Acetal Radicals: Synthetic Access and Applications

Abstract

Aldehydes and ketones are two of the most versatile functional groups in organic synthesis, and the development of new reagents and protocols to install them are always warranted. Recently, the reemergence of radical chemistry has provided new opportunities to introduce these important carbonyl motifs. As such, acetal radicals can be employed as synthetic radical equivalents for acyl radicals that can also circumvent known stability challenges. This review aims to summarize the advancements and known uses of acetal radicals, as well as explore acetal radical formation and synthetic applications.