Intramolecular [3+2]-photocycloadditions of alkenyl methyl 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylates

Intramolecular [3+2]-photocycloadditions of alkenyl methyl 1,4-naphthalened icarboxylates, which contain rather remote alkene moieties corresponding to isobutene or a-methylstyrene, proceeded largely depending on the chain len gths to give [3+2]-adducts having nine- to eleven-membered ring systems as well as the characteristic five-membered ring structures. Intramolecular qu enching of the fluorescence of the diester moiety by the alkene moiety was observed in response to the occurrence of the [3+2]-photocycloadditions. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.