Vitamin B12 catalyzed radical cyclizations of arylalkenes

The use of vitamin B-12 for synthetic organic transformations has been extensively studied. Herein, we report the intra-molecular cyclization reaction of a series of arylalkene substrates catalyzed by vitamin B-12. These reactions proceed in good yields in environmentally benign solvents and do not require the use of a toxic heavy metal catalyst. Variation of the reaction pH call predictably after the product distribution.