Recent Advances in the Synthesis of β-Functionalized Ketones by Radical-Mediated 1,2-Rearrangement of Allylic Alcohols.

β-Functionalized ketones are a highly important and valuable class of compounds that have gained increasing attention from organic chemists due to their intensive uses as versatile synthetic intermediates and building blocks in complex molecule assembly and natural product synthesis. Accordingly, there is continuing interest in the development of new approaches for the synthesis of β-functionalized ketones. In recent years, radical-mediated 1,2-rearrangement reactions of allylic alcohols, which proceed through cationic (semipinacol) rearrangements or radical (neophyl) rearrangements, have presented an attractive and powerful strategy to access various diversely β-functionalized ketones. Interestingly, this strategy allows for the direct installation of a variety of valuable functional groups at the β-position of cyclic and acyclic ketones by employing different radical precursors. However, a review focusing on the preparation of β-functionalized ketones by radical-mediated 1,2-rearrangement reactions of allylic alcohols has not been summarized to date. This Minireview highlights recent progress made in this highly active and interesting research area, and the corresponding mechanisms will also be discussed.