A vinylogous Norrish reaction as a strategy for light-mediated ring expansion

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Feb 24;58(17):2910-2913. doi: 10.1039/d2cc00513a.

Abstract

The reactions of bicyclic divinyl ketones display wavelength-dependent changes in product formation. UV irradiation results in the formation of competitive [6,3,5] and [7,3,5] tricyclic unsaturated ketones that subsequently undergo ring expansion and reaction with a range of nucleophiles. DFT calculations and transient absorption experiments were completed that are consistent with a vinylogous Type II Norrish pathway.