Biphenyl Cyclobutenone Photoelectrocyclizations

In this work, we demonstrate that readily available conjugated bis-aryl cyclobutenones undergo photoelectrocyclization reactions to give the corresponding dihydrophenanthrene cyclobutanones when exposed to 350 nm light, TFA, and TMSCl. We have also found that cyclobutenone electrocyclizations and cycloreversions are in equilibrium.