Mercury- and Cadmium-photosenzitized Reactions of γ-Butyrolactone

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.57.3408

The mercury- and cadmium-photosensitized rections of γ-butyrolactone have been compared.The products obtained in the two photosensitizations were quite different.The gaseous products from the mercury-photosensitized reaction were carbon dioxide, cyclopropane, and propylene, while the products obtained in the cadmium-photosensitized reaction were carbon monoxide and ethylene.This difference suggests that the decomposition of γ-butyrolactone takes place through different intermediates in the two reactions.Possible mechanisms are discussed.