Synthesis of the tetracyclic skeleton of Aspidosperma alkaloids via PET-initiated cationic radical-derived interrupted [2 + 2]/retro-Mannich reaction

• Ru-Dong Liu,
• Jian-Yu Long,
• Zhi-Lin Song,
• Zhen Yang and
• Zhong-Chao Zhang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2470–2478, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.189

• photoredox catalysis) processes [8][9][10]. Cyclobutenone (A) is a versatile C4 synthon [11] – its [2 + 2] photocyclization yields B, featuring a strained bicyclo[2.2.0]hexane unit [12], which can fragment to form C (Figure 1a) [13][14]. However, competitive C1–C4 bond cleavage under irradiation or heating

• intense substrate decomposition (Table 1, entries 6–8). These results showed that MeCN is the best solvent for the reaction. Finally, we investigated the effects of an alternative N-substituent in the indole moiety, and the reaction time and temperature on the photocyclization results. Boc-substituted

• , which has a stereogenic centre at C10, photocyclization afforded 10g in moderate yield and with excellent diastereoselectivity (76% yield, dr >20:1). This indicates that the reaction is controlled by the substrate conformation. To investigate the effects of the spirocyclic ring size on the

Rotaxanes with integrated photoswitches: design principles, functional behavior, and emerging applications

• Jullyane Emi Matsushima,
• Khushbu,
• Zuliah Abdulsalam,
• Udyogi Navodya Kulathilaka Conthagamage and
• Víctor García-López

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2345–2366, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.179

• isomer upon irradiation with light. Notably, they are thermally irreversible, so the back isomerization occurs only upon irradiation with light at longer wavelengths. Although photocyclization leads to subtle structural changes (Figure 2), the two isomers present very different photochemical and

• of the DB24C8 macrocycles can control the photocyclization of the dithienylethene. For instance, when the DB24C8 is positioned at the N-methyltriazolium (MTA) site, the photocyclization rate is enhanced because the macrocycle locks the antiparallel conformer of the dithienylethene. In contrast, the

• content, compared to pure acetonitrile. Photocyclization of the dithienylethene with UV light quenches the fluorescence of the TPE due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the TPE (donor) and the closed dithienylethene (acceptor). Irradiation with visible light triggers the cycloreversion

Recent advances in Norrish–Yang cyclization and dicarbonyl photoredox reactions for natural product synthesis

• Peng-Xi Luo,
• Jin-Xuan Yang,
• Shao-Min Fu and
• Bo Liu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2315–2333, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.177

• key late-stage step in this total synthesis, the Norrish–Yang photocyclization exhibits high chemoselectivity and efficiency. It regulates selectivity through C–H bond dissociation energy and restricted bond rotation, constructing a 6/6/4 fused ring system with three contiguous quaternary carbons

• E/I (53/57), respectively. In this work, inspired by the biosynthetic pathway of natural products, the authors employed a tandem Norrish–Yang photocyclization and α-hydroxy ketone rearrangement as the key step to construct the unique bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane skeleton of gracilisoids. This strategy

Recent total synthesis of natural products leveraging a strategy of enamide cyclization

• Chun-Yu Mi,
• Jia-Yuan Zhai and
• Xiao-Ming Zhang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 999–1009, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.81

• photocyclization. This transformation was carried out using a high-pressure mercury vapor lamp to afford benzazepine 22, completing the construction of the pentacyclic framework of the natural product. Subsequent functional group manipulations, including the Chugaev elimination of the hydroxy group on the

Ring opening of photogenerated azetidinols as a strategy for the synthesis of aminodioxolanes

• Henning Maag,
• Daniel J. Lemcke and
• Johannes M. Wahl

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1671–1676, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.148

• subsequent ring-opening reactions. In this regard, we uncovered a novel entry to dioxolanes by intramolecular ring opening of azetidines using ketones and boronic acids. Results and Discussion Photocyclization We initiated our study by a systematic investigating of the Norrish–Yang cyclization for the

Switchable molecular tweezers: design and applications

• Pablo Msellem,
• Maksym Dekthiarenko,
• Nihal Hadj Seyd and
• Guillaume Vives

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 504–539, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.45

Photoinduced in situ generation of DNA-targeting ligands: DNA-binding and DNA-photodamaging properties of benzo[c]quinolizinium ions

• Julika Schlosser,
• Olga Fedorova,
• Yuri Fedorov and
• Heiko Ihmels

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 101–117, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.11

• ; heterocycles; photocyclization; photosensitizer; styrylpyridines; Introduction DNA intercalators – most often represented by small planar heteroaromatic compounds – play an important role as chemotherapeutic agents [1][2][3][4]. Specifically, upon intercalation into the DNA double helix such ligands can cause

