Photoreduction of benzophenones by amines in room-temperature ionic liquids.

[reaction: see text] The amine-mediated photoreduction of benzophenones in room temperature ionic liquids was investigated. Unlike the analogous reaction in organic solvents, the photoreduction produces mainly the corresponding benzhydrol in most cases. Because the reaction consumes only 1 equiv of amine and the solvent can be easily recycled, the photoreduction allows a very clean method for the conversion of benzophenones to benzhydrols.