Supramolecular control of [2 + 2] photodimerization via hydrogen bonding†
Abstract
The use of supramolecular catalysis to control the photoinduced dimerization of styrene, cinnamate, and stilbene chromophores is reported. The strategy employs the formation of a 2 ∶ 1 supramolecular assembly in the presence of 5,5-dihexylbarbituric acid (DHB). A 3- to 10-fold increase in dimerization efficiency is observed in its presence, concomitant with accrued selectivity for the syn photodimers. The origin of the regioselectivity in the presence of DHB is discussed in terms of topochemical control within the supramolecular architecture.
- This article is part of the themed collection: In honour of Federick Dunbar Lewis