Environmentally friendly TPDS-mediated free radical ring expansion of α-haloalkyl cyclic β-keto esters

Reactivities of tetraphenyldisilane (TPDS), tris(trimethylsilyl)silane, and tributyltin hydride in the radical ring expansion of α-haloalkyl cyclic β-keto esters were examined. Among these reagents, TPDS was found most effective for the preparation of medium-sized cyclic compounds in terms of yields and ring-expansion/reduction selectivity.