Abstract Photocyclization reactions were carried out on 2-alkoxybenzaldehydes 1a-f, 2′- alkoxyacetophenones 2a-h, 2-formylphenoxyacetic acids 1i-l and 2-acetylphenoxyacetic acids 2i-m. Irradiation of 1a-f and 2a-h in acetonitrile gave the corresponding dihydrobenzofuranols 3, 5 and dihydroisobenzofuranols 4, 6. Using carboxylic acids 1i-1, 2i- m as starting materials, decarboxylation occurred immediately to give the corresponding ...