J Chem Crystallogr (2012) 42:214–221
DOI 10.1007/s10870-011-0227-z
ORIGINAL PAPER
Synthesis, X-ray Structure and Photo Chemistry
of 2-(Methyl(1-Phenylvinyl)Carbamoyl)Phenyl Acetate
Sujit Kumar Dehury
Received: 23 June 2011 / Accepted: 17 November 2011 / Published online: 26 November 2011
Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011
Abstract 2-(Methyl(1-phenylvinyl)carbamoyl)phenyl ace-
tate (SM), empirical formula C18H17NO3, crystallizes in
the triclinic space group, P-1, with unit cell parameters
Introduction
Aromatic enamides are an interesting class of conjugated
systems possessing a marked degree of hexatrienic char-
acter. Therefore, photochemical electrocyclic ring closure
reactions are possible which would potentially give zwit-
terionic intermediates [1–3] (Scheme 1). This research
recognizes that the zwitterionic intermediates could elim-
inate leaving group anions. The goal is therefore to syn-
thesize the suitable target molecules that can expel leaving
group anions from zwitterions generated by a photochem-
ical electrocyclization process.
˚
a = 9.10870(10) A, b = 10.56940(10) A, c = 16.1340(2)
˚
˚
A, a = 78.0590(10)°, b = 89.5080(10)°, c = 86.6830(10)°,
Z = 4. The 2-(methyl(1-phenylvinyl)carbamoyl)phenyl
acetate (SM) molecule, upon irradiation of UV-light below
˚
3,000 A, releases acetate group to give six membered
cyclic lactam 1 as the major product. The quantum yield
for the lactam 1 was found to be 0.053. An alternate con-
rotatory 6-pi electron photochemically allowed electrocy-
clic ring closure reaction also occurs upon irradiation to
give a six-membered cyclic zwitterionic intermediate which
retains acetate as leaving group. A [1,5]-H shift would then
give the isomerized product 2. The quantum yield for the
lactam 2 was found to be 0.026. A minor oxidation product
lactam 3 that retains the leaving group also formed, likely
from loss of a proton and tautomerization of enol. The loss
of one hydrogen molecule is the driving force for revival of
aromaticity in the minor product 3. The quantum yield for
the lactam 3 was found to be 0.012. The low value of total
quantum yield (0.091) for photocyclization of SM can be
explained as the photoproducts absorb light in competition
with the photoreactant.
The research has practical importance for solving
problems in biological studies. Biological studies are
confronted by the problem of instantly delivering biologi-
cal reagents in order to trigger a specific biological process
on a cellular level under physiological conditions. A pro-
tecting group is chosen that inactivates biological reagent
or the bioeffector molecule until it is needed. The bioef-
fector is released by a short pulse of light within the cell to
nearly instantaneously initiate the biological process to be
studied [4–7]. The reagent or leaving group to be expelled
should be a biologically important molecule.
Although a number of photo cleavable protecting groups
are currently available for use in studies of biological
processes, no single type meets all of the requirements
needed for use in a given application. Therefore, there is
still the need for the development of new photo removable
leaving groups that can fulfill specific requirements for
practical applications [8, 9]. The proposed research
described herein focuses upon a new strategy for the
elimination of acetate leaving group from photogenerated
zwitterionic intermediates.
Keywords X-ray ꢀ 2-(Methyl(1-phenylvinyl)
carbamoyl)phenyl acetate ꢀ Photochemistry ꢀ
Enamide ꢀ Lactam ꢀ Quantum yield
S. K. Dehury (&)
Department of Chemistry, Institute of Technical Education
and Research (ITER), Siksha O Anusandhan University,
Bhubaneswar 751030, Orissa, India
The zwitterionic intermediates would be generated
photochemically via an electro cyclic ring closure reaction
e-mail: sujitam@rediffmail.com
123