10.1021/ja00280a028
The study investigates the photohydration reactions of various o-hydroxy- and o-methoxystyrenes (compounds 1-10), as well as p-hydroxy- (11) and p-methoxystyrene (12) through intramolecular proton transfer. The researchers found that non-nitro-substituted o-hydroxystyrenes undergo Markovnikov addition of water to form 1-arylethanols, while nitro-substituted o-hydroxystyrenes show no pH dependence in product quantum yield and produce 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethanols via anti-Markovnikov addition. The study also explores the effects of different substituents on the reaction efficiency, acid catalysis, and regioselectivity. The absolute quantum yields for compounds 1 and 9 at pH 2 were determined to be 0.19 and 0.41, respectively. The researchers used various techniques, including UV spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching, and triplet sensitization and quenching experiments, to analyze the reaction mechanisms and rate constants. The results provide insights into the structural requirements and effective molarities necessary for efficient intramolecular proton transfer in photohydration reactions.