Oxetanes: formation, reactivity and total syntheses of natural products

• Peter Gabko,
• Martin Kalník and
• Maroš Bella

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1324–1373, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.101

• vinylsulphonium triflates 28 which combine the features of a radical acceptor (in a Giese-type addition) and a leaving group. The use of ketyl radicals for oxetane synthesis was also investigated by Schindler and co-workers and a year later the group published a methodology that utilises a similar Giese addition

• /Williamson etherification sequence (Scheme 8) [43]. In this case, however, the radicals were generated by irradiation of α-acetyloxy iodides 36, formed by treating the corresponding ketone precursors with acetyl iodide in the presence of catalytic Zn(OTf)2. The radical addition employed electron-rich alkenes

• decarboxylation was induced by a photochemical oxidation using an iridium catalyst, and the resulting benzylic radicals were coupled with activated alkenes through a Giese addition which was irreversible due to the strained nature of the starting radicals. As a result, radical dimerization was minimal and the 3,3

Recent advances in amidyl radical-mediated photocatalytic direct intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer

• Hao-Sen Wang,
• Lin Li,
• Xin Chen,
• Jian-Li Wu,
• Kai Sun,
• Xiao-Lan Chen,
• Ling-Bo Qu and
• Bing Yu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1306–1323, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.100

• 450002, PR China National Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Processing and Utilization of Forest Biomass, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, PR China 10.3762/bjoc.21.100 Abstract In recent years, amidyl radicals have emerged as highly efficient and versatile reagents for hydrogen atom

• transfer (HAT) in photocatalytic reactions. These radicals display exceptional selectivity and efficiency in abstracting hydrogen atoms from C–H, Si–H, B–H, and Ge–H, positioning them as invaluable tools in synthetic chemistry. This review summarizes the latest advancements in the photocatalyzed generation

• of amidyl radicals as HAT reagents, with a particular emphasis on their role in the intermolecular HAT process. We highlight key developments, mechanistic insights, and emerging strategies that harness the unique reactivity of amidyl radicals in the selective functionalization of a variety of

Recent advances in oxidative radical difunctionalization of N-arylacrylamides enabled by carbon radical reagents

• Jiangfei Chen,
• Yi-Lin Qu,
• Ming Yuan,
• Xiang-Mei Wu,
• Heng-Pei Jiang,
• Ying Fu and
• Shengrong Guo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1207–1271, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.98

• a specific focus on strategies involving carbon-centered radicals. The reactions are systematically categorized according to their initiation modes and radical sources, including (1) transition-metal-catalyzed radical reactions, (2) peroxide-mediated thermal processes, (3) photoredox-catalyzed

• transformations, (4) electrochemical approaches, and (5) metal-free or electron donor–acceptor (EDA)-driven systems. The substrate scope, limitations, and mechanistic aspects of these radical cascade cyclization strategies are critically examined. Review N-Arylalkenes: alkyl C(sp3)–H radicals Early investigations

• to generate t-BuO and OH radicals. The t-BuO radical then abstracts a hydrogen atom from the β,γ-unsaturated ketoxime, forming the iminoxyl radical 10. This is followed by a 5-exo-trig cyclization, yielding a C-centered radical 11, which then adds to the alkene moiety of the N-arylacrylamide, forming

Synthesis of β-ketophosphonates through aerobic copper(II)-mediated phosphorylation of enol acetates

• Alexander S. Budnikov,
• Igor B. Krylov,
• Fedor K. Monin,
• Valentina M. Merkulova,
• Alexey I. Ilovaisky,
• Liu Yan,
• Bing Yu and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1192–1200, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.96

• , which generally employed stoichiometric amounts of oxidants or more expensive transition metal catalysts, the present protocol employs only cheap copper sulfate pentahydrate as a catalyst under mild reaction conditions. The achieved phosphorylation proceeds via the formation of P-centered radicals

• effective generation of phosphorous radicals. Under a pure O2 atmosphere, the interception of formed P-centered radicals by excess oxygen can presumably inhibit the target process by the formation of unreactive phosphoric acid from the corresponding H-phosphonate [73][74]. The formation of phosphoric acid

• radicals and product 3 can be described by several pathways. The direct oxidation of 2 by Cu(II) A leads to the formation of P-centered radical E and Cu(I) B. Under air atmosphere, the formed Cu(I) species B can react with molecular oxygen resulting in the formation of peroxycopper intermediate C [75][76

Biobased carbon dots as photoreductants – an investigation by using triarylsulfonium salts

