Striking Difference between Succinimidomethyl and Phthalimidomethyl Radicals in Conjugate Addition to Alkylidenemalonate Initiated by Dimethylzinc

We used dimethylzinc to develop a conjugate addition reaction of imidomethyl radicals to alkylidenemalonates, in which we observed a significant difference between succinimidomethyl and phthalimidomethyl radicals. This reaction provides new access to gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives, which often function as neurotransmitters.