Cyclopentylmethyl radicals synthesis

Hexenyl radicals cyclize to cyclopentylmethyl radicals (see Volume 4, Chapter 4.2). Thus radical decarboxylation of 6-heptenoic acids, by whatever means, usually results in die formation of five-mem-v beied rings. Although this fact had been appreciated previously it is only recendy, widi the advent of the 0-acyl thiohydroxamates, that it has been exploited from a syndietic point of view. An example is provided by the synthesis of bicyclo[4.3.0]proline derivatives from aspartic acid carried out by the Barton group (equation 51). It will be noted that activation of die C—C double bond acting as a radical trap is not necessary in these intramolecular reactions. 

Free-radical cyclization reactions (i.e., the intramolecular addition of an alkyl radical to a C=C ir bond) have emerged as one of the most interesting and widespread applications of free-radical chemistry to organic synthesis. Free-radical cyclizations are useful because they are so fast. The cyclization of the 5-hexenyl radical to the cyclopentylmethyl radical is very fast, occurring at a rate of about 1.0 X 105 s-1. In fact, the rate of formation of the cyclopentylmethyl radical is much faster than the rate of cyclization to the lower energy cyclohexyl radical. This stereoelectronic effect is derived from the fact that the overlap between the p orbital of the radical and the rr MO of the double bond is much better when Cl attacks C5 than when it attacks C6. The relative rates of 5-exo and 6-endo ring closures are strongly dependent on the nature of the substrate and especially on the amount of substitution on the ir bond. Cyclization of the 6-heptenyl radical in the 6-exo mode is also very favorable. 

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