Radical-chain reductive carboxyalkylation of electron-rich alkenes: carbon–carbon bond formation mediated by silanes in the presence of thiols as polarity-reversal catalysts

Abstract

The reductive carboxyalkylation of electron-rich alkenes by α-halogenoesters in the presence of triphenylsilane under free-radical conditions is catalysed by thiols: prochiral alkenes give optically-active adducts when the thiol catalyst is homochiral.