Aminyl radical heterocyclization

An efficient methodology for the construction of pyrrolizidines and other polycyclic nitrogen heterocycles using a radical domino sequence has been revealed by Bowman and coworkers [46]. These authors employed sulfenamides as substrates, which easily form aminyl radicals by treatment with tributyltin hydride and AIBN. For instance, 3-101 smoothly underwent a twofold 5-exo-trig cyclization to give the tetracyclic pyrrolizidine product 3-105 in 90% yield (Scheme 3.26). As intermediates, the radicals 3-102 to 3-104 can be assumed. 

Heterocyclic aminyl radicals as free radical inhibitors 87CRV1313. 

Kim developed a new entry into A -heterocycles by radical cyclizations onto alkyl azides. Iodides, bromides and thionocarbonates (Scheme 28, Eq. 28.1) are suitable radical precursors. 5-Exo cyclizations afford 3,3-triazenyl radicals that lose N2 to furnish an aminyl radical [79]. Following this work, Kilburn has applied this strategy to the formation of spiro-heterocycles from methylenecyclopropanes [80]. Finally, this reaction was applied as a key step in a very elegant cascade synthesis of aspi-dospermidine developed by Murphy (Scheme 28, Eq. 28.2) [81]. 

The jV-chloro-compounds were the first to be employed as radical cyclization precursors in the synthesis of pyrrolidines and piperidines, as well as fused and bridged heterocyclic skeletons [7], Aminyl and amidyl radicals were thus generated and used in intramolecular additions. Higher yields and selectivities are obtained with the metal-complexed species. Some selected examples are reported in Table 4. Generally, a typical radical chain mechanism is involved (with chlorine atom transfer from 7V-chloro-compound). In the particular case of copper-cornplexed aminyl radical cyclization, a redox chain process operates (with fast chlorine ligand transfer from cupric chloride)... 

Iminyl radicals are particularly useful for the construction of nitrogen heterocycles, since the cyclization products are functionally disposed for further elaboration into a variety of useful systems. Zard and coworkers have pioneered the development of methodology for the generation and cyclization of iminyl radicals (Table 8) [5, 71]. Iminyl radicals cyclize one order of magnitude more rapidly than the related neutral aminyl radicals but react less rapidly than the aminyl radicals with hydrogen atom transfer trapping agents, and one would predict that iminyl radicals formed in chain reaction sequences could prove to be as versatile as carbon radicals [78]. 

Radical, succinyl aminyl, transformation into pyrrolidines 78YGK352. Reactions of N-heterocycles in multiphase systems using fluoride anion ... 

Beckwith [51] and Bowman [34] have developed the use of sulfenamides as precursors for aminyl and amidyl radicals. Bowman [36, 52, 53] and Newcomb [54] have applied the protocols to the synthesis of a range of nitrogen heterocycles. The best examples are given in Table 5. 

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