Selective Cα–O bond cleavage of α,β-epoxy ketones to aldols induced by free radical processes
Abstract
Several α,β-epoxy ketones were converted to aldols in good yields upon irradiation or heating with azoisobutyronitrile in the presence of tributyltin hydride in benzene; the reactions involve selective Cα–O bond cleavage of the oxiranylmethyl radicals derived from these substances.