Intermolecular carbon radical addition to cyclic nitrone

Article abstract of DOI:10.3987/COM-08-S(D)39

The intermolecular radical addition to chiral glyoxylic nitrone was studied. The ethyl radical addition to nitrone by using triethylborane proceeded smoothly to give the desired ethylated product with moderate diastereoselectivities accompanying with the

Full text of DOI:10.3987/COM-08-S(D)39

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
739
HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009, pp. 739 - 751. © The Japan Institute of Heterocyclic Chemistry
Received, 29th September, 2008, Accepted, 8th December, 2008, Published online, 10th December, 2008.
DOI: 10.3987/COM-08-S(D)39
INTERMOLECULAR CARBON RADICAL ADDITION TO CYCLIC
NITRONE
Masafumi Ueda,a Hideto Miyabe,b Nami Nonoguchi,a Okiko Miyata,a Osamu
Tamura,c and Takeaki Naito*a
aKobe Pharmaceutical University, Motoyamakita, Higashinada, Kobe 658-8558,
b
Japan. School of Pharmacy, Hyogo University of Health Sciences, Minatojima,
c
Kobe 650-8530, Japan. Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo
194-8543, Japan
Abstract – The intermolecular radical addition to chiral glyoxylic nitrone was
studied. The ethyl radical addition to nitrone by using triethylborane proceeded
smoothly to give the desired ethylated product with moderate
diastereoselectivities accompanying with the ethylated nitrone and the diethylated
product. The radical reaction of nitrone took place even in aqueous media. The
investigation of optimal reaction conditions and the reaction pathway were
described.
INTRODUCTION
The carbon-nitrogen double bonds of imine derivatives are of great interest as radical acceptors in
synthetic organic chemistry. The reductive radical addition to C=N bonds is important due to the
prevalence of organic compounds in nature that contain the amine functional group. Compared with
the extensive investigations into radical cyclization of imine derivatives,1,2 the intermolecular radical
addition to imines has not been widely studied. Therefore, the studies on intermolecular carbon-carbon
bond-forming radical reactions of various imines have been recently demonstrated by several groups.3-10
Nitrone is well-known to be a reactive substrate for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, nucleophilic
additions of organometallic reagents, and so on.11,12 Although nitrone has also evolved as a useful trap for
short-lived reactive free radicals,13 the synthetically useful radical reactions of nitrone are not available
until now.14,15 As a part of our program directed toward the screening of reactive imino radical acceptors,
we have recently reported the highly diastereoselective radical addition to chiral nitrone 1 for the
asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids 3 (Scheme 1).16 In this paper, we describe full details of radical
addition to simple nitrone 4 and the reaction pathway.17

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
Ph
Ph
O
O
Ph
Ph
O
O
R
RI, Et3B
CbzHN
CO2H
N
O
N
> 98% de
R
OH
3
2
1
Scheme 1. Radical Addition to Nitrone 1
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The radical addition reaction of nitrone 4 using triethylborane as an ethyl radical source was studied
under the several reaction conditions (Scheme 2, Table 1).18 To a solution of nitrone 4 in CH2Cl2 was
added 1.0 M solution of Et3B in hexane (5 equiv), and then the reaction mixture was stirred at 25 oC for 5
min. As expected, the radical reaction proceeded smoothly to give a 78:22 diastereomeric mixture of the
desired ethylated product 5 in 46% yield, accompanying with 15% yield of the ethylated nitrone 6 and 9%
yield of the diethylated product 7 (Table 1, entry 1). We were able to separate and purify each
diastereomeric isomers 3R-5 and 3S-5 by PTLC. Thus, the absolute configuration of the minor product 5
o
could be determined to be S by X-ray analysis (Figure 1). Changing the temperature from 25 to –78 C
did not show significant effect in the diastereoselectivity (entry 2). Although the replacement of CH2Cl2
with benzene as a solvent did not lead to good diastereoselectivities (entry 3), changing the temperature
from 25 oC to reflux in benzene led to an effective increase in the yield of the desired ethylated compound
5. Treatment of 4 with Et3B in boiling benzene for 1 min gave a 71:29 diastereomeric mixture of 5 in 63%
yield (entry 4). The ratio of undesired ethylated nitrone 6 to the desired ethylated compound 5 was also
dependent on the amount of Et3B. The reaction using only 1 equiv of Et3B in boiling benzene afford a
significant amount of 6 (Table 1, entry 5).
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
N
O
Et3B
+
+
3
Ph
N
O
Et
Ph
N
O
Ph
N
Et
Ph
Et
OEt
OH
7
5
6
4
Scheme 2. Radical Addition to Nitrone 4 by Using Et3B

