Radical/Polar Annulation Reactions (RPARs) Enable the Modular Construction of Cyclopropanes

Org Lett. 2018 Nov 2;20(21):6840-6844. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b02968. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Abstract

An annulation process for the construction of 1,1-disubstituted cyclopropanes via a radical/polar crossover process is described. The cyclopropanation proceeds by the addition of a photocatalytically generated radical to a homoallylic tosylate. Reduction of the intermediate radical alkylation adduct (via single electron transfer) furnishes an anion that undergoes an intramolecular substitution. The process displays excellent functional group tolerance, characteristic of proceeding through odd-electron intermediates, and occurs under mild conditions with visible light irradiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural