The Paternò–Büchi reaction, named after Emanuele Paternò and George Hermann Büchi who established its basic utility and form, is a photochemical reaction that forms four-membered oxetane rings from a carbonyl and an alkene.[1][2]
Much work has been done with the reaction since Dr. Thorsten Bach of the University of Marburg published a review article in 1998 on its mechanism and synthetic utility.[3]
The Paternò–Büchi reaction has been used recently in attempt to synthesize many natural organic products. In these experiments, the chemists are chiefly concerned with the regio- and diastereoselectivity of the products.