β-Scission of Alkoxy Radicals in Synthetic Transformations

The C–C bond located at the β-position of an alkoxy radical readily breaks to form an alkyl radical along with a carbonyl compound. Such processes are called β-scission or β-fragmentation. They possibly proceed without any assistance of ring strain, and have recently attracted renewed attention as the key elementary step to transform alcohols in a unique fashion. Summarized in this Highlight Review are synthetic transformations of alcohols through β-scission of alkoxy radical intermediates. The C–C bond located at the β-position of an alkoxy radical readily breaks to form an alkyl radical along with a carbonyl compound. Such processes are called β-scission or β-fragmentation. They possibly proceed without any assistance of ring strain, and therefore, have recently attracted renewed attention as the key elementary step to transform alcohols in a unique fashion. Summarized in this Highlight Review are synthetic transformations of alcohol through β-scission of alkoxy radical intermediates.