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
741
Table 1. Ethyl Radical Addition to Nitrone 4 by Using Et3Ba
Entry
Equivalent Solvent
T
(oC)
Time Selectivityb
Yield (%)c
5
of Et3B
(10 mL)
CH2Cl2
CH2Cl2
benzene
benzene
benzene
(min) 3R-5 : 3S-5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
5
5
5
5
1
25
5
78 : 22
80 : 20
73 : 27
71 : 29
71 : 29
46 (14)
32 (9)
49 (12)
63 (2)
59 (12)
15
14
15
9
9
-78
25
60
5
13
10
14
nd
reflux 1
reflux 1
19
a All Reactions of nitrone 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) were carried out in CH2Cl2 or benzene (10
mL). b Diastereoselectivities were determined by 1H NMR analysis. c Isolated yields. Yields in
parentheses are for the recovered starting nitrone 4.
Figure 1. X-Ray Analysis of 3S-5
As shown in Scheme 3, the ethylated nitrone 6 would be obtained as a result of disproportionation
reaction of the intermediate radical B, which was generated by the ethyl radical addition to nitrone 4.
These results indicate that Et3B worked as not only a radical initiator but also a radical terminator to trap
the intermediate radical B to give an adduct C and a chain-propagating ethyl radical, therefore a large
amount of Et3B is required for the selective formation of the desired ethylated product 5.19 However, the
reaction of intermediate radical B with Et3B is a slow process; thus, the formation of C- and O-diethylated
product 7 may result from the accumulation of the nitroxide radical B in reaction mixture due to the
persistent radical effect.

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
O
N
O
O
N
O
O2
Et +
Et3B
Ph
Ph
Ph
Et
O
4
O
A
O
O
Et3B
N
O
Et
O
O
B
Bu3SnH
Ph
N
O
Et
BEt2
Lewis Acid
O
C
O
O
O
H2O
Ph
N
O
Et
Ph
N
Et
OH
6
5
Scheme 3. Reaction Pathway of Radical Reaction of Nitrone 4
Table 2. Concentration Effect of Nitrone 4 on Radical Addition Reactiona
Entry
Solvent
T (oC)
Time Selectivityb
Yield (%)c
(min) 3R-5 : 3S-5
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
CH2Cl2 (1 mL)
CH2Cl2 (5 mL)
CH2Cl2 (10 mL)
benzene (1 mL)
benzene (10 mL)
benzene (100 mL)
benzene (1 mL)
benzene (10 mL)
benzene (100 mL)
25
5
5
5
5
5
5
1
1
1
77 : 23
77 : 23
78 : 22
75 : 25
73 : 27
73 : 27
70 : 30
71 : 29
69 : 31
66 (6)
58 (3)
46 (14)
71 (13)
49 (12)
31 (27)
71 (7)
63 (2)
40 (12)
3
6
25
12
15
nd
15
20
4
4
25
9
25
11
10
8
25
25
reflux
reflux
reflux
5
9
4
15
nd
a All reactions of 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) were carried out with Et3B (5 equiv.) in CH2Cl2 or
b
1
c
benzene. Diastereoselectivities were determined by H NMR analysis. Isolated yields.
Yields in parentheses are for the recovered starting nitrone 4.

