Inter- and intramolecular additions of alkyl radicals, generated by SET photochemical decarboxylation reactions of free carboxylic acids, to electron-deficient alkenes take place under mild conditions as part of efficient routes for the formation of N-Boc gamma-amino acids and macrocyclic lactones.

Preparation of γ-Amino Acids and Macrocyclic Lactones. -Alkyl free radicals, generated from carboxylic acids via a photochemically promoted SET-decarboxylation, undergo inter-and intramolecular additions to electron-deficient alkenes. The reactions proceed under mild conditions to generate N-Boc-γ-amino acids starting from N-Boc-α-amino acids. Macrocyclic lactones of various ring sizes can be obtained using a stepwise ring enlargement that is based on the radical cyclization methodology.