Radical chain reactions of α-azido ketones with tributyltin hydride: reduction vs nitrogen insertion and 1,2-hydrogen shift in the intermediate N-stannylaminyl radicals

The radical chain reactions of a variety of acyclic and cyclic α-azido ketones with tributyltin hydride have been investigated. The derived N-(tributylstannyl)aminyl radicals normally undergo H-abstraction reaction yielding corresponding amines, and thence symmetrical pyrazines by subsequent self-condensation, in competition with 1,2-H-migration from the α-carbon to nitrogen leading to α-imino ketone decomposition products with loss of the chain-carrying tributyltin radical. The noteworthy occurrence of a quite uncommon radical 1,2-hydrogen-atom shift is considered to be largely due to consequent formation of a highly stable, captodative carbon-centred radical. In contrast with our previous N-stannylaminyl radicals produced from α-azido-β-keto esters, the present aminyl congeners give poor amounts (or even none) of nitrogen-inserted amides/lactams, which are envisaged to arise from intramolecular three-membered cyclisation onto the ketone moiety followed by β-scission of the resultant alkoxyl radical. It is inferred that adequate stabilisation of the eventual ring-opened carbon radical be a major factor for the successful outcome of the regiospecific nitrogen insertion process. Evidence is also presented that chemoselective attack of tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl radical to the ketone oxygen of an α-azido ketone gives rise to deazidation as a likely consequence of β-elimination of azidyl radical by the ensuing α-silyloxyalkyl radical. X-Ray crystal structure analyses of the bromo ketone , the azido ketone , the caprolactam , and the pyrazine have been performed.