Effect of Lewis acids and low temperature initiators on the allyl transfer reaction involving phthalimido-N-oxyl radical

Previously, we reported allyl transfer reactions of allyl bromide and allyl phthalimido-N-oxyl substrates with hydrocarbons that result in CC bond formation. In both cases, efficient chain transfer processes along with high reaction yields were observed. Since PINO chemistry leads to an environmentally friendly method of hydrocarbon functionalization, additional studies were performed in order to improve the process. To expand the utility of this reaction, we carried out experiments to optimize reaction conditions and tested the effect of Lewis acids and low temperature initiators. Although allyl-PINO substrates reacted slightly slower than the bromides, the reactions were cleaner with little or no side products. The chain lengths for these reactions were compromised at lower temperatures, attributable to the high activation energy required for the hydrogen atom abstraction by PINO. The addition of a Lewis acid catalyst (AlCl3) improves the product yield and reaction rate, possibly due to the formation of a PINO/AlCl3 complex which lowers the activation energy for hydrogen abstraction step.