Introduction of functionalized C1, C2, and C3 units to imines through the dimethylzinc-air-initiated radical addition.

Introduction of functionalized C1, C2, and C3 units to imines was achieved by using the dimethylzinc-air-initiated alpha-alkoxyalkyl radical addition as a key reaction. The addition to a C[double bond]N double bond chemoselectively occurred in the presence of a C[double bond]O double bond, which is one of the advantages of this radical addition reaction over ionic addition reactions.