Sunlight-induced reactions of some heterocyclic bases with ethers in the presence of TiO2

The reactions between various heterocyclic bases and ethers induced by sunlight are reported. In several cases the photoreaction occurred with higher yields in liquid-solid heterogeneous system in the presence of polycrystalline TiO2 than in homogeneous system. The derivatives obtained with trioxane may give an easy entry to heterocyclic aldehydes.