Photocatalytic Addition Reactions of Ketene Silyl Acetals with Alkenes through Formation of α-Carbonyl Radicals

Addition reactions of ketene silyl acetals with alkenes that do not have an electron-withdrawing group are generally difficult because the nucleophilicity of ketene silyl acetals and the electrophilicity of alkenes are not sufficient. Herein, we report photocatalytic addition reactions of ketene silyl acetals with alkenes that proceed through formation of α-carbonyl radicals. In the presence of an appropriate protic additive, the reactions proceeded smoothly under blue-light irradiation to afford the desired products in moderate to high yields.

The Paternò–Büchi reaction – a comprehensive review

This review represents the most complete description of the scientific results obtained on a photochemical reaction described 110 years ago by an Italian scientist.

Oxetane synthesis through the Paternò-Büchi reaction

The Paternò-Büchi reaction is a photochemical reaction between a carbonyl compound and an alkene to give the corresponding oxetane. In this review the mechanism of the reaction is discussed. On this basis the described use in the reaction with electron rich alkenes (enolethers, enol esters, enol silyl ethers, enanines, heterocyclic compounds has been reported. The stereochemical behavior of the reaction is particularly stressed. We pointed out the reported applications of this reaction to the synthesis of naturally occuring compounds.

Photoaddition reactions of 1,2-diketones with silyl ketene acetals. formation of beta-hydroxy-gamma-ketoesters

Photochemical reactions taking place between 1,2-diketones and silyl ketene acetals and their excited state reaction mechanisms have been explored. Irradiation of benzene, acetone, or acetonitrile solutions containing 1,2-diketones and silyl ketene acetals is observed to promote formation of 1,4-dioxenes, resulting from [4 + 2]-cycloaddition, oxetanes, arising by Paterno-Buchi processes, and beta-hydroxy-gamma-ketoesters, generated by SET-promoted Claisen-type condensation. These competitive pathways leading from the excited states of the 1,2-diketones to these products are influenced by solvent polarity and the nature of the silyl ketene acetal and 1,2-diketone. The Claisen-type condensation process, following an SET desilylation pathway and predominating when the photoreactions are carried out in the polar solvent acetonitrile, represents an efficient method to prepare a variety of diversely substituted beta-hydoxy-gamma-ketoesters.