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Abstract: Cycloalkanols prove to be privileged precursors for the synthesis of distally substituted alkyl ketones and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by virtue of cleavage of their cyclic C−C bonds. Direct functionalization of cyclobutanols to build up other chemical bonds (e. g., C−F, C−Cl, C−Br, C−N, C−S, C−Se, C−C, etc.) has been achieved by using the ring‐opening strategy. Mechanistically, the C−C cleavage of cyclobutanols can be involved in two pathways: (a) transition‐metal catalyzed β‐carbon elimination; (b) radical‐mediated ‘radical clock’‐type ring opening. The recent advances of our group for the ring‐opening functionalization of tertiary cycloalkanols are described in this account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel C−C bond-forming strategy employing manganese-catalyzed ring-opening of cyclobutanol substrates, followed by cyanation or ethynylation, is described. A cyano C1 unit and ethynyl C2 unit are regiospecifically introduced to the γ-position of ketones at room temperature, providing a mild yet powerful method for production of elusive aliphatic nitriles and alkynes. All transformations described are based on a common sequence: 1) oxidative ring-opening of cyclobutanol substrates by C−C bond cleavage; 2) radical addition to triple bonds bearing an arylsulfonyl group; and 3) radical-mediated C−S bond cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first iridium-catalyzed intermolecular cyclization between alkynes and ring-fused benzocyclobutenols (RBCB) through C−C bond cleavage is described. A variety of elusive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with multiple substituents are obtained in good yields under mild conditions. This procedure provides a unique and expeditious tool for the synthesis of PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, manganese-catalyzed oxidative azidation of cyclobutanols is described. A wide range of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl azides were generated in synthetically useful yields and exclusive regioselectivity. Aside from linear alkyl azides, otherwise elusive medium-sized cyclic azides were also readily prepared. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction likely proceeds by a radical-mediated CC bond cleavage/CN3 bond formation pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review: [20 refs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diverse range of primary or secondary alkyl thioethers is prepared in a scalable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and general C-C bond-forming strategy employing manganese-catalyzed ring-opening cyanation or ethynylation of cyclobutanols is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]