• Valentina Benazzi,
• Arianna Bini,
• Ilaria Bertuol,
• Mariangela Novello,
• Federica Baldi,
• Matteo Hoch,
• Alvise Perosa and
• Stefano Protti

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1024–1030, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.84

• have been considered as a promising source of aryl radicals and employed in organic synthesis [20][21][22][23][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. This investigation aims to compare the performance of CDs prepared from several carbon precursors including citric acid, glucose, and organic waste materials via

On the photoluminescence in triarylmethyl-centered mono-, di-, and multiradicals

• Daniel Straub,
• Markus Gross,
• Mona E. Arnold,
• Julia Zolg and
• Alexander J. C. Kuehne

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 964–998, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.80

• Ulm, Germany 10.3762/bjoc.21.80 Abstract Organic radicals with light-emitting properties and exceptional stability offer exciting opportunities to address spin-statistical limitations in organic electronics and advance quantum technologies. These radicals, acting as small molecular magnets, exhibit

• delves into the photoluminescent properties and spin ground states of trityl-based mono-, di-, and multiradicals, examining the strategies employed to enhance their performance. Additionally, we review predictive methods for determining the luminescence and spin states of radicals, highlighting critical

• unresolved questions that must be addressed to unlock the full potential of trityl-based radicals in advanced technological applications. Keywords: Chichibabin hydrocarbon; COF; Gomberg radical; MOF; Müller hydrocarbon; Thiele hydrocarbon; Introduction Gomberg-type, triarylmethyl-centered radicals

Recent advances in controllable/divergent synthesis

• Jilei Cao,
• Leiyang Bai and
• Xuefeng Jiang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 890–914, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.73

• environment around the copper center disfavors a direct interaction with nucleophilic alkyl radicals. Instead, the reaction proceeds via an outer-sphere mechanism, where the alkyl radical reacts with the copper-activated C=N unsaturated bond, enabling stereocontrolled C(sp3)–C(sp3) coupling. In contrast, with

• the anionic cyano-substituted bisoxazoline ligand L7, the glycine ester and copper catalyst form a distinct intermediate complex Int-28. The ligand’s reduced steric bulk and altered electronic properties facilitate direct interaction with alkyl radicals, forming a high-valent Cu(III) intermediate Int

• six-membered nickel ring captures radicals and undergoes reductive elimination to form β-products (kinetic control); at high temperatures, the formation of a five-membered nickel ring leads to α-products (thermodynamic control). Therefore, the formation of the more stable nickel ring drives migration

Recent advances in the electrochemical synthesis of organophosphorus compounds

• Babak Kaboudin,
• Milad Behroozi,
• Sepideh Sadighi and
• Fatemeh Asgharzadeh

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 770–797, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.61

• carbonyl group. The halide salts did not lead to product formation, indicating that chloride and bromide anions cannot generate the corresponding radicals to accelerate the conversion of diphenylphosphine. The reaction yield decreased when the methyl group was placed in ortho-position. Moreover, the

• on the aromatic ring did not react in this system due to the incompatibility of the intermediate radicals. Electrochemical N–P bond formation Due to the importance of phosphoramidates in medicine and organic synthesis, Zhong et al. [64] reported an electrochemical P–N coupling of amines with dialkyl

• decomposition leads to the generation of O₂, the primary oxygen source in the reaction process. A radical process was proposed in the reaction. Diphenylphosphine oxide and carbazole radicals were formed via anodic oxidation in the presence of a base, followed by a coupling reaction to give the final P–N product

Photocatalyzed elaboration of antibody-based bioconjugates

• Marine Le Stum,
• Eugénie Romero and
• Gary A. Molander

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 616–629, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.49

• function. Their chemical modification has been developed using iminoxyl radicals [28]. Although numerous methods exist for the functionalization of Trp in proteins, their application in the elaboration of ADCs is limited [29]. Given the many challenges in antibody modification as outlined above, it is

• thus to have a better control of the selectivity and the DAR, leading to more homogeneous ADCs. In this specific context, photocatalysis (Figure 2) enables site-specific bioconjugation by generating reactive intermediates (such as radicals or electron-deficient species) that can selectively react under

• intermediates can lead to protein denaturation or aggregation [61]. Because photoredox reactions often generate highly reactive species (such as radicals or singlet oxygen), long exposure times could cause unwanted side reactions, including the degradation of 3D structure of the protein or antibody. A short

Photomechanochemistry: harnessing mechanical forces to enhance photochemical reactions

