Electron transfer driven addition of ketimine derived radicals to arene-Cr(CO)(3) complexes

The first examples of SmI2 mediated radical cyclizations of ketimines have been achieved with eta(6)-arene-Cr(CO)(3) complexes bearing ketimine sidech ains. The cyclization products were obtained in high yield and with signifi cant diastereoselectivity. The reactions seem to proceed via addition of az aketyl-type radicals to the complexed arenes to form 17 VE intermediates wh ich are trapped by single electron transfer to give the corresponding (anio nic) 18 VE species.