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
743
The ratio of the desired ethylated product 5 to the ethylated nitrone 6 was also dependent on the
concentration of the substrate 4 (Table 2). Under the high dilution conditions, the yield of the desired
product 5 diminished and the yield of the undesired product 6 increased. Good results were obtained by
the use of 1 mL of CH2Cl2 or benzene for 0.26 mmol of substrate 4 at 25 °C (entries 1 and 4). Treatment
of 4 in CH2Cl2 (1 mL) for 5 min gave a 77:23 diastereomeric mixture of 5 in 66% yield (entry 1), which
is better than that obtained by the reaction in CH2Cl2 (10 mL) (entry 3). The reaction of 4 proceeded
smoothly in benzene (1 mL) at 25 °C to afford 5 in 71% yield without the formation of the undesired
product 6 (entry 4). In contrast, the reaction in benzene (100 mL) gave 31% yield of 5 and 20% yield of 6,
accompanying with 27% yield of starting nitrone 4 (entry 6). When the reaction was carried out in
refluxing benzene, a similar trend was observed (entries 7-9).
Table 3. Radical Addition to Nitrone 4 in The Presence of Lewis Acidsa
Entry
Lewis acid
T (oC)
Time
(min)
15
Selectivityb
3R-5 : 3S-5
48 : 52
61 : 39
56 : 44
52 : 48
-
Yield (%)c
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
BF3·OEt2
Bu2BOTf
MAD
25
30
8
25
25
33
39
19
9
25
25
38
BF3·OEt2
Bu2BTOf
MAD
-78
-78
-78
-78
-78
30
20
25
trace
30
16
27
60
62 : 38
61 : 39
-
19
TMSOTf
60
41
MgBr2
40
decomposed
a All reaction of 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) were carried out with Et3B (5 equiv.) in CH2Cl2 (10 mL).
b
1
c
Diastereoselectivities were determined by H NMR analysis. Isolated yields. Yields in
parentheses are for the recovered starting nitrone 4.
To suppress the formation of the diethylated product 7, several Lewis acids were screened (Table 3). As
expected, the undesired product 7 was not formed in the presence of Lewis acid. In the presence of
BF3·OEt2, 30% yield of 5 as a 48:52 diastereomeric mixture was obtained without the formation of 7
(entry 1). However, the addition of Lewis acid led to a decease in the ratio of the desired ethylated
product 5 to the ethylated nitrone 6. In the case of Bu2BOTf, 33% yield of 5 and 39% yield of 6 were
obtained (entry 2). In the case of MAD (Methylaluminum bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxide), 38%
yield of 5 and 19% yield of 6 were obtained (entry 3). These results indicate that the intermediate radical
B was not effectively trapped by Et3B as a result of the competitive coordination of Lewis acid and Et3B

744
HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
to oxygen atom of B. Thus, the disproportionation reaction of the intermediate radical B was a significant
side reaction. Additionally, the addition of Lewis acids influenced the degree of stereoselectivity. Good
diastereoselectivities were not observed even at low reaction temperature (entries 4-8).
The stereochemical feature of this reaction can be rationalized in terms of steric control in the
conformationally restricted nitrone 4 (Figure 2). In the absence of Lewis acid, the radical addition to the
less hindered re (top) face is favored, presumably due to steric interactions with the phenyl group in
nitrone D, which prevents addition to si (bottom) face. In the presence of Lewis acid, the steric repulsion
between Lewis acids and phenyl group in E led to a decrease in diastereoselectivity.
R
R
L.A.
O
H
O
H
BEt3
H
H
O
H
N O
Ph
O
H
N O
Ph
H
H
R
D
E
Figure 2. Stereochemical Feature
To suppress the formation of undesired ethylated nitrone 6, we next employed Bu3SnH as a hydride atom
donor (Scheme 4). As expected, the yield of 6 diminished as a result of the predominant reaction of
intermediate radical B with Bu3SnH to give a 65:35 diastereomeric mixture of the desired ethylated
product 5 in 67% yield, accompanying with 16% yield of product 8 as a result of the reduction of nitrone
4 with Bu3SnH.
Et3B
O
O
O
O
Bu3SnH
+
4
Ph
N
3
Ph
N
Et
CH2Cl2 (10 mL)
25 oC
OH
OH
8 (16%)
5 (67%)
3R-5 :3S-5 = 65 : 35
Scheme 4. Radical Addition to Nitrone 4 in the Presence of Bu3SnH
We next investigated the reaction of nitrone 4 using Et2Zn as an ethyl radical source under the similar
reaction conditions (Table 4).20 Et2Zn worked well. Although the use of Et2Zn led to a decrease in
diastereoselectivity due to coordination of Et2Zn as a Lewis acid, the formation of the ethylated nitrone 6
was not observed at 25 °C, because the reaction of intermediate radical B with Et2Zn is a quick process