• Francesco Mele,
• Ana M. Constantin,
• Andrea Porcheddu,
• Raimondo Maggi,
• Giovanni Maestri,
• Nicola Della Ca’ and
• Luca Capaldo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 458–472, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.33

• mechanistic scenario than that operating in solution [71], where photogenerated thiyl radicals proved crucial intermediates. Parallelly, Hernández reported a photomechanochemical approach for the borylation of aryldiazonium salts in a ball milling apparatus equipped with a transparent polymethylmethacrylate

Red light excitation: illuminating photocatalysis in a new spectrum

• Lucas Fortier,
• Corentin Lefebvre and
• Norbert Hoffmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 296–326, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.22

• the substrate, an activated ester 25, subsequently generating carbon-centered radicals without the need for sacrificial electron donors via a decarboxylation process. In reacting with electron-deficient alkenes or alkynes 26, these radicals further yield tetralin and dialin moieties 27, respectively

• detail, and the authors have proposed that the reaction proceeds through a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism (Scheme 11). Upon red-light excitation, chlorophyll generates superoxide anion radicals (O2•−) in the presence of oxygen, which act as the active oxidant to convert organoborons 31 to

• reactions with nucleophiles like malonates, cyanides, and phosphites. The study further revealed that the radicals generated from these processes can be successfully utilized in dual catalysis with copper, yielding a variety of alkynylated products (Figure 11) [65]. Compound 46 has been shown to exhibit

Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

• Sara Colombo,
• Camilla Loro,
• Egle M. Beccalli,
• Gianluigi Broggini and
• Marta Papis

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 122–145, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.7

• to multiple C–C bonds generates extended carbon radicals capable of giving further functionalization. Regarding the ionic mechanism, the key step generally comprises the complexation with the unsaturated substrate leading to activation of the alkenyl/alkynyl moiety towards a nucleophilic attack. In

Reactivity of hypervalent iodine(III) reagents bearing a benzylamine with sulfenate salts

• Beatriz Dedeiras,
• Catarina S. Caldeira,
• José C. Cunha,
• Clara S. B. Gomes and
• M. Manuel B. Marques

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3281–3289, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.272

• groups (V), which proved to be useful in the transfer of imine radicals [17]. Bolm et al. contributed also to this topic by introducing a sulfoximidoyl-containing benziodoxolone (VI) [18]. Recently, our group disclosed the first HIRs bearing a primary amine moiety, the benzylamine benziodoxolone reagent

Giese-type alkylation of dehydroalanine derivatives via silane-mediated alkyl bromide activation

• Perry van der Heide,
• Michele Retini,
• Fabiola Fanini,
• Giovanni Piersanti,
• Francesco Secci,
• Daniele Mazzarella,
• Timothy Noël and
• Alberto Luridiana

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3274–3280, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.271

• building blocks like organohalides can be converted into alkyl radicals by means of photoinduced silane-mediated halogen-atom transfer (XAT) to offer a mild and straightforward methodology of alkylation. In this research, we present a metal-free strategy for the photochemical alkylation of dehydroalanine

• , alkyl radicals have been produced from alkyl halides, using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator, promoting a tin-mediated XAT (Figure 1a) [8][9]. However, tin-based compounds are highly toxic and require harsh conditions for the initiation event. Fortunately, a renaissance in the field of

• photochemistry has introduced new ways of generating radicals like photoredox catalysis and via electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes [10][11][12][13]. These advances, coupled with modern electrochemical methods, chemical reactor engineering and light emitting diodes (LED), have eliminated the need for thermal

Controlled oligomerization of [1.1.1]propellane through radical polarity matching: selective synthesis of SF₅- and CF₃SF₄-containing [2]staffanes

• Jón Atiba Buldt,
• Wang-Yeuk Kong,
• Yannick Kraemer,
• Masiel M. Belsuzarri,
• Ansh Hiten Patel,
• James C. Fettinger,
• Dean J. Tantillo and
• Cody Ross Pitts

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3134–3143, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.259

• in the absence of light. Note that recent work from the laboratories of Cahard and Bizet [50] suggests that autoxidation of the ethereal solvent could serve as one possible explanation for initial formation of SF5 radicals in the absence of light to initiate a radical chain reaction. It is also well

• , the carbon-centered radicals in both INT1 and INT4 are closer to strong electron-withdrawing groups than are the radical centers in INT2 and INT5, rendering INT1 and INT4 relatively more electrophilic. Inductive effects drop off steeply with distance, and it is also established that a substituent (or

