Photolysis of oxygen saturated ethers in the presence of Sn(II) or Cu(II) salts

Photolysis of diethyl ether-oxygen charge transfer complex in the presence of Sn(II) or Cu(II) salts gave higher yields of the oxidation products, eth yl acetate, acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethyl formