Synthesizing Complex Quaternary Carbons by the Sequence-Regulated Additions of tert-Alkyl Radicals to Two Different Olefins

Abstract

We report the sequence-regulated radical additions of tert-alkyl radicals to two different olefins controlled by a Cu catalyst, which we term the “atom-transfer radical addition–substitution” reaction. The reactions of α-bromocarbonyl compounds, such as tert-alkyl radical sources, with methacrylates and styrenes occur in a sequence-regulated manner to give the corresponding three-component product possessing skipped quaternary carbon centers. Our method provides new insight into how to control the reactivities of tert-alkyl radicals during the synthesis of regulated aliphatic chains.