PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Radical ions generated by single-electron transfer from neutral organic compounds are known as important intermediates in a variety of interesting chemical processes and reactions. Our aim in this article will be to provide a comprehensive review of the design and application of cyclization reactions that utilize radical ions as reactive intermediates. Examples from the last ten years will be reported and mechanistic aspects will be discussed critically. The cyclization reactions are classified into three categories regardless of the method of generating of the reactive species. After a brief introduction, cyclization reactions via radical cations are described. The subsequent category is devoted to radical-anion-mediated cyclization reactions. The last category includes cyclization reactions via reactive intermediates containing both radical anions and radical cations.