Visible-Light-Mediated Achmatowicz Rearrangement

Abstract

Visible-light-mediated photoredox catalysis is a viable method to access highly reactive intermediates from cheap, readily available, and shelf-stable reagents to perform clean chemical transformations. Here, we report the first photoredox-catalyzed Achmatowicz reaction of furfuryl alcohol derivatives to produce functionalized dihydropyranones while only forming easily separable NaHSO₄ as a byproduct. The water solubility of the byproduct facilitates direct Boc-protection of the resulting hemiacetal without the need for column purification. The reaction is very robust and permits the use of various aqueous solutions and light sources including sunlight.