Radical and Cation Crossover Reaction System Enables Synthesis of Complex Aliphatic Chains Possessing Functionalized Quaternary Carbons

Controlling the reactive species during the synthesis of complex aliphatic chains containing a quaternary carbon is incredibly difficult. In this paper, we efficiently controlled both radical and cationic species in the presence of a copper catalyst. This radical-polar crossover reaction system enables the three-component coupling of styrenes, alcohols, and α-bromocarbonyl compounds as a tertiary alkyl source at room temperature. Mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction contains both radical and cationic species.