Intermolecular radical oxyalkylation of arynes with alkenes and TEMPO

Radical transformations with arynes represent an underexplored research field and only a few examples have been disclosed. In this research article, the implementation of arynes in three-component reactions with TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl) and activated alkenes is demonstrated. TEMPO is added to arynes, which triggers a Meerwein-type arylation cascade where the final alkyl radial is eventually trapped by a second equivalent of TEMPO. This method is applicable to activated alkenes such as electron-deficient acrylates, styrenes and also vinyl acetate to provide various bisalkoxyamines. This work is a contribution to the emerging field of radical aryne chemistry.