Access to Azetidines via Gold Mediated Energy Transfer Photocatalysis

The area of energy transfer photocatalysis to generate four-membered rings is experiencing an unprecedented level of activity. Here, we report an operationally simple method toward azetidines from 2-isoxasoline-3-carboxylates and alkenes, using [Au(cbz)(NHC)] complexes as photocatalysts. The procedure enables the reaction for a wide range of substrates. Mechanistic studies confirm the energy transfer pathway. This contribution adds to the earlier reported use of these gold catalysts as a potentially versatile tool in energy transfer chemistry and catalysis.