Azetidines hold great promise in current medicinal chemistry due to their desirable pharmacokinetic properties. However, a lack of efficient approaches to functionalized azetidines has impeded their incorporation into pharmaceutical lead structures. A [2+2] cycloaddition reaction between imines and alkenes, an aza Paternò-Büchi reaction, arguably represents the most direct route. The utility of this method has been hampered by competing reaction paths accessible upon photochemical excitation of the substrates. We have developed a visible light-enabled aza Paternò-Büchi reaction that surmounts existing limitations and provides a mild solution for the direct formation of functionalized azetidines from imine and alkene precursors.

Highly functionalized azetidines by visible light mediated [2+2] cycloadditions

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.