Visible light photocatalysis of 6π heterocyclization

Photo-mediated 6π cyclization is a valuable method for the formation of fused heterocyclic systems. Here we demonstrate that irradiation of cyclic 2-aryloxyketones with blue LED light in the presence of an Ir(III) complex leads to efficient and high yielding arylation across a panoply of substrates by energy transfer. 2-arylthioketones and 2-arylaminoketones also cyclize effectively under these conditions. Quantum calculation demonstrates that the reaction proceeds via conrotatory ring closure in the triplet excited state. Subsequent suprafacial 1,4-hydrogen shift and epimerization leads to the observed cis-fused products