Radical cyclisation onto pyrazoles: synthesis of withasomnine

A novel synthetic protocol for the synthesis of [1,2-b]-fused bicyclic pyrazoles has been developed using radical cyclisation. The protocol uses cyclisation of pyrazole-1-(ω-alkyl) radicals generated from 1-[ω-(phenylselenyl)alkyl]-pyrazole precursors. The pyrazole natural product, withasomnine (3-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazole), and larger ring analogues have been synthesised in good yield using the protocol. A Bu3SnH-mediated oxidative cyclisation mechanism is facilitated by azo or Et3B radical initiators acting as oxidants of the intermediate π-radicals.