Visible light photoredox catalyzed synthesis of tetrahydrobenzofuranone: oxidative [3+2] cycloaddition of dicarbonyl and alkene

Abstract

Abstract Visible-light-mediated formation of tetrahydrobenzofuranone by direct oxidative [3 + 2] cycloaddition via coupling between dimedone and chalcone using eosin-Y as a photoredox catalyst has been reported. The reaction takes place by a radical pathway as evidenced from our experiments and literature. The developed method involves the utilization of visible light photoredox catalysis for the formation of C-C and C-O bond in tetrahydrobenzofuranone in one pot procedure. The present protocol shows significant advantages such as the application of visible light as a clean source of energy, green solvent, mild reaction conditions, cost effectiveness, short reaction time, metal free synthesis, high atom economy, and excellent yield.