Selective endoperoxide formation by heterogeneous TiO₂ photocatalysis with dioxygen

We report the selective formation of endoperoxides by aerobic TiO₂ photocatalysis through the cyclic addition of dioxygen and a non-conjugated diene, the first heterogeneous catalytic system for endoperoxide synthesis. This green protocol does not require any additive and the photocatalyst is abundant and recyclable, providing a yield up to 64% and >20:1 diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic investigations were carried out by using product analysis, kinetic studies, O-18 labelling experiments, electron-spin resonance and a set of quenching experiments. Superoxide (but not singlet oxygen, triplet oxygen or peroxide) is directly involved in the reaction cascade to form the endoperoxide product. The new findings may be helpful for future for designing eco-friendly and energy sustainable strategies for selective oxygenation reactions using semiconductors, O₂ and sunlight.