SENSITIZED PHOTOLYSIS OF BENZOYL AZIDE. A NITRENE SINGLET-TRIPLET EQUILIBRIUM

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/cl.1982.9

The acetophenone-sensitized photolyses of benzoyl azide in cis- and trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexanes gave the N-substituted benzamides stereospecifically.The photolyses in 2,3-dimethylbutane showed the same insertion regioselectivity ratio toward the C-H bonds as that of singlet benzoylnitrene in the direct photolysis.These facts indicate the existence of the singlet nitrene despite the triplet photosensitization and provide a chemical evidence for the establishment of a singlet-triplet equilibrium for benzoylnitrene.