Visible-light-induced aerobic epoxidation with vitamin B2-based photocatalyst

Herein we described the catalytic epoxidation of α,β-enone, with peroxide in situ generated, via a predominant single electron transfer and a minor energy transfer pathway. We use inexpensive natural vitamin B2 (riboflavin, RF) or its simple ester (riboflavin tetraacetate, RFT) as the photocatalysts, commonly used 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene (DBU) as both the electron source and organic base, and ambient air as the terminal oxidant, under visible-light irradiation and room temperature.