Sulfur chemistry in action. New perspectives for organic synthesis

Abstract

The radical chemistry based on organosulfur derivatives constitutes a powerful tool for solving synthetic problems. The present short overview discusses a method for the contra-thermodynamic isomerization of trisubstituted cycloalkenes into the less stable disubstituted regioisomer. It also describes the use of xanthates as radical precursors for the synthesis and modification of ketones and for accessing a wide range of boronates.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Alkene isomerization
• radial addition
• xanthates
• ketones
• boronates

Dedication and acknowledgments

This article is dedicated with respect and admiration to Professor Pierre Deslongchamps (Université Laval, Québec). I wish to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Dr Béatrice Sire for contributing decisively to many of our projects and to my students and post-doctoral collaborators for making this chemistry possible. Last, but not least, I wish to thank all the agencies and industries that have funded us over the years.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.