Tetrahydrophthalic Anhydride and Imide: Remarkably Efficient Partners in Photochemical [2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions With Alkenols and Alkynols

Abstract

Intermolecular photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition of a variety of alken- and alkyn-3-ols with 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (THPA) and the related imide 4 gave the corresponding cyclobutanes and cyclobutenes in high yield, after relatively short irradiation times, with stereoselectivities as high as 10:1 for the cyclobutane examples.