Photoinduced Electron-Transfer-Promoted Redox Fragmentation of N-Alkoxyphthalimides

A new photoinduced electron-transfer-promoted redox fragmentation of N-alkoxyphthalimides has been developed. Mechanistic experiments have established that this reaction proceeds through a unique concerted intramolecular fragmentation process. This distinctive mechanism imparts many synthetic advantages, which are highlighted in the redox fragmentation of various heterocyclic substrates.