Organized Photocycloaddition of 4-Benzoylbenzoate with Unsaturated Carboxylates in Hydrotalcite Clay Interlayers

Abstract Photoirradiation of a mixture of 4-benzoylbenzoate (1) and 4-(2-phenylethenyl)benzoate yielded regioselective oxetanes in the presence of hydrotalcite clay. Similar irradiation of a mixture of 1 and cinnamate gave rise to β-truxinate, but not oxetane. The unexpected formation of oxetanes is understood by the favorable distance between C=O and C=C bonds packed in clay interlayers.