Recent advances in N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed radical reactions

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed reactions involving two-electron reaction pathway have been well-established. However, the development of NHC-catalyzed radical reactions is still in its infancy in terms of reaction types and enantioselectivity. In the past decade, several elegant NHC-catalyzed radical reactions have been developed, including NHC-catalyzed oxidation of aldehydes to esters, reductive coupling reactions using Breslow intermediate as SET reductant and NHC-catalyzed reactions via radical homoenolates, dienoaltes and trienolates. This review summarizes the recent advances in NHC-catalyzed reactions involving radical intermediates. (C) 2020 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed reactions involving two-electron and radical pathways have been well-established, with the former more developed than the latter in terms of reaction types and enantioselectivity. In the past decade, several elegant NHC-catalyzed radical reactions have been developed, including oxidation of aldehydes, reductive coupling reactions, and reactions via radical homoenolates.