Regio- and Stereoselective [2+2] Photodimerization of 3-Substituted 2-Alkoxy-2-oxo-2H-1,2-benzoxaphosphorines

Diethyl 1,2-benzoxaphosphorine-3-carboxylates 5 undergo a regio- and stereoselective [2+2] photodimerization reaction in methanol solution under the action of sunlight, giving in all cases the corresponding anti head-to-tail dimers 6 and 7. Concerning the stereogenic P atom, the photodimerization is also stereoselective, and the centrosymmetric stereoisomer 6 predominates over the non symmetric P-epimer 7.