Cyclization/Oxygenation Scheme for the Conversion of Polyenes into C3-Oxygenated Polycycles

Oxidatively induced halogenation and oxygenation reactions of complex Pt(II) organometallic complexes provide a route to a catalytic cation-olefin cyclization/oxygenation sequence. The evidence suggests the involvement of a Pt(III) intermediate, which reacts homolytically to generate an organic free radical that can be intercepted by O-2 followed by the Russell breakdown of the resulting alkyl peroxy radicals or by CuX2 (X = Br, Cl) to yield the X-R product.