Photophysical properties and photoreduction of N-acetyl- and N-benzoylphthalimides

► The photoreduction properties of N-acetylphthalimide and N-benzoylphthalimide were studied. ► Radicals and their precursor triplet states were detected by flash photolysis. ► Specific products are formed upon electron transfer from triethylamine to the photoexcited acylphthalimides. ► The photoreduction of N-4-nitrobenzoylphthalimide occurs via the radical anion of the nitroarene.