Photochemical radical cyclization of γ,δ-unsaturated ketone oximes to 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrroles

3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyrroles are synthesized from γ, δ-unsaturated oximes by photochemical radical cyclization with 1,5-dimethoxynaphthalene (DMN) as the sensitizer. The cyclization of alkyl ketone O-acetyloximes proceeds via photosensitized electron transfer in the presence of acetic acid, while conjugated oximes of aryl and α,β-unsaturated ketones are cyclized via energy transfer.