Synthesis and Singlet Oxygen Reactivity of 1,2‐Diaryloxyethenes and Selected Sulfur and Nitrogen Analogs

1,2-Diaryloxyethene has recently been proposed as a linker in singlet oxygen-mediated drug release. Even though 1,2-diaryloxyethenes look very simple, their synthesis was not an easy task. Previous methods are limited to symmetric molecules, lengthy step and low yield. We report on a facile synthetic method not only for 1,2-diaryloxyethenes but also their sulfur and nitrogen analogs in yields ranging from 40 to 90% with more than 90% purity at the vinylation reaction.