Metal free in situ formation of phthalimide N-oxyl radicals by light-induced homolysis of N-alkoxyphthalimides

Irradiation of N-triphenylmethyloxy- or N-diphenylmethyloxy phthalimide is reported to result in the formation of phthalimide N-oxyl radical (PINO), which is able to initiate and propagate oxidative radical chain reactions of hydrocarbons.