PHOTOLYSIS OF METHANOLIC SOLUTIONS OF BENZYL ACETATE

Photolysis of solutions of benzyl acetate in CD3OD has been studied. A s has been established based on the effects of CIDNP and the yields of products, decomposition of the starting compound occurs from both exc ited singlet and triplet electronic states. The contributions of homol ysis and solvolysis to the overall photochemical process have been mea sured, and the lifetimes of the acetoxy radicals formed have been eval uated. Toluene-d has been shown to be formed mostly by disproportionat ion of benzyl radicals with hydroxymethyl radicals derived from the so lvent molecules.