Photochemical reduction of 1,2-diketones in the presence of TiO2

Abstract

1,2-Diketones, camphorquinone and 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione, are converted to the corresponding α-hydroxyketones in moderate to good yields by TiO2-catalyzed photochemical reactions in deoxygenated alcoholic media. The reduction yield for 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione is considerably increased by addition of water or triethylamine.