Tailoring flavins for visible light photocatalysis: organocatalytic [2+2] cycloadditions mediated by a flavin derivative and visible light

Chem Commun (Camb). 2015 Aug 4;51(60):12036-9. doi: 10.1039/c5cc01344e.

Abstract

A new application of flavin derivatives in visible light photocatalysis was found. 1-Butyl-7,8-dimethoxy-3-methylalloxazine, when irradiated by visible light, was shown to allow an efficient cyclobutane ring formation via an intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of both styrene dienes, considered as electron-rich substrates, and electron-poor bis(arylenones), presumably proceeding via an energy transfer mechanism.