Expedient synthesis of 3-phenylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentan-1-amine via metal-free homolytic aromatic alkylation of benzeneElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4cc09655j

Recently, the potential utility of the BCP motif, as a contemporary lead optimization tactic, has generated substantial interest in medicinal chemistry. To facilitate this inquisitiveness, the concomitant development of efficient synthetic protocols is crucial. The following work discloses a new, expedient and versatile approach to one such potentially useful BCP derivative. The inquisitiveness on the use of the BCP motif as a modern lead optimization tactic entails reliable synthetic access. In that direction, we disclose a new and versatile approach to 3-phenylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentan-1-amine, via metal-free homolytic alkylation of benzene.