Photodecarboxylation of Substituted Naphthylmethyl Arylacetate Esters: Synthesis of Naphthylarylethanes.

The synthesis of naphthylarylethanes via the photodecarboxylation of naphthylmethyl arylacetate esters is reported where the aryl group is able to stabilize a charge transfer reaction. The reaction proceeds via intramolecular charge transfer from the donor to acceptor, thereby enhancing a pathway to produce, within the solvent cage, the desired diarylethane products. These in-cage naphthylarylethanes are produced in good yields, in a single photochemical step, with the use of cyclohexane as a solvent providing optimal yields.