Harnessing radical mediated reactions of thioacids for organic synthesis

Abstract

Thiyl radical mediated reactions are of burgeoning importance for organic synthesis. This Feature Article focuses specifically on thioacid- and thioacetate-derived thiyl radicals as versatile intermediates for the synthesis of a diverse range of organic compounds under mild conditions with a high degree of chemo-, regio- and diastereoselectivity. We review recent developments in the field, including novel approaches for radical initiation, strategies for the synthesis of a wide range of functional groups, peptide and glycan diversification, protein labelling and radical dethiocarboxylation. We outline our own contributions to the field over several years, including concomitant strategies to furnish native peptide bonds and discuss the future directions of this field.