SENSITIZED PHOTOOXIDATION OF METHYLCYCLOHEXANE AS A THIN-FILM ON SEAWATER BY IRRADIATION WITH NATURAL SUNLIGHT

Methylcyclohexane dissolved in and forming a thin film on purified sea water with traces of anthraquinone added as triplet sensitizer was exp osed to natural sunlight in a quartz flask. The water was circulated t hrough a glass cartridge filled with Amberlite XAD-2 for the concentra tion of reaction products which were identified by GC/MS after elution and silica gel chromatography. They included isomeric methylcyclohexa nols as the principal components, primary hydroperoxides, a tentativel y identified secondary peroxide, methylcyclohexanones, and acyclic ket ones. Mass spectra and mechanisms are discussed as well as possible bi ological consequences of the formation of these compounds.