Cyclization of methyl-substituted 6-heptenyl radicals.

[reaction: see text] The behavior of a series of methyl-substituted 6-heptenyl radicals, generated from the corresponding iodides ((Me(3)Si)(3)SiH, AIBN in benzene at 80 degrees C), has been investigated. The stereoselectivity of the 6-exo cyclizations, affording dimethylcyclohexanes, is low, and sizable quantities of methylcycloheptane, generated via 7-endo cyclization, are also produced.