Spin-directed stereoselectivity of carbonyl-alkene photocycloadditions

The concentration dependence of the Paterno-Buchi photocycloaddition of the two cyclic enolethers 2,3-dihydrofuran and 2,3-dihydropyran, respectively, with aromatic as well as aliphatic aldehydes was studied. For aliphatic aldehydes, a sharp transition from low to high diastereostereoselectivity was observed, indicating a switch from singlet to triplet photocycloaddition with different selectivity controlling mechanisms.