Abstract
The preparation and use of α-(acyloxy)alkyl xanthates to generate and capture α-(acyloxy)alkyl radicals is briefly reviewed. Their inter- and intramolecular additions to both activated and unactivated, electronically unbiased, alkenes, and to (hetero)aromatic rings, as well as their radical allylation and vinylation reactions are described. Application to the total synthesis of two 4-hydroxytetralone natural products is also presented.