Oxetan formation from photoexcited charge-transfer complexes of anhydrides with electron-rich olefins
Abstract
Excitation of c.t.-complexes of dimethylmaleic, phthalic, and naphthalic anhydride with indene, 1,1-dimethylindene, and benzofuran in nonpolar solvents leads to oxetan and cyclobutane formation; cyclobutane production is preceded by intersystem crossing of the complex.