Trifluoroacetic acid: a unique solvent for atom transfer radical cyclization reactions

Abstract

Triethylborane-initiated atom transfer radical cyclization reactions of various allyl or 3-butenyl iodoacetates could be efficiently carried out at room temperature with trifluoroacetic acid as the solvent. Compared to water as the solvent, trifluoroacetic acid has better solubility for organic substrates and might also function as an acid catalyst.