Photosonochemical catalytic ring opening of alpha-epoxyketones.

The combination of ultrasound and photochemical methods has been used for the catalytic ring opening of alpha-epoxyketones by 1-benzyl-2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (NBTPT) as photocatalyst in methanol. Sonication of these compounds in the presence of NBTPT did not result in the opening of epoxide ring, but the use of ultrasound increased the rate of photoreaction.