<p>This thesis describes how radical cyclization chemistry can be applied for the construction of heterocyclic compounds.</p><p>In the first part, a series of electron deficient α-phenylselenenylalkenes were prepared <i>via</i> a PhSeCl-addition/HCl-elimination sequence. Allyl- and propargylamines readily underwent conjugate addition to these species to produce pyrrolidines or dihydropyrrol derivatives, after triethylborane initiated reductive radical cyclization in the presence of tris(trimethylsilyl)silane.</p><p>The second part describes a convergent synthesis of the pineal hormone melatonin. The indole nucleus is secured <i>via</i> a tris(trimethylsilyl)silane mediated<i> 5-exo</i> radical cyclization. The protocol provides convenient and simple access to compounds useful for studies of biological activity and structure activity relationships.</p><p>The third part describes construction of substituted tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones. Regioselective ring-opening of epoxides or aziridines with benzeneselenolate/tellurolate, followed by Michael addition to electron deficient alkynes afforded the corresponding O/N-vinylated compounds. The tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones were secured <i>via </i>radical carbonylation/reductive cyclization using pressurized carbon monoxide (80 atm).</p><p>The fourth part is concerned with the effect of an N-protecting group on the cyclization of 2-substituted-3-aza-5-hexenyl radicals. Relative energies for reactants and transition states were determined using density functional calculations. Reactant and transition state conformers leading to <i>cis</i>-product were lower in energy than those leading to<i> trans</i>-product. The results can be explained by the unfavorable 1,2-strain present in chair-equatorial and boat-equatorial conformers.</p>

This thesis describes how radical cyclization chemistry can be applied for the construction of heterocyclic compounds. In the first part, a series of electron deficient α-phenylselenenylalkenes were prepared via a PhSeCl-addition/HCl-elimination sequence. Allyl- and propargylamines readily underwent conjugate addition to these species to produce pyrrolidines or dihydropyrrol derivatives, after triethylborane initiated reductive radical cyclization in the presence of tris(trimethylsilyl)silane. The second part describes a convergent synthesis of the pineal hormone melatonin. The indole nucleus is secured via a tris(trimethylsilyl)silane mediated 5-exo radical cyclization. The protocol provides convenient and simple access to compounds useful for studies of biological activity and structure activity relationships. The third part describes construction of substituted tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones. Regioselective ring-opening of epoxides or aziridines with benzeneselenolate/tellurolate, followed by Michael addition to electron deficient alkynes afforded the corresponding O/N-vinylated compounds. The tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones were secured via radical carbonylation/reductive cyclization using pressurized carbon monoxide (80 atm). The fourth part is concerned with the effect of an N-protecting group on the cyclization of 2-substituted-3-aza-5-hexenyl radicals. Relative energies for reactants and transition states were determined using density functional calculations. Reactant and transition state conformers leading to cis-product were lower in energy than those leading to trans-product. The results can be explained by the unfavorable 1,2-strain present in chair-equatorial and boat-equatorial conformers.