Upon UV irradiation in methanol, triphenylphosphate (1a) gave biphenyl
yl phenyl phosphate (2a) as the main product, whereas the addition of
water to the solution caused an increase of the yield of biphenyl (3a)
. These products were formed through a singlet excited state and an in
tramolecular excimer, respectively. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.