to the alkyl radical analogues. This additional loss of entropy may be smaller than some previous estimates. The pre‐exponential factors for the second set of reactions are generally similar to those of the analogous alkyl radical reactions (once the double bond in the transition state is accounted for).     

Access to Trifluoromethylketones from Alkyl Bromides and Trifluoroacetic Anhydride by Photocatalysis

Aliphatic trifluoromethyl ketones are a type of unique fluorine-containing subunit which play a significant role in altering the physical and biological properties of molecules. Catalytic methods to provide direct access to aliphatic trifluoromethyl ketones are highly desirable yet remain underdeveloped, partially owing to the high reactivity and instability of trifluoroacetyl radical. Herein, we report a photocatalytic synthesis of trifluoromethyl ketones from alkyl bromides with trifluoroacetic anhydride. The reaction features dual visible-light and halogen-atom-transfer catalysis, followed by an enabling radical-radical cross-coupling of an alkyl radical with a stabilized trifluoromethyl radical. The reaction provides straightforward access to aliphatic trifluoromethyl ketones from readily available and cost-effective alkyl halides and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA).     

Synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles using exo- and endo-selective radical cyclizations onto enamides

The effect of positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides on Bu₃SnH-mediated alkyl radical cyclization leading to five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles was examined. A 5-exo cyclization is generally preferred over a 6-endo ring closure in systems having an alkyl radical center on the enamide-acyl side chain, whereas enamides having an alkyl radical center opposite to the acyl side chain predominantly gave 6-endo cyclization products. These results suggest that the exo or endo selectivity of radical cyclization onto the alkenic bond of enamides can be controlled by positional change of the carbonyl group. For an understanding of these selectivities, heat of formation for each transition state was calculated. 6-endo-Selective radical cyclization was applied to the radical cascade, enabling a concise synthesis of a cylindricine skeleton. A 7- or 8-endo alkyl radical cyclization, however, predominated over a corresponding 6- or 7-exo ring closure regardless of the positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides.     

Cobalt-mediated cross-coupling reactions of primary and secondary alkyl halides with 1-(trimethylsilyl)ethenyl- and 2-trimethylsilylethynylmagnesium reagents

[reaction: see text] This paper describes cobalt-mediated cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with 1-(trimethylsilyl)ethenylmagnesium bromide and 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynylmagnesium bromide, respectively. The cobalt system allows for employing secondary as well as primary alkyl halides as the substrates. The reactions offer facile formations of alkyl-alkenyl and alkyl-alkynyl bonds. The reaction mechanism would include single-electron transfer from a cobalt complex to alkyl halide to generate the corresponding alkyl radical. The cobalt system thus enables sequential radical cyclization/alkenylation and cyclization/alkynylation reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives.     

Mild and Low‐Pressure fac‐Ir(ppy)3‐Mediated Radical Aminocarbonylation of Unactivated Alkyl Iodides through Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

A novel, mild and facile preparation of alkyl amides from unactivated alkyl iodides employing a fac‐Ir(ppy)₃‐catalyzed radical aminocarbonylation protocol has been developed. Using a two‐chambered system, alkyl iodides, fac‐Ir(ppy)₃, amines, reductants, and CO gas (released ex situ from Mo(CO)₆), were combined and subjected to an initial radical reductive dehalogenation generating alkyl radicals, and a subsequent aminocarbonylation with amines affording a wide range of alkyl amides in moderate to excellent yields.     

Radical addition to "cation pool". Reverse process of radical cation fragmentation

The reaction of an N-acyliminium ion with an alkyl iodide and hexabutyldistannane took place to give the alkylation product. A mechanism involving the addition of an alkyl radical to an N-acyliminium ion to produce the corresponding radical cation has been suggested.     

铜催化苯甲酰胺与烷基偶氮试剂环化合成含α-取代季碳中心异喹啉二酮

发展了一种苯甲酰胺自由基自由基环化制备α-官能化叔烷基取代的异喹啉二酮的新反应。此环化反应以偶氮试剂为α-取代叔烷基自由基源物质,利用碘化亚铜/空气体系催化N-烷基-N-甲基丙烯酰基苯甲酰胺发生环化,经过串联自由基加成/环化/碳-碳键形成过程,一步构建了三重碳-碳键,以41%~71%的产率合成了一系列异喹啉二酮及其衍生物。特别值得提出得是,此研究发展了一种新型α-官能叔烷基自由基源物质,发现了一种同时引入两个α-官能叔烷基片段的串联新反应。反应底物适应范围广,反应高效,催化体系廉价实用,为具有潜在药用价值的含α-取代季碳中心的异喹啉二酮及衍生物的合成提供了一条廉价、简单、快捷的新途径。     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Radical Coupling of Aldehydes with Redox‐Active Esters

N‐Heterocyclic carbene catalyzed radical reactions are challenging and underdeveloped. In a recent study, Ohmiya, Nagao and co‐workers found that aldehyde carbonyl carbon centers can be coupled with alkyl radicals under NHC catalysis. An elegant aspect of this study is the use of a redox‐active carboxylic ester that behaves as an single‐electron oxidant to convert the Breslow intermediate into a radical adduct and concurrently release an alkyl radical intermediate as a reaction partner.