Nitriles and Carbonyl Groupsas Acceptors in Titanocene-Catalyzed Radical Cyclizations

A catalytic approach to the titanocene-mediated radical cyclization of epoxy nitriles and epoxy carbonyl compounds to hydroxy ketones and diols is described. The reaction is sensitive to the substitution pattern of the catalyst and especially useful for the preparation of cyclobutanones. It can also be used for nitrile group transfer.