Exploiting photooxygenations mediated by porphyrinoid photocatalysts under continuous flow conditions

Abstract

Photooxygenation reactions are a powerful synthetic tool to produce oxidized organic compounds; however, these reactions often exhibit experimental limitations including the production of complex mixtures that hinder desired product isolation and scale-up. Herein, we present a photocatalysed protocol under continuous flow conditions using a simple home built photoreactor and porphyrinoids as photocatalysts. Reaction conditions, long-term experiments, and scope demonstrate a protocol that is cost-effective, safe, reproducible and robust, thus allowing the production of relevant substituted naphthoquinones with interest in natural product synthesis and biological activity.