Bromotrichloromethane, radical addition alkenes

The Re(III) complex Re(PPh3)2(MeCN)Cl3 (2 mol%) catalyzes the ATRA of tetrachloromethane or bromotrichloromethane to terminal alkenes in 39-76% yield [303]. p-Pinene suffered a cyclobutylcarbinyl radical ring opening, thus supporting the free radical mechanism. With l, -dienes double addition was found, while 1,3-dienes gave the 1,4-addition product. Internal alkenes were almost inert under the reaction conditions. 1,6-Dienes 158 underwent a tandem radical addition/ cyclization reaction to cycles 159 in 64—87% yield with 3-6 1 c/s-diastereos-electivity (cf. Fig 43). This compares well to the results obtained with the most frequently used catalyst Ru(PPh3)3Cl2 (see Part 2, Sects. 3.3.1 and 3.3.2). 

Fluorinated adducts can be obtained either by addition of polyfluoroalkyl halides to various alkenes or by condensation of halides, such as bromotrichloromethane or carbon tetrachloride, with fluorinated alkenes. Factors which control the regiospecificity and relative rate of these free-radical addition reactions have been studied. 

Allyl radicals substituted at only one of the terminal carbon centers usually react predominantly at the unsubstituted terminus in reactions with nonradicals. This has been shown in reactions of simple dienes such as butadiene, which react with hydrogen bromide, tetrachloromethane or bromotrichloromethane to yield overall 1,4-addition products . The reaction of allyl radicals with hydrogen donors such as thiols or tin hydrides has been investigated and reviewed repeatedly. In most cases, the thermodynamically more favorable product is formed predominantly. This accords with formation of either the higher substituted alkene or the formation of conjugated tt-systems. Not in all cases, however, is the formation of the thermodynamically more favorable product identical to overall 1,4-addition to the diene. In those cases in which allyl radicals are formed through reaction of dienes with tin hydrides or thiols, the... 

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