The radical reactions of imine radicals produced from the metal salts oxidation of 2-amino-1,4-benzoquinones

The metal salts mediated oxidative free radical reaction of 2-amino-1,4-benzoquinones is described. Imine radicals can be generated by the oxidation of 2-amino-1,4-benzoquinones with Mn(III) and Ag(II). The dimeric products 4 and 14 were formed via the intermolecular radical coupling reaction of the corresponding radical intermediates 5 and 15. In the presence of styrene, twistane 17 was afforded from 2-phenylamino-1,4-benzoquinone 1 via a radical annulation reaction of imine radical 5.