S-(3-Chloro-2-oxo-propyl)-O-ethyl xanthate: a linchpin radical coupling agent for the synthesis of heterocyclic and polycyclic compounds.

The preparation and use of S-(3-chloro-2-oxo-propyl)-O-ethyl xanthate to directly introduce an alpha-chloroketone motif is described, along with applications for the synthesis of heterocyclic and polycyclic structures.