Thermal and Photofragmentation of N-Benzoylhydrazone Derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jccs.199800115

Two selected benzoylhydrazones I and II were subjected to thermolysis by reflux at 200 °C. Benzil, benzoic acid, biphenyl, benzanilide together with the corresponding ketones, nitriles and imines were isolated. Similar treatment of the third hydrazone III at 250 °C afforded, in addition to the previous products, bibenzyl, stilbene, and 2-phenylindole. Photolysis of the same hydrazones I-III in acetonitrile gave the previously reported products but in different ratios along with azine derivatives and substituted methanes. A free radical mechanism involving homolysis of the N-N and C-N bonds is suggested, substantiated by trapping of phenyl radical with isoquinoline, to account for the formation of the identified products.