Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Radical-Cation-Mediated Imino-Diels-Alder Reaction

The feasibility of an electron transfer imino-Diels-Alder reaction between N-benzylideneaniline and arylalkenes in the presence of a pyrylium salt as a photosensitizer has been demonstrated by a combination of product studies, laser flash photolysis (LFP), and DFT theoretical calculations. A stepwise mechanism involving two intermediates and two transition states is proposed.