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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Functionalization reactions of styrene and styrene derivatives
Yihan Ding1, Xuling Xue1, Dumitra Lucan2
1School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China liuhongke@njnu.edu.cn xuexuling87@163.com.
This review covers radical reactions for functionalizing styrene, a key organic molecule. It highlights methods for direct mono- and di-functionalization, enabling complex molecule synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Carbon(sp3)-hydrogen bonds are common in organic molecules.
- Direct functionalization of C(sp3)-H bonds is a significant area of research.
- Styrene functionalization is crucial for synthesizing diverse organic compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of radical-mediated styrene functionalization.
- To detail direct mono- and di-functionalization reactions of styrene and its derivatives.
- To discuss reaction mechanisms, patterns, and synthetic applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of radical functionalization strategies for styrene.
- Analysis of reaction mechanisms for mono- and di-functionalization.
- Focus on reactions involving solvent molecules (Wang reactions).
Main Results:
- Radical functionalization offers rapid and convenient styrene transformations.
- Di-functionalization allows incorporation of various carbon- and heteroatom-centered radicals.
- Specific attention to Wang reactions involving styrene derivatives and solvents like alcohols, ketones, nitriles, ethers, and thioethers.
Conclusions:
- Radical reactions are powerful tools for styrene functionalization.
- Understanding these reactions expands synthetic possibilities in organic chemistry.
- Wang reactions represent a notable class of styrene di-functionalization.
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