Advances in the use of metal-free tetrapyrrolic macrocycles as catalysts

• Mandeep K. Chahal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3085–3112, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.257

• of enol acetates with aryldiazonium salts [93]. The excitation of the porphyrin macrocycles by light irradiation initiated the catalytic cycle, generating aryl radicals from the diazonium salts, similar to findings by Gryko and co-workers. They explored both batch and continuous-flow photocatalysis

• resulted in the formation of the product in 60–89% yields and 24–81% yields for 18 and 78, respectively, confirming that even the less energetic red light is sufficient to generate aryl radicals via single-electron transfer (SET) from the excited porphyrin to aryldiazonium salt 79 (Figure 16). Further

Advances in radical peroxidation with hydroperoxides

• Oleg V. Bityukov,
• Pavel Yu. Serdyuchenko,
• Andrey S. Kirillov,
• Gennady I. Nikishin,
• Vera A. Vil’ and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2959–3006, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.249

• Kharasch–Sosnovsky peroxidation became the basic universal platform for the development of peroxidation methods, with its great potential for rapid generation of complexity due to the ability to couple the resulting free radicals with a wide range of partners. This review discusses the recent advances in

• peroxides, oxaziridines, and their derived species are often applied as terminal oxidants [7][8]. The weakness of the O–O bond allows alkoxy radicals to form through homolysis or reduction [9]. The generated alkoxy radicals provide an accessible tool for selective radical cascades, where a variety of

• functional groups can be functionalized for any synthetic need via HAT or β-scission with subsequent C-centered radical formation [10][11][12][13]. Also, peroxy radicals play a key role in the chemistry of the Earth's lower atmosphere [14][15][16]. The traditional approaches to organic peroxide synthesis

Recent advances in transition-metal-free arylation reactions involving hypervalent iodine salts

• Ritu Mamgain,
• Kokila Sakthivel and
• Fateh V. Singh

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2891–2920, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.243

• efficiency and effectiveness as a synthetic approach. Furthermore, a transition-metal-free arylation of quinoxalines 17 and quinoxalinones 19 via aryl radicals was discussed by Li and co-workers in 2022. In this report the aryl radicals were generated by planetary ball milling of diaryliodonium salts 16 at a

• assist in the deprotonation of intermediate II to produce final products 27, while K2S2O8 aids in the oxidation of the photocatalyst in the case of pyridine N-oxide. In another photoinduced reaction procedure, Murarka et al. reported the formation of aryl radicals from a tetrameric electron donor

• and diphenyliodonium triflates 16 using an optimal sulfur dioxide surrogate, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) (DABSO, Scheme 13). The Z-isomer of the desired products was obtained by optimizing the reaction conditions. The involvement of radicals in both the arylation and aryl

Interaction of a pyrene derivative with cationic [60]fullerene in phospholipid membranes and its effects on photodynamic actions

• Hayato Takagi,
• Çetin Çelik,
• Ryosuke Fukuda,
• Qi Guo,
• Tomohiro Higashino,
• Hiroshi Imahori,
• Yoko Yamakoshi and
• Tatsuya Murakami

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2732–2738, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.231

• blue LED lamp. (iii) catC60 5 µM, PyBA 67 µM, NADH 8 mM, Fe(II)-DETAPAC 1 mM, and DMPO 100 mM in PBS(–) under irradiation for 30 min by blue LED lamp. (c) X-band ESR spectra of 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrrolidone-N-oxide (DEPMPO) adduct with undefined radicals (i, ii) or •CH3 (iii, iv

Transition-metal-free decarbonylation–oxidation of 3-arylbenzofuran-2(3H)-ones: access to 2-hydroxybenzophenones

• Bhaskar B. Dhotare,
• Seema V. Kanojia,
• Chahna K. Sakhiya,
• Amey Wadawale and
• Dibakar Goswami

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2655–2667, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.223

• enolization of benzofuranone 3 in the presence of a base produced intermediate A. The latter reacted with hydroperoxide to form B with the concomitant generation of the radicals, which further reacted with intermediate B to form intermediate C. Finally, C is hydrolysed with the release of one molecule CO2 and

Efficient modification of peroxydisulfate oxidation reactions of nitrogen-containing heterocycles 6-methyluracil and pyridine

• Alfiya R. Gimadieva,
• Yuliya Z. Khazimullina,
• Aigiza A. Gilimkhanova and
• Akhat G. Mustafin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2599–2607, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.219

