2-Hydroxy-1,2,2-triphenylethanone as an efficient photolabile protecting group for carboxylic acids

The synthesis is reported of 2-hydroxy-1,2,2-triphenylethanone esters of carboxylic acids by the reaction between 2-chloro-1,2,2-triphenylethanone and a carboxylic acid in the presence of silver carbonate and silver tetrafluoroborate. Photolysis of the esters occurs rapidly on irradiation with a medium-pressure mercury lamp through quartz or Pyrex to return the carboxylic acid. The side product of the photolysis is benzo[b]phenanthro[9,10-d]furan, formed through a tandem process involving initial generation of 2,3-diphenylbenzofuran, photochemical cyclisation and re-aromatisation by aerial oxidation.