Visible-Light-Mediated Heterocycle Functionalization via Geometrically Interrupted [2+2] Cycloaddition

The 2+2] photocycloaddition is the most valuable and intensively investigated photochemical process. Here we demonstrate that irradiation of N-acryloyl heterocycles with blue LED light (440 nm) in the presence of an Ir^III complex leads to efficient and high yielding fused γ-lactam formation across a range of substituted heterocycles. Quantum calculations show that the reaction proceeds via cyclization in the triplet excited state to yield a 1,4-diradical; intersystem crossing leads preferentially to the closed shell singlet zwitterion. This is geometrically restricted from undergoing recombination to yield a cyclobutane by the planarity of the amide substituent. A prototropic shift leads to the observed bicyclic products in what can be viewed as an interrupted 2+2] cycloaddition.