Aza-Diels–Alder-type cycloaddition reactions between a range of N-arylimines and functionalized alkenes were effectively catalyzed by the Cr(III)/bipyridine complex under irradiation of blue light, to give the corresponding 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity. Typically, the reaction of benzylideneaniline with 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone proceeded smoothly with a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio (S/C) of 1000 and completed within 4 h at room temperature (20–25 °C), affording the cycloaddition product in 97% yield.

A novel photocyclization of 2-aryloxazole derivatives linked with an alkene moiety through a three-atom spacer at the 5-position gave a range of functionalized spiro[4.4] cyclic compounds that included cyclopentane, tetrahydrofuran, and pyrrolidine moieties in moderate to high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity.

Photoirradiation of α-arylthiophene derivatives linked with an alkene moiety through a three-atom spacer gave unprecedented cyclobutene-fused perhydrothiapentalene-type compounds in high yields, but neither [2 + 2] nor [4 + 2] cycloaddition products. The reaction afforded a single diastereomer in many cases. The chemical structure and relative configuration of a typical product were unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

A photosensitized reaction of furan with a non-activated simple alkene was investigated. Intramolecular Diels–Alder-type cycloaddition reactions between furan and a trisubstituted alkene were found to proceed in high yield in the presence of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene under UV irradiation to afford oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives in high stereoselectivity when the furan was alkyl substituted. On the other hand, the aryl-substituted furan cyclized via a completely different pathway to give spirocyclic and tricyclic products.