• because of their low water solubility. The styrylpyridine derivatives 2a–g were irradiated in oxygen-saturated solutions in MeCN, H2O, MeOH, or MeCN/H2O with a high-pressure Hg lamp (λ > 220 nm), and the course of the photocyclization reaction was monitored by absorption spectroscopy (Figure 2). In

• formation of the photocyclization product (Figure 2B). Likewise, in H2O solution with MeCN as co-solvent, no formation of a new absorption band was observed upon irradiation of 2b, either (Figure 2C). Moreover, the aminobenzoquinolizinium 3b could not be isolated after irradiation of 2b at larger scale. As

Synthesis of substituted 8H-benzo[h]pyrano[2,3-f]quinazolin-8-ones via photochemical 6π-electrocyclization of pyrimidines containing an allomaltol fragment

• Constantine V. Milyutin,
• Andrey N. Komogortsev,
• Boris V. Lichitsky,
• Mikhail E. Minyaev and
• Valeriya G. Melekhina

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 778–788, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.58

• [h]pyrano[2,3-f]quinazolines were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Based on the performed studies, a two-stage telescopic method for the synthesis of polyaromatic benzo[h]pyrano[2,3-f]quinazolines including the initial photocyclization of the starting pyrimidines and the final dehydration was

• proposed. Keywords: allomaltol; dihydrobenzo[h]pyrano[2,3-f]quinazolines; 6π-electrocyclization; photocyclization; pyrimidines; Introduction Photochemical processes involve absorption of UV light leading to the generation of molecules in the excited state and subsequent chemical transformations [1][2

Strategies to access the [5-8] bicyclic core encountered in the sesquiterpene, diterpene and sesterterpene series

• Cécile Alleman,
• Charlène Gadais,
• Laurent Legentil and
• François-Hugues Porée

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 245–281, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.23

Thiophene/selenophene-based S-shaped double helicenes: regioselective synthesis and structures

• Mengjie Wang,
• Lanping Dang,
• Wan Xu,
• Zhiying Ma,
• Liuliu Shao,
• Guangxia Wang,
• Chunli Li and
• Hua Wang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 809–817, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.81

• , and double oxidative photocyclization. The photocyclization was a highly regioselective process. The molecular structures of DH-1 and DH-2 were confirmed by X-ray single-crystal analysis. Multiple intermolecular interactions, such as C–S, C–Se, S–S, S–Se, and Se–Se, were observed in the crystal

• , regioselective double oxidative photocyclization was observed during the construction of three S-shaped double helicenes DH-1–3 based on thiophene/selenophene. From DH-1 to DH-3, sulfur atoms in the molecular framework were gradually replaced by selenium atoms. The crystal structures of DH-1 and DH-2 and

• spectroscopic features of DH-1–3 were then studied. Finally, the reaction sites of oxidative photocyclization, energy levels, and the electron cloud distribution of the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) are predicted. Results and Discussion

A study of the photochemical behavior of terarylenes containing allomaltol and pyrazole fragments

• Constantine V. Milyutin,
• Andrey N. Komogortsev,
• Boris V. Lichitsky and
• Valeriya G. Melekhina

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 588–596, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.61

• processes used in organic synthesis, 6π-electrocyclization of 1,3,5-hexatriene systems is attracting considerable attention [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The photocyclization of terarylenes leading to the formation of polyheterocyclic compounds is one of the most widely studied processes of this type

• of photoreactions can occur under UV irradiation: the classical photocyclization of the 1,3,5-hexatriene system and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) – promoted photoprocesses typical for a 3-hydroxypyran-4-one core. For the ESIPT-induced reactions the general direction is the

• in a solution of DMSO-d6. UV irradiation at a wavelength of 365 nm for 48 h in an NMR tube did not lead to any transformations of the starting pyrazole 16. Our attempts to carry out the photocyclization of pyrazole 16 in various solvents (DMF, acetonitrile, toluene, ethanol, methylene chloride

Recent advances in the syntheses of anthracene derivatives

• Giovanni S. Baviera and
• Paulo M. Donate

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2028–2050, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.131

• sequential modifications [30], photocyclization of divinylterphenyl derivatives [31], tandem radical cyclization of (Z,Z)-1,4-bis(2-iodostyryl)benzene derivatives [32], and ring-closing olefin metathesis of tetravinylterphenyls [33] as the best-known synthetic routes. Herein, we have classified the synthetic

• photocyclization of 1,3-distyrylbenzene derivatives 133 bearing different substituents at position 2 in order to find efficient blocking groups to afford dibenzoanthracene derivatives (Scheme 31) [65]. For the first time, their results established that butylthio and diphenylphosphino groups performed well as

• . AuCl-catalyzed double cyclization of diiodoethynylterphenyl compounds. Iodonium-induced electrophilic cyclization of terphenyl derivatives. Oxidative photocyclization of 1,3-distyrylbenzene derivatives. Oxidative cyclization of 2,3-diphenylnaphthalenes. Suzuki-Miyaura/isomerization/ring closing

A comprehensive review of flow chemistry techniques tailored to the flavours and fragrances industries

• Guido Gambacorta,
• James S. Sharley and
• Ian R. Baxendale

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1181–1312, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.90

Helicene synthesis by Brønsted acid-catalyzed cycloaromatization in HFIP [(CF₃)₂CHOH]

• Takeshi Fujita,
• Noriaki Shoji,
• Nao Yoshikawa and
• Junji Ichikawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 396–403, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.35

• specific problems in conducting these synthetic reactions for large scale production (Scheme 1). For example, the Mallory reaction [12], which is a widely used photocyclization in helicene synthesis [13][14], requires high dilution or excess amounts of oxidizing agents to suppress intermolecular side

Synthesis, crystal structures and properties of carbazole-based [6]helicenes fused with an azine ring

• Daria I. Tonkoglazova,
• Anna V. Gulevskaya,
• Konstantin A. Chistyakov and
• Olga I. Askalepova

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 11–21, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.2

• sp. and displaying inhibitory activities towards telomerases. The classical synthetic approach for carbohelicenes is the oxidative photocyclization of stilbene derivatives [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The latter are generally available via the Wittig, Heck-type or McMurry couplings. It is

• also a useful way to synthesize heterohelicenes, in particular, carbazole-based helicenes [39][40][41][42][44][47][48][50][51] (Scheme 1A). However, photocyclization of the stilbene substrates, having two non-equivalent ortho positions, leads to the formation of isomeric polynuclear molecules, which

Photocatalyzed syntheses of phenanthrenes and their aza-analogues. A review

• Alessandra Del Tito,
• Havall Othman Abdulla,
• Davide Ravelli,
• Stefano Protti and
• Maurizio Fagnoni

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1476–1488, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.123

• of the Mallory photocyclization of stilbenes [10] leading to phenanthrenes, the interest in protocols for the construction of poly(hetero)aromatic cores under photochemical conditions has increased steadily, especially when solar light may be used [11]. Moreover, aza-analogues of phenanthrenes, in

A simple and easy to perform synthetic route to functionalized thienyl bicyclo[3.2.1]octadienes

• Dragana Vuk,
• Irena Škorić,
• Valentina Milašinović,
• Krešimir Molčanov and
• Željko Marinić

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1092–1099, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.96

• [3.2.1]octadiene compound with an extended conjugation. Keywords: bicyclo[3.2.1]octadiene; photocyclization; thiophene; Vilsmeier–Haack reaction; Wittig reaction; Introduction The bicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton has become the subject of intensive research in recent years [1][2][3]. Its presence in

Cation-induced ring-opening and oxidation reaction of photoreluctant spirooxazine–quinolizinium conjugates

• Phil M. Pithan,
• Sören Steup and
• Heiko Ihmels

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 904–916, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.82

• 463 nm and 325 nm (Figure S2B, Supporting Information File 1), which was in agreement with our recent finding that 8-styryl-substituted coralyne derivatives undergo a photocyclization–oxidation reaction upon irradiation under aerobic conditions to form pyrroloquinolizinium derivatives (Scheme S2

Efficient synthesis of 3,6,13,16-tetrasubstituted-tetrabenzo[a,d,j,m]coronenes by selective C–H/C–O arylations of anthraquinone derivatives

• Seiya Terai,
• Yuki Sato,
• Takuya Kochi and
• Fumitoshi Kakiuchi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 544–550, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.51

• reaction, followed by dehydrogenative photocyclization, and FeCl3-mediated oxidative cyclization (Scheme 2a) [43]. Tao, Chao, and co-workers succeeded in the preparation of similar tetrasubstituted tetrabenzocoronenes by a Corey–Fuchs reaction, followed by a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling, and a two-step

Recent advances in photocatalyzed reactions using well-defined copper(I) complexes

• Mingbing Zhong,
• Xavier Pannecoucke,
• Philippe Jubault and
• Thomas Poisson

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 451–481, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.42

• 2012, Collins and co-workers described a copper-catalyzed photocyclization to synthesize [5]helicene (Scheme 29) [43]. Using the in situ-formed [Cu(I)(dmp)(xantphos)]BF4 (25 mol %) in the presence of iodine and propylene oxide as the oxidant system under visible light irradiation, [5]helicene was

Reversible photoswitching of the DNA-binding properties of styrylquinolizinium derivatives through photochromic [2 + 2] cycloaddition and cycloreversion

• Sarah Kölsch,
• Heiko Ihmels,
• Jochen Mattay,
• Norbert Sewald and
• Brian O. Patrick

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 111–124, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.13

• switching of binding properties [36]. Apparently, styryl-substituted aromatic derivatives could fill this gap because the [2 + 2] photocyclization reaction of stilbenes and derivatives thereof is a well-established reversible photoreaction [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46], and styryl dyes, in

Photochromic diarylethene ligands featuring 2-(imidazol-2-yl)pyridine coordination site and their iron(II) complexes

• Andrey G. Lvov,
• Max Mörtel,
• Anton V. Yadykov,
• Frank W. Heinemann,
• Valerii Z. Shirinian and
• Marat M. Khusniyarov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2428–2437, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.235

• ligands feature non-aromatic ethene bridges (cyclopentene, cyclopentenone, and cyclohexenone), as well as closely spaced photoactive and metal coordination sites aiming a strong impact of photocyclization on the electronic structure of the coordinated metal ion. The ligands with cyclopentenone and

• ligand. The bridging nature of the diarylethene in the complexes prevents photocyclization. Keywords: diarylethene; 2-(imidazol-2-yl)pyridine; iron(II) complex; photochromism; Introduction Transition metal complexes with photoactive ligands are of great interest for advanced photonic applications [1][2

• ][3][4][5][6][7]. Reversible change of the electronic structure of diarylethene photochromes [8][9][10] upon photocyclization is a promising tool to control the electronic structure of coordinated metal ions and, consequently, associated properties. Thus, diarylethenes were integrated into well-known

Targeted photoswitchable imaging of intracellular glutathione by a photochromic glycosheet sensor

• Xianzhi Chai,
• Hai-Hao Han,
• Yi Zang,
• Jia Li,
• Xiao-Peng He,
• Junji Zhang and
• He Tian

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2380–2389, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.230

• first measured in PBS buffer at room temperature. As shown in Figure 1A, a decreased absorption band at 327 nm and a subsequent appearance of a new band centered at 550 nm were observed upon irradiation of Glyco-DTE with UV light, which indicated a photocyclization or ring-closing process to form the

• remarkably quenched to ca. 30% (ΦF = 0.085, Table S1 in Supporting Information File 1) through an efficient intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism [29][30] after the photocyclization of Glyco-DTE. The fluorescence was fully recovered by irradiation with visible light and the

Aggregation-induced emission effect on turn-off fluorescent switching of a photochromic diarylethene

• Luna Kono,
• Yuma Nakagawa,
• Ayako Fujimoto,
• Ryo Nishimura,
• Yohei Hattori,
• Toshiki Mutai,
• Nobuhiro Yasuda,
• Kenichi Koizumi,
• Satoshi Yokojima,
• Shinichiro Nakamura and
• Kingo Uchida

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2204–2212, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.217

• carried out in the future. Conclusion In summary, we prepared a new diarylethene derivative having an ESIPT functional moiety. It shows the pink fluorescence upon UV light irradiation. Prolonged irradiation with UV light, resulted in the suppressed emission accompanied with a proceeding photocyclization

Azologization and repurposing of a hetero-stilbene-based kinase inhibitor: towards the design of photoswitchable sirtuin inhibitors

• Christoph W. Grathwol,
• Nathalie Wössner,
• Sören Swyter,
• Adam C. Smith,
• Enrico Tapavicza,
• Robert K. Hofstetter,
• Anja Bodtke,
• Manfred Jung and
• Andreas Link

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2170–2183, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.214

• unclear. Photochemistry of azastilbenes The photochemical behaviour of stilbenes has been subject to intense investigation in the past. It is reported that unsubstituted stilbene undergoes E→Z photoisomerization [47], as well as photocyclization to dihydrophenanthrene upon UV irradiation, which is

• oxidized to phenantrene in the presence of oxygen [48]. In high concentrations, (E)-stilbene furthermore undergoes photocyclodimerization to cyclobutane derivatives [49]. Photoisomerization and photocyclization are also reported for 3-styrylpyridines, forming two regioisomeric dihydroazaphenanthrenes that

• benzoquinoline carboxamide isomers 8a and b formed by photocyclization and successive oxidation (Scheme 3). Furthermore, small amounts of cycloaddition products in two fractions were found, probably due to the high concentration of 2b in the irradiated solution. In contrast, 2f was remarkably stable to long-term