Photoelectron transfer induced decarboxylation of substituted carboxylic acids across a liquid/liquid interface

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)10084-9

Methylene blue photocatalyzed electron transfer reactions of some phenoxyacetic acid derivatives and N-phenylglycine across a liquid/liquid interface led to their efficient decarboxylation. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis studies of this process, in a reverse micellar system of Aerosol- OT (AOT)-benzene-water indicated that the liquid/liquid interface acts as a barrier in controlling the energy wasting back electron transfer. Intramolecular C-C bond forming reactions of these radicals were utilized for the synthesis of various chroman derivatives.