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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Free Radicals in Chemical Biology: from Chemical Behavior to Biomarker Development
Published on: April 15, 2013
Use of Lewis Acids in Free Radical Reactions
Philippe Renaud1, Michèle Gerster1
1Université de Fribourg, Institut de Chimie Organique, Pérolles, CH-1700 Fribourg (Switzerland), Fax: (+41) 26-300-97-39.
Abstract:
The neglect of free radicals over the past few years has been overcome, and they are no longer only considered as interesting reactive intermediates with limited synthetic potential. New opportunities are opened up by performing radical reactions in the presence of Lewis acids. Rate enhancement of radical addition to olefins as well as stereochemical control of such reactions can be achieved in a unique manner. Recent examples of enantioselective radical reactions and perspectives for applications in catalysis are discussed.
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