Written by J.A Dobado | Last Updated on September 15, 2025
What is Barton reaction?
The Barton reaction, alternatively referred to as the Barton nitrite ester reaction, involves the transformation of a nitrite ester into a γ-oximino alcohol. This reaction occurs through a photolytic process that initiates the homolytic cleavage of a nitrogen-oxygen bond, subsequently resulting in hydrogen abstraction.
References
- D.H.R. Barton, J.M. Beaton, L.E. Geller, M.M. Pechet, “A New Photochemical Reaction” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82, 2640-2641 (1960)
- D.H.R. Barton, J.M. Beaton, L.E. Geller, M.M. Pechet, “A New Photochemical Reaction1” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 83, 4076-4083 (1961)
Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Granada, with a long-standing research career in Computational Chemistry and molecular modeling and design.