C–Centered Radicals: Generation, Detection, Stability and Perspectives

Abstract

C–Centered radicals are one of the classical reactive intermediates that have shown enormous utility in organic synthesis. Besides homolytic bond cleavages, the advancements of electron transfer-based photoredox and electroredox processes are popular choices for their generation and synthetic explorations. Considering the widespread attention and versatility of C-centered radicals in several fields, a systematic understanding of structural, stability, and reactivity aspects is crucial for the further development and futuristic applications of radical chemistry. In this regard, several topics pertaining to the generation, detection, and studies relevant to radical chemistry in general and thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the C-centered radicals specifically, with a major emphasis on physical organic chemistry aspects, are presented. Besides portraying the factors governing their stability and reactivity, this contribution also discusses their challenges and perspectives.