Free-radical transition state reactions

Organic reactions can be loosely grouped into three classes depending on the character of the activated complex through which these reactions can proceed dipolar, isopolar, and free-radical transition-state reactions [15, 468]. 

Free-radical activated complexes are formed by the creation of unpaired electrons during homolytic bond cleavage. Free-radical transition-state reactions with small or negligible solvent effects are found among radical-pair formation and atom-transfer reactions such as ... 

Solvent Effects on Free-Radical Transition State Reactions... 

Azo compounds can exist in either the cis or trans form. It is reasonable to assume that the azoalkanes in Table 5-8 exhibit the trans configuration. Contrary to the small solvent effects obtained in the decomposition of trans -azoalkanes, the thermolysis of definite cu-azoalkanes reveals a significant solvent influence on rate. Thermolysis of ah-phatic symmetrical cw-tert-azoalkanes can lead either to the corresponding trans-tert-azoalkanes, presumably via an inversion mechanism, or to tert-alkyl radicals and nitrogen by decomposition via a free-radical transition state [192]. An example of the first type of reaction is the Z)I E) isomerization of [1,1 jazonorbornane. Its rate is virtually solvent-independent, which is consistent with a simple inversion mechanism [565, 566], The second reaction type is represented by the thermal decomposition of cis-2,2 -dimethyl-[2,2 ]azopropane, for which a substantial decrease in rate with increasing solvent polarity has been found [193] cf Eq. (5-60). 

In their enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-triptocallol (3-79), a naturally occurring terpenoid, Yang and coworkers made use of a concise Mn(OAc)rmediated and chiral auxiliary-assisted oxidative free-radical cyclization [39]. Reaction of 3-77, bearing a (R)-pulegone-based chiral auxiliary, with Mn(OAc)3 and Yb(OTf)3 yielded tricyclic 3-78 in a twofold ring closure in 60% yield and a diastereomeric ratio of 9.2 1 (Scheme 3.20). A further two steps led to (-i-)-triptocallol (3-79). For the interpretation of the stereochemical outcome, the authors proposed the hypothetical transition state TS-3-80, in which chelation of the (3-keto ester moiety with Yb(OTf)3 locks the two carbonyl groups in a syn orientation. The attack of the Mn -oxidation-generated radical onto the proximate double bond is then restricted to the more accessible (si)-face, as the (re)-face is effectively shielded by the 8-naphthyl moiety. 

Reactivity (General Topics, Reactions with Electrophiles and Oxidants, Reactions with Nucleophiles and Reducing Agents, Reactions toward Free Radicals, Carbenes, etc., Reactions with Cyclic Transition State, Reactivity of Substituents, Heterocycles as Intermediates in Organic Synthesis). 

Since the bond is broken symmetrically and results in free radicals, the process is called either a radical or a homolytic reaction. The rate of a homolytic reaction is highly dependent on the stabilities of the radicals, and substituent constants for homolytic reactions should therefore take into account the effects of substitution on the resonance stabilisation of the radical transition state. It is therefore not surprising that Hammett a constants have enjoyed very little success in predicting the rates of radical reactions. 

Initiator a compound that produces free radicals in a reaction for the preparation of an addition polymer. (25.1) Inner-transition elements the two rows of elements at the bottom of the periodic table (2.5) the elements with a partially fllled/subshell in common oxidation states. (8.2 and p. 959)... 

A study of reaction (8) in diglyme shows clearly the mechanism is dissociative. " Surprisingly, the C5Me4Et complex dissociates CO about 18 times more rapidly than the C5H5 analog. This result is ascribed to extra stabilization of the transition state. Reaction (8) in BU2O follows a free radical pathway and reproducible results are obtained only when a radical inhibitor is present (duroquinone), in which case a D mechanism holds. 

Free-radical reaction rates of maleic anhydride and its derivatives depend on polar and steric factors. Substituents added to maleic anhydride that decrease planarity of the transition state decrease the reaction rate. The reactivity decreases in the order maleic anhydride > fumarate ester > maleate ester. 

A free-radical reaction is a chemical process which involves molecules having unpaired electrons. The radical species could be a starting compound or a product, but the most common cases are reactions that involve radicals as intermediates. Most of the reactions discussed to this point have been heterolytic processes involving polar intermediates and/or transition states in which all electrons remained paired throughout the course of the reaction. In radical reactions, homolytic bond cleavages occur. The generalized reactions shown below illustrate the formation of alkyl, vinyl, and aryl free radicals by hypothetical homolytic processes. 

Nevertheless, many free-radical processes respond to introduction of polar substituents, just as do heterolytic processes that involve polar or ionic intermediates. The substituent effects on toluene bromination, for example, are correlated by the Hammett equation, which gives a p value of — 1.4, indicating that the benzene ring acts as an electron donor in the transition state. Other radicals, for example the t-butyl radical, show a positive p for hydrogen abstraction reactions involving toluene. ... 

Why do free-radical reactions involving neutral reactants and intermediates respond to substituent changes that modify electron distribution One explanation has been based on the idea that there would be some polar character in the transition state because of the electronegativity differences of the reacting atoms ... 

Most of the free-radical mechanisms discussed thus far have involved some combination of homolytic bond dissociation, atom abstraction, and addition steps. In this section, we will discuss reactions that include discrete electron-transfer steps. Addition to or removal of one electron fi om a diamagnetic organic molecule generates a radical. Organic reactions that involve electron-transfer steps are often mediated by transition-metal ions. Many transition-metal ions have two or more relatively stable oxidation states differing by one electron. Transition-metal ions therefore firequently participate in electron-transfer processes. 

A number of metal chelates containing transition metals in their higher oxidation states are known to decompose by one electron transfer process to generate free radical species, which may initiate graft copolymerization reactions. Different transition metals, such as Zn, Fe, V, Co, Cr, Al, etc., have been used in the preparation of metal acetyl acetonates and other diketonates. Several studies demonstrated earlier that metal acetyl acetonates can be used as initiators for vinyl polymeriza-... 

Radical additions are typically highly exothermic and activation energies are small for carbon30-31 and oxygen centered32,33 radicals of the types most often encountered in radical polymerization, Thus, according to the Hammond postulate, these reactions are expected to have early reactant-like transition states in which there is little localization of the free spin on C(J. However, for steric factors to be important at all, there must be significant bond deformation and movement towards. sp hybridization at Cn. 

Carboxylates, which are chiral in the a-position totally lose their optical activity in mixed Kolbe electrolyses [93, 94]. This racemization supports either a free radical or its fast dynamic desorption-adsorption at the electrode. A clearer distinction can be made by looking at the diastereoselectivity of the coupling reaction. Adsorbed radicals should be stabilized and thus react via a more product like transition state... 

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