Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
![Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F60786.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions
Published on: July 17, 2020
Photoisomerization of Arylidene Heterocycles: Toward the Formation of Fused Heterocyclic Quinolines
Elodie Cortelazzo-Polisini1, Michel Boisbrun1, Axel Hans Gansmüller2
1Université de Lorraine, CNRS, L2CM, F-54000 Nancy, France.
Abstract:
We report herein the photoinduced isomerization of a series of arylidene heterocycles 1. The photoreaction mechanism was investigated by a combined UV-vis/photo-NMR spectroscopic study, and we showed that Ar-TZDs exhibit a positive P-type photochromism, which limits their isomerization efficiency. By exploring the solvatochromism in a series of solvents, the conditions favoring the conversion toward one or the other stereoisomer have been studied, in particular by choosing the appropriate wavelengths. Finally, the extension of this photoisomerization study was proposed with a convenient preparation of various fused heterocyclic quinolines in good overall yields.
Related Concept Videos
Five-Membered Heterocyclic Aromatic Compounds: Overview
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview
Removing one hydrogen from the intervening CH2 group...
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Aryldiazonium Salts to Azo Dyes: Diazo Coupling