• peroxydisulfate ion, leading to the production of oxygen [39]: Oxygen accumulation is additionally achieved by hydrogen peroxide self-decay, which is known to be increased in alkaline conditions [40]: Additionally, it has been reported [41] that hydroxyl radicals, produced from the decomposition of H2O2, can

• generate sulfate anion radicals (SO4•−) [42] during their interaction with sulfate anions. This reaction occurs at a significant rate (k = 3.1∙108 min−1) [43] and leads to the recombination of peroxydisulfate in the reaction mixture. It has been demonstrated that the efficiency of peroxydisulfate

Transition-metal-free synthesis of arylboronates via thermal generation of aryl radicals from triarylbismuthines in air

• Yuki Yamamoto,
• Yuki Konakazawa,
• Kohsuke Fujiwara and
• Akiya Ogawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2577–2584, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.216

• under transition-metal-free and open-air conditions. Conventional methods required photoirradiation or electrolysis to generate aryl radicals from triarylbismuthines. In this study, it was found that simply heating the solution of triarylbismuthines in benzotrifluoride (BTF) in air successfully led to

• the generation of aryl radicals, and the subsequent reaction with bis(pinacolato)diboron afforded a variety of arylboronates in moderate to good yields. Keywords: arylboronates; bis(pinacolato)diboron; radical reactions; transition-metal-free synthesis; triarylbismuthines; Introduction Arylboronates

• diborons can capture the in situ-generated carbon-centered radicals [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. Among the aryl sources in organic synthesis, triarylbismuthines are shelf-stable and easy-to-handle reagents with appropriate reactivities in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions and radical reactions

A review of recent advances in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical late-stage functionalization classified by anodic oxidation, cathodic reduction, and paired electrolysis

• Nian Li,
• Ruzal Sitdikov,
• Ajit Prabhakar Kale,
• Joost Steverlynck,
• Bo Li and
• Magnus Rueping

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2500–2566, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.214

• functionalization method where primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl radicals can be readily generated through the sequential anodic oxidative fragmentation of alkyl carbazates, enabling the functionalization of N-heteroarenes [7]. This transformation is particularly valuable as the cleavage of the C–O bond to

• sulfamidyl radicals via a concerted proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). This process occurs after the formation of a hydrogen bond between dibenzenesulfonimide and n-Bu4NOAc. The formed sulfamidyl radical can directly react with the (hetero)aromatic ring. Subsequent anodic oxidation produces a

• including ibuprofen, febuxostat, and gemfibrozil, achieving moderate to good yields. The proposed mechanism involves the oxidation and deprotonation of NHPI at the cathode to form phthalimide-N-oxyl (PINO) radicals. These PINO radicals act as HAT reagents, abstracting a hydrogen atom from the Si–H bond of

Photoredox-catalyzed intramolecular nucleophilic amidation of alkenes with β-lactams

• Valentina Giraldi,
• Giandomenico Magagnano,
• Daria Giacomini,
• Pier Giorgio Cozzi and
• Andrea Gualandi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2461–2468, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.210

• ; Introduction Access to nitrogen radicals for the functionalization of alkenes is a field under active investigation [1][2][3][4], as it gives the possibility to directly introduce nitrogen into an alkyl chain (alkene carboamination) to obtain valuable nitrogen-containing molecules [5][6]. Among several N

• -centered radicals, such as aminyl, amidyl, or iminyl radicals, N-heterocyclic amidyl radicals were largely underinvestigated despite their importance as intermediates or relevant N-heterocyclic products in medicinal chemistry [7][8][9][10]. Recently, photoredox catalysis has emerged as a novel area of

• -amidyl radicals uses activated N–O amide derivatives capable of generating amidyl radicals through fragmentation [18][19]. The direct formation of amidyl radicals in the presence of a carbon alkyl chain could lead to a competitive 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (1,5-HAT) [20][21][22], limiting the direct

Synthesis, electrochemical properties, and antioxidant activity of sterically hindered catechols with 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-triazole, thiazole or pyridine fragments

• Daria A. Burmistrova,
• Andrey Galustyan,
• Nadezhda P. Pomortseva,
• Kristina D. Pashaeva,
• Maxim V. Arsenyev,
• Oleg P. Demidov,
• Mikhail A. Kiskin,
• Andrey I. Poddel’sky,
• Nadezhda T. Berberova and
• Ivan V. Smolyaninov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2378–2391, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.202

• antioxidant properties were determined using the reaction with synthetic radicals, the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assay, the inhibition process of superoxide radical anion formation by xanthine oxidase, and the process of lipid peroxidation of rat liver (Wistar) homogenates in vitro. Keywords