3d Metal-catalyzed single electron transfer induced conversion of carboxylic acids and their equivalents

This Account article describes the latest developments on the 3d metal catalyzed SET-induced strategies that use carboxylic acids and their synthetic equivalents as the substrate. In general, 3d metal-promoted SET-mediated transformations of free carboxylic acids proceed readily via the formation of carboxylate radicals and those of carboxylic acid equivalents, bearing an N-donor substituent, proceed via the formation of α-carbo radicals. The advantages of these strategies combine the low-cost of carboxylic acid starting materials and 3d metal catalysts with the scope of realizing structurally diversified compound range in atom- and step-economic manner. Developments primarily achieved by our group and a few by others on the title topic have been illustrated in this Account article.