Photocyclization of (ω-dialkylamino)alkyl β-oxoesters via remote hydrogen transfer

Abstract

The (ω-dialkylamino)alkyl β-oxoesters (1) undergo photocyclization via remote hydrogen transfer to give the medium-sized azalactones (2) and/or aminolactones (3). Intramolecular electron transfer from nitrogen to the excited carbonyl group of (1) occurs prior to the remote hydrogen transfer.