Spin-center
shift
(SCS) is a radical process involving 1,2-radical
translocation along with a two-electron ionic movement, such as elimination
of an adjacent leaving group. Such a process was initially observed
in some important biochemical transformations, and the unique property
has also attracted considerable interest in synthetic chemistry. Experimental,
kinetic, as well as computational studies have been performed, and
a series of useful radical transformations have been developed and
applied in organic synthesis based on SCS processes in the last 20
years. This Perspective is an overview of radical transformations
involving the SCS mechanism.