Single Electron Transfer Induced Photoaddition Reactions of Silyl Enol Ether to N-Methylphthalimide

Photochemical reactions of N-methylphthalimide with silyl enol ethers have been explored. Irradiations of phthalimide (1) and cyclic silyl enol ethers (5a-b) are observed to promote formation of photoreduced phthalimides and photoaddition products by sequential SET-desilylation pathways. The photoreaction of phthalimide (1) and acyclic silyl enol ethers (5c-d) leads to produce oxetanes which arise by competitive single electron transfer (SET) and classical 2+2 photocycloaddition (Parteno-Buchi reaction) pathways.