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Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Free Radicals in Chemical Biology: from Chemical Behavior to Biomarker Development
Published on: April 15, 2013
Strained heterocycles in radical chemistry
Andreas Gansäuer1, Thorsten Lauterbach, Sanjay Narayan
1Kekulé-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Universität Bonn, Gerhard Domagk Strasse 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany. andreas.gansaeuer@uni-bonn.de
Radical chemistry has advanced significantly, particularly using strained heterocycles as precursors. New methods enable efficient synthesis of functionalized compounds and applications in natural product synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Radical reactions in synthesis have grown substantially.
- Strained heterocycles are versatile radical precursors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel applications of heteroatom-centered radicals.
- To develop efficient methods for generating functionalized organolithium compounds.
- To utilize titanocene(III) reagents for epoxide opening.
Main Methods:
- Generation of carbinyl radicals from heterocycles.
- Direct electron transfer to strained heterocycles using arene radical anions.
- Epoxide opening with titanocene(III) reagents.
Main Results:
- Elegant applications of heteroatom-centered radicals demonstrated (e.g., beta fragmentations, cyclizations).
- Functionalized organolithium compounds synthesized by combining radical and organometallic chemistry.
- Highly regioselective epoxide opening yielding beta-titanoxy radicals.
Conclusions:
- Strained heterocycles offer a powerful platform for radical-based synthesis.
- Titanocene(III) mediated epoxide opening expands synthetic possibilities.
- These advancements have significant implications for natural product synthesis.
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