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
745
(entries 1 and 2). The reaction in CH2Cl2 at 25 °C gave a 54:46 diastereomeric mixture of the desired
ethylated product 5 without the formation of undesired products 6 and 7 (entry 1). The formation of
undesired products 6 was observed by performed the reaction at -78 °C (entry 3).
Table 4. Ethyl Radical Addition to Nitrone 4 by Using Et2Zna
O
O
O
O
O
O
Et2Zn
+
+
4
Ph
N
O
Et
Ph
N
Et
Ph
N
Et
OEt
OH
7
5
6
Entry Solvent
T (oC)
Time
(min)
10
Selectivityb
3R-5 : 3S-5
54 : 46
Yield (%)c
5
6
7
1
2
3
CH2Cl2
benzene
CH2Cl2
25
49
42
37
nd
nd
10
nd
10
nd
25
10
57 : 43
-78
10
50 : 50
a All reaction of 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) were carried out with Et2Zn (5 equiv.) in CH2Cl2 or
b
1
c
benzene (10 mL). Diastereoselectivities were determined by H NMR analysis. Isolated
yields.
The use of water as a solvent has generated considerable interest from both economical and
environmental points of view.21 Particularly, the carbon-carbon bond formation in aqueous media is a
challenging problem.22,23 We finally investigated the reaction of 4 in aqueous media (Scheme 5). To a
solution of 4 in H2O/MeOH was added a solution of Et3B in MeOH (5 equiv), and then the reaction
o
mixture was stirred at 25 C for 10 min. The radical reaction smoothly proceeded to give a 75:25
diastereomeric mixture of the desired ethylated product 5 in 51% yield, accompanying with 6% yield of
the diethylated product 7.
O
O
O
O
Et3B in MeOH (5 equiv.)
+
4
Ph
N
Et
Ph
N
Et
H2O-MeOH (12 mL)
25 oC, 10 min
OH
OEt
5 (51%)
3R-5 : 3S-5 = 75 : 25
7 (6%, 5 : 1 ds)
Scheme 5. Radical Addition to Nitrone 4 in Aqueous Media
In conclusion, we have demonstrated that nitrone is an excellent radical acceptor for intermolecular
carbon-carbon bond-forming radical reactions even in the presence of water. In addition to intermolecular

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
radical reaction of oxime ethers, hydrazones, and N-sulfonylimines, the radical reactions of nitrones
disclosed a broader aspect of the utility of imine derivatives as a radical acceptor for the synthesis of
various types of amino compounds.
EXPERIMENTAL
General.
Melting points are uncorrected. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded at 200, 300 or 500 MHz and at 50,
75 or 125 MHz, respectively. IR spectra were recorded using FTIR apparatus. Mass spectra were obtained
by EI, CI, or SIMS methods. Preparative TLC separations were carried out on precoated silica gel plates
(E. Merck 60F254). Flash column chromatography was performed using E. Merck Kieselgel 60 (230-400
mesh).
Et3B-mediated ethyl radical addition to nitrone 4 (Table 1 and 2).
To a solution of nitrone 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) in CH2Cl2 or benzene (1, 5, 10, or 100 mL) was added
Et3B (1.0 M in hexane, 1.31 mL, 1.31 mmol or 0.26 mL, 0.26 mmol) at –78 °C, +25 °C or reflux. After
being stirred at the same temperature for 1, 5 or 60 min, the reaction mixture was concentrated at reduced
pressure. Purification of the residue by preparative TLC (hexane/AcOEt 3:1, 2-fold developments)
afforded the desired ethylated product R-5, S-5, the ethylated nitrone 6 and diethylated product 7,
respectively.
(3R,5R)-3-Ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2-morpholinone (R-5) colorless crystals: mp 73-77 °C (benzene).
IR (CHCl3) 3577, 2966, 1743 cm-1. 1H NMR δ 7.42-7.32 (5H, m), 5.51-5.46 (1H, m), 4.92-4.84 (1H, m),
4.65 (1H, dd, J=11.5, 5.0 Hz), 4.42 (1H, dd, J = 9.5, 5.0 Hz), 3.69-3.63 (1H, m), 2.15-1.85 (2H, m), 1.11
13
(3H, t, J = 7.5 Hz). C NMR (CDCl3) δ 170.6, 135.9, 128.9, 128.5, 127.7, 67.1, 66.9, 60.2, 23.3, 11.2.
HRMS: Calcd for C12H15NO3 (M+): 221.1051, Found: 221.1071. Anal. Calcd for C12H15NO3: C, 65.14; H,
6.83; N, 6.33. Found: C, 65.10; H, 6.86; N, 6.08. [α]17D +33.0 (c 1.01, CHCl3).
(3S,5R)-3-Ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2-morpholinone (S-5) colorless crystals: mp 122-127 °C
1
(benzene/hexane). IR (CHCl3) 3574, 3381, 3019, 2975, 1741 cm-1. H NMR δ 7.44-7.34 (5H, m), 5.11
(1H, br s), 4.25-4.18 (2H, m), 4.05 (1H, t, J = 7.5 Hz), 3.72 (1H, t, J = 4.3 Hz), 2.18-2.02 (2H, m), 1.07
13
(3H, t, J = 7.5 Hz). C NMR (CDCl3) δ 169.7, 136.1, 129.1, 128.8, 127.8, 70.0, 69.5, 67.1, 22.9, 9.3.
HRMS: Calcd for C12H15NO3 (M+): 221.1051, Found: 221.1069. Anal. Calcd for C12H15NO3: C, 65.14; H,
6.83; N, 6.33. Found: C, 64.84; H, 6.75; N, 6.33. [α]18 -58.1 (c 1.21, CHCl3). Crystal data of S-5:
D
C12H15NO3, space group MONOCLINIC, p21 with a = 9.415 (2), b = 6.8150 (9), c = 9.817 (1) Å, V =
605.3 (1) Å3, final R value 0.0312 for 1194 reflections.

