Cyclodextrin (CD) complexation shows remarkable selectivity in the photo-Fries rearrangement of sulphonate esters and sulphonanilide. An impressive regioselectivity is observed with meta-substituted sulphonate esters The results are explained on the basis of selective modes of complexation of the substrates within the CD cavity. The observed results are compared with those of the photo-Fries rearrangement of esters and anilides.
