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Updated: May 2, 2026

Design, Synthesis, and Photochemical Properties of Clickable Caged Compounds
Published on: October 15, 2019
A photoinduced, benzyne click reaction
Adam W Gann1, Jon W Amoroso, Vincent J Einck
1Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States.
Abstract:
The [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azides and alkynes has proven invaluable across numerous scientific disciplines for imaging, cross-linking, and site-specific labeling among many other applications. We have developed a photoinitiated, benzyne-based [3 + 2] cycloaddition that is tolerant of a variety of functional groups as well as polar, protic solvents. The reaction is complete on the minute time scale using a single equivalent of partner azide, and the benzyne photoprecursor is stable for months under ambient light at room tempurature. Herein we report the optimization and scope of the photoinitiated reaction as well as characterization of the cycloaddition products.
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