Radical cyclization in heterocycle synthesis. 12. Sulfanyl radical addition-addition-cyclization (SRAAC) of unbranched diynes and its application to the synthesis of A-ring fragment of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Sulfanyl radical addition-addition-cyclization (SRAAC) of unbranched diynes proceeded smoothly to give cyclized exo-olefins, while the sulfanyl radical addition-cyclization-addition (SRACA) of diynes having a quaternary carbon gave cyclized endo-olefins. This method was successfully applied to the synthesis of A-ring fragment of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.