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
747
(5R)-3-Ethyl-5, 6-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-oxadin-2-one 4-oxide (6)
a colorless oil: IR (CHCl3) 3013, 1721, 1549 cm-1. 1H NMR δ 7.44-7.31 (5H, m), 5.11 (1H, t, J = 4.0 Hz),
4.82 (1H, dd, J = 12.5, 4.0 Hz), 4.68 (1H, dd, J = 12.5, 4.0 Hz), 2.87-2.75 (2H, m), 1.18 (3H, t, J = 7.5
13
Hz). C NMR (CDCl3) δ 158.8, 140.9, 132.3, 129.7, 129.3, 127.0, 70.8, 66.9, 19.3, 9.2. HRMS: Calcd
for C12H13NO3 (M+): 219.0895, Found: 219.0909.
(5R)-4-Ethoxy-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-2-morpholinone (7)
a colorless oil (5:1mixture of diasteromers): IR (CHCl3) 2979, 1736, 1455 cm-1. 1H NMR δ 7.46-7.32 (5H,
m), 4.66-4.58 (1H, m), 4.44-4.34 (1H, m), 4.30-4.21 (1H, m), 3.66-3.56 (3H, m), 2.15-1.82 (2H, m), 1.15
(15/6H, t, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.09 (3/6H, t, J = 7.5 Hz) 1.01 (15/6H, br t, J = 7.5 Hz), 0.98 (3/6H, t, J = 7.5 Hz).
13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 173.1, 170.9, 138.3, 128.8, 128.7, 128.62, 128.58, 128.5, 128.2, 127.8, 127.7, 127.0,
75.0, 68.5, 67.4, 64.2, 53.5, 33.0, 32.2, 13.9, 11.3, 8.8, 8.0. HRMS: Calcd for C14H19NO3 (M+): 249.1364,
Found: 249.1376.
Et3B-mediated ethyl radical addition to nitrone 4 in the presence of Lewis acid (Table 3).
To a solution of nitrone 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) and Lewis acid (0.26 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (10 mL) was added
Et3B (1.0 M in hexane, 1.31 mL, 1.31 mmol) at –78 °C or +25 °C. After being stirred at the same
temperature for 15-60 min, the reaction mixture was diluted with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 and then
extracted with CH2Cl2. The organic phase was dried over MgSO4 and concentrated at reduced pressure.
Purification of the residue by preparative TLC (hexane/AcOEt 3:1, 2-fold developments) afforded the
desired ethylated product R-5, S-5 and the ethylated nitrone 6, respectively.
Et3B-mediated ethyl radical addition to nitrone 4 in the presence of Bu3SnH.
To a solution of nitrone 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (10 mL) were added Et3B (1.0 M in hexane,
1.31 mL, 1.31 mmol) and Bu3SnH (0.085 mL, 0.31 mmol) at 25 °C. After being stirred at the same
temperature for 5 min, the reaction mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure. Purification of the
residue by preparative TLC (hexane/AcOEt 3:1, 2-fold developments) afforded the ethylated product 5
(39.0 mg, 67%, diastereomeric ratio 65:35), diethylated product 7 (18.1 mg, 28%) and reduction product
8 (8.1 mg, 16%).
(5R)-4-Hydroxy-5-phenyl-2-morpholinone (8)
colorless crystals: mp 95-97 °C (hexane/AcOEt). IR (CHCl3) 3572, 1748 cm-1. 1H NMR δ 7.44 -7.34 (5H,
13
m), 5.52 (1H, br s), 4.43-4.26 (2H, m), 4.13, 3.66 (each 1H, d, J = 17 Hz), 3.96 (1H, t, J = 8 Hz). C
NMR (CDCl3) δ 167.1, 135.0, 128.9, 128.8, 127.8, 69.6, 66.6, 58.9. HRMS: Calcd for C10H11NO3 (M+)
193.0738, Found: 193.0742. [α]21D -124.2 (c 1.11, CHCl3).
Et2Zn-mediated ethyl radical addition to nitrone 4.
To a solution of nitrone 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) in CH2Cl2 or benzene (10 mL) was added Et2Zn (1.0 M in

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 79, 2009
hexane, 1.31 mL, 1.31 mmol) at –78 °C or +25 °C. After being stirred at the same temperature for 10 min,
the reaction mixture was diluted with saturated aqueous NH4Cl and then extracted with CH2Cl2. The
organic phase was dried over MgSO4 and concentrated at reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by
preparative TLC (hexane/AcOEt 3:1, 2-fold developments) afforded the desired ethylated product R-5,
S-5, the ethylated nitrone 6 and diethylated product 7, respectively.
Et3B-mediated ethyl radical addition to nitrone 4 in aqueous media.
To a solution of nitrone 4 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) in H2O-MeOH (1:2, 12 mL) was added Et3B (1.0 M in
hexane, 1.31 mL, 1.31 mmol) at 25 °C. After being stirred at the same temperature for 10 min, the
reaction mixture was diluted with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 and then extracted with CH2Cl2. The
organic phase was dried over MgSO4 and concentrated at reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by
preparative TLC (hexane/AcOEt 3:1, 2-fold developments) afforded the desired ethylated product 5 (29.6
mg, 51%, diastereomeric ratio 70:30) and the diethylated product 7 (3.6 mg, 6%), respectively.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to thank Grant-in Aid for Scientific Research (B) (T.N.), for Scientific Research (C) (H.M. and
O.M.) and for Young Scientists (B) (M.U.) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology of Japan, and the Science Research Promotion Fund of the Japan Private School Promotion
Foundation for research grants. We also thank Dr. H. Hiramatsu and Dr. K. Aoe, Tanabe Seiyaku, Co. Ltd,
for X-ray analysis.
REFERENCES AND NOTES
1. For reviews, see: H. Miyabe, O. Miyata, and T. Naito, J. Synth. Org. Chem. Jpn., 2002, 60, 1087; H.
Ishibashi, T. Sato, and M. Ikeda, Synthesis, 2002, 695; G. K. Friestad, Tetrahedron, 2001, 57, 5461;
T. Naito, Heterocycles, 1999, 50, 505; A. G. Fallis and I. M. Brinza, Tetrahedron, 1997, 53, 17543;
B. Giese, B. Kopping, T. Göbel, J. Dickhaut, G. Thoma, K. J. Kulicke, and F. Trach, Org. React.,
(N.Y.) 1996, 48, 301; ‘Radicals in Organic Synthesis’, Vol. 1 and 2, ed. by P. Renaud and M. P. Sibi,
Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2001.
2. For recent examples of the radical cyclization of imine derivatives, see: A. Shirai, O. Miyata, N.
Tohnai, M. Miyata, D. J. Procter, D. Sucunza, and T. Naito, J. Org. Chem., 2008, 73, 4464; F.
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