Part 3. Triethylborane-air: a suitable initiator for intermolecular radical additions of S-2-oxoalkyl-thionocarbonates (S-xanthates) to olefins

Under carefully controlled conditions, the triethylborane-air combination proves to be an efficient radical initiator that allows intermolecular radical additions of S-2-oxoalkyl-thionocarbonates (S-xanthates) to olefins. Depending on both the structures of the xanthate and the olefin, the addition process can be achieved at room temperature or slightly higher.