Photochemistry of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane: carbon-carbon homolysis and protonation-induced side-chain fragmentation
作者:Joaquim L. Faria、Steen Steenken
DOI:10.1021/j100205a049
日期:1992.12
In dichloromethane upon 248-nm (or 254-nm) irradiation, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane (bicumene) undergoes homolysis of the central C-C bond to yield two alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl (cumyl) radicals (PHI(hom) = 0.18). In 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), this reaction is less efficient (PHI(hom) < 0.02), but a new process is observed, i.e., biphotonic ionization followed by C-C fragmentation of the resulting radical cation leading to the cumyl radical and the cumyl cation. The latter reacts with TFE to give cumyl trifluoroethyl ether. In the more acidic solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol, the electronically excited state of bicumene is efficiently protonated by the solvent to yield a cyclohexadienyl-type carbocation which undergoes side-chain fragmentation to produce cumyl cation, which was directly observed by its UV absorption and whose electrophilic reactivity was characterized. Photoprotonation followed by side-chain fragmentation was also observed with beta-phenylalkanols which give rise to the aliphatic oxo compounds derived from the beta-carbon of the side chain.