Synthesis 2016; 48(12): 1782-1802
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1561425
short review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Photochemical Electron and Hydrogen Transfer in Organic Synthesis: The Control of Selectivity

Norbert Hoffmann*
CNRS, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ICMR, Equipe de Photochimie, UFR Sciences, B.P. 1039, 51687 Reims, France   Email: norbert.hoffmann@univ-reims.fr
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 29 January 2016

Accepted after revision: 03 March 2016

Publication Date:
15 April 2016 (online)


Abstract

Two mechanisms of hydrogen transfer are often observed in photochemical reactions. In a one-step procedure, the electron and the proton are simultaneously transferred (concerted process). In a two-step procedure, first an electron is transferred and the proton follows. Such steps are observed in photochemically induced radical reactions with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl and carboxyl compounds in which a radical species is added at either the α- or the β-position. Both mechanistic steps are also observed in photochemical reactions of imides. In Norrish­–Yang-type reactions, especially with aromatic carbonyl compounds, the spin multiplicity has an influence on the resulting cycloadditions. Such reactions are interesting tools for the synthesis of natural products and for diversity-oriented synthesis. Photochemically induced hydrogen transfer in photoredox catalytic reactions is discussed in connection with proton-coupled electron transfer.

1 Introduction

2 Two Mechanisms of Hydrogen Transfer in Competition

3 Further Reactions of Interest for Application to Synthetic Organic Chemistry

4 Photochemical Keto–Enol Tautomerization

5 Electron and Hydrogen Transfer in Photoredox Catalytic Reactions

6 Conclusion