Both intermolecular and intramolecular electron transfers can be the key in the determination
of synthetic outcomes of photochemical and electrochemical reactions. Herein, we report
dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles in combination with methoxybenzene to be a unique heterogeneous photocatalyst
for facilitating the formation of novel cyclobutanes. Although the mechanistic details
are as yet unclear, the results described herein imply that methoxybenzene is adsorbed
onto the TiO2 surface, coming in close proximity to the forming cyclobutane radical cation, to
realize a pseudo-intramolecular electron transfer between the species.
Key words
radical cations - [2+2] cycloaddition - surface-assisted - pseudo-intramolecular process
- electron transfer