EDA complex directed N-centred radical generation from nitrosoarenes: a divergent synthetic approach.

A metal-free strategy for the generation of N-centred radicals from nitrosoarenes (activated by allylsulfones) via electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes is reported. The EDA complex initiates a single electron transfer (SET) process via diisopropylethylamine (iPr2NEt) or a Hantzsch ester (HE). This mild and operationally simple protocol, initiated by the formation of a C-N bond, can conclude to either isoxazolidine or aziridine derivatives or can result in β-amino acid derivatives.