SET photochemistry of phthalimide anion and its reactivity with hydrogen donors

The investigation of the photochemistry of phthalimide anion has uncovered its exceptional reactivity with hydrogen donors such as alcohols, toluene, ethers and amines. Photoreactions can be conducted to high conversions and photoadducts are formed in high yield and with predictable regioselectivity. Exploratory studies have revealed that SET from the excited phthalimide anion to phthalimide is a thermodinamically favourable step that produces the electrophilic phthalimidyl radical and is the key step of the process.