A photo-induced C–O bond formation methodology to construct tetrahydroxanthones

Abstract

A metal-free, photo-induced C–O bond formation methodology was developed to construct tetrahydroxanthones. This mild and efficient methodology was based on intramolecular oxygen trapping of the reactive species produced by photolytic activation of a C–Cl bond. We believe this method could be used in the synthesis of related xanthone-type natural products.