DPPF-Catalyzed Atom-Transfer Radical Cyclization via Allylic Radical.

A general iron-catalyzed strategy for the atom-transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) of allylic halide is reported. Critical to this strategy is the use of DPPF [1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene] as catalyst, which allows for efficient generation of the allylic radical species via a single-electron transfer (SET) process. The feasibility of achieving ATRC reactions of propargyl chlorides is also demonstrated, which affords products with an exocyclic allene moiety.