Chemo- and Stereoselective Intermolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes using Colloidal Nanocrystal Photocatalysts

Chem Catal. 2021 Jun 17;1(1):106-116. doi: 10.1016/j.checat.2021.02.001. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Abstract

The use of visible-light photosensitizers to power [2+2] photocycloadditions that produce complex tetrasubstituted cyclobutanes is a true success of photochemistry, but the scope of this reaction has been limited to activated α, β-unsaturated carbonyls. This paper describes selective intermolecular homo- and hetero-[2+2] photocycloadditions of terminal and internal aryl conjugated dienes - substrates historically unsuited for this reaction because of their multiple possible reaction pathways and product configurations - through triplet-triplet energy transfer from CdSe nanocrystal photocatalysts, to generate valuable and elusive syn-trans aryl vinylcyclobutanes. The negligible singlet-triplet splitting of nanocrystals' excited states allows them to drive the [2+2] pathway over the competing [4+2] photoredox pathway, a chemoselectivity not achievable with any known molecular photosensitizer. Reversible tethering of the cyclobutane product to the nanocrystal surface results in near quantitative yield of the syn-trans product. Flat colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets produce cyclobutanes coupled at the terminal alkenes of component dienes with up to 89% regioselectivity.