Photocatalytic Synthesis of Oxetane Derivatives by Selective C-H Activation

The selective C(sp(3))-H activation at position 2 in oxetanes has been accomplished by decatungstate photocatalysis under mild conditions. The resulting alpha-oxy radicals were trapped by electron-poor olefins resulting in the smooth preparation of 2-substituted oxetanes. The chemoselectivity in hydrogen abstraction in substituted oxetanes containing other H donating groups, such as CH2OH, CH2OAc and CHO, has been demonstrated in intramolecular models.