Radical Chemistry: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Reactive free radicals were recogriized as important intermediates in organic chemistry during the 1930's. By the early 1970's, most features of structure and reactivity were understood, and had even been placed on a reasonably secure quantitative foundation. It was, however, only slowly that this understanding was formulated by organic chemists into valuable synthetic methodology. In parallel with these more recent developments in chemical application, there has been recognition that radical intermediates are important both in aspects of human disease, and in vital enzyme-mediated biochemical transformations. Important future directions seem likely to include development of a deeper understanding of biologically relevant processes, and, in organic chemistry, of even greater control, notably stereocontrol, of synthetically useful reactions.