A new catalytic procedure for atom-transfer radical addition (ATRA) and cyclization (ATRC) reactions is described. The combination of the ruthenium(III) complex [RuCl(2)Cp*(PPh3)] (Cp*: pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with magnesium allows these reactions to be performed under mild conditions with high efficiency. In most cases, the catalyst concentrations required are significantly lower than those used
Several omega-alkenyl dichloroacetates cyclize in moderate to excellent yields to 3,5-dichloro-oxocan-2-ones (8-membered ring lactones) when heated in benzene at 80-180-degrees-C in the presence of a catalytic amount of the cuprous chloride 2,2'-bipyridine complex.