The photochemistry of arene-linked phthalimides incorporating the carboxylate or thioether donor group was investigated. Simple N-phthalimidophenyl alkanoates exclusively gave photoreduction (CO2H/H-exchange) products. In contrast, ω-phthalimido-meta-phenoxy carboxylates underwent photodecarboxylative cyclizations in yields of 6–48%. Likewise, catechol-linked derivatives furnished analogue cyclization products in 18–38% yield. ...