Photocatalytic Electrocyclization for the Synthesis of Dihydrophenanthrenes

Abstract

A visible light induced electrocyclization for synthesizing dihydrophenathrenes is reported. The readily available organic photocatalyst (4‐CzIPN) enables α‐addition to enones in good yield (up to 95%). This 6π electrocyclization is proposed to proceed through a photosensitization pathway and it avoids the use of high energy UV light.