Cascade Radical Addition-Cyclization-Trapping Reactions

Significance

An enantioselective radical cyclization reaction is described. The authors found that the use of zinc triflate at -78 °C was necessary to hold the substrate in the appropriate conformation to obtain high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. Secondary alkyl iodides were used as radical acceptors and were able to trap the substrate’s primary radical that was formed after cyclization.