Cascade radical cyclisations of imines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00636-9

Cascade radical reactions, initiated by cyclisation of sp³ carbon-centred radicals onto the C-atom of imines, have been used to develop a new protocol for the synthesis of a range of nitrogen heterocycles. The C-centred radical intermediates were generated from benzeneselenyl precursors using Bu₃SnH. The aminyl radicals generated by cyclisation onto imines undergo further 5- or 6-exo cyclisation with suitably placed alkenes.