Hydrogen atom transfer from 1,2- and 1,3-diols to the cumyloxyl radical. The role of structural effects on metal-ion induced C-H bond deactivation.

Strong C-H bond deactivation toward HAT has been observed in the reactions of the cumyloxyl radical with 1,2- and 1,3-diols, following addition of Li+ and Ca2+. Weaker effects have been observed with Mg2+. The role of the substrate structure and of the metal ion in the formation of Lewis acid-base complexes is discussed.