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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst
Published on: June 8, 2016
Visible-light-mediated synthesis of 2-oxetanes via Giese addition to α-oxy radicals
Matthew Liu1, Elvis C McFee1, Corinna S Schindler1,2,3
1Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia 2036 Main Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1 Canada schindler@chem.ubc.ca.
Abstract:
Oxetanes have recently garnered large amounts of interest from synthetic chemists due to their unique structural and chemical properties. Despite substantial advances for the formation of 3,3-disubstituted oxetanes, its 2-functionalized counterparts remain a challenging synthetic motif. Furthermore, methods to form alkyl oxetanes remain underdeveloped. Herein, we disclose a novel protocol for the synthesis of various alkyl and aryl 2-oxetanes leveraging a Giese addition to α-oxy radicals, furnishing the desired products in up to 95% yield.
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