The rapid generation of molecular complexity from simple starting materials is of paramount importance in synthetic chemistry. The unique combination of high reactivity and high selectivity often associated with open-shell intermediates makes radical chemistry ideal for cascade reactions, in which simple substrates undergo a series of processes involving bond formation (and bond cleavage) to give complex, high-value products. Crucially, radical cascade reactions can greatly diminish the time, cost and amount of waste associated with complex target synthesis. Recent exciting advances in the field of radical chemistry initiated by single electron transfer (SET) have led to a considerable upward shift in our ability to design powerful new cascade reactions. This Review highlights recent advances in the development of radical cascades, triggered by SET processes, that deliver molecular constructs of importance in medicine and biology.

从简单的起始材料快速产生分子复杂性在合成化学中至关重要。高反应性和高选择性的独特组合通常与开壳中间体相关联，使自由基化学成为级联反应的理想选择，在该级联反应中，简单的底物经历一系列涉及键形成（和键裂解）的过程，以生成复杂的高价值产品。至关重要的是，自由基级联反应可以大大减少与复杂靶标合成相关的时间，成本和废物数量。由单电子转移（SET）引发的自由基化学领域的最新激动人心的进展已导致我们设计强大的新级联反应的能力有了很大的提高。这篇评论重点介绍了基本级联的最新进展，