An efficient flow-photochemical synthesis of 5H-furanones leads to an understanding of torquoselectivity in cyclobutenone rearrangements

David C. Harrowven*, Mubina Mohamed, Théo P. Gonçalves, Richard J. Whitby, David Bolien, Helen F. Sneddon

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    49 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Go with the flow: 4-Hydroxycyclobutenones were efficiently transformed into 5H-furanones using an inexpensive flow-photochemical setup. The results challenge the notion that this and the related thermochemical rearrangement display torquoselectivity in their electrocyclic opening to a vinylketene intermediate. Selectivity in the photochemical rearrangement is due a dichotomous reactivity of the (E)- and (Z)-vinylketene intermediates (see scheme).

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)4405-4408
    Number of pages4
    JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
    Volume51
    Issue number18
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Apr 27 2012

    Keywords

    • cyclobutenones
    • density functional calculations
    • photochemistry
    • rearrangements
    • small ring systems

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Catalysis
    • General Chemistry

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