Atmosphere- and Solvent-Controlled Coupling and Acetylation of Phenols Induced by Visible Light

A tunable coupling or acetylation of phenol derivatives with diacetyl was enabled through the switch of the atmosphere and solvent induced by visible light under metal-free conditions. Symmetric and asymmetric diphenols or binaphthols were obtained under oxygen in water or 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol, whereas phenol acetates were formed under argon in the presence of diacetyl and acetic acid. The possibility to control the chemo- and regioselectivities enriches the synthetic versatility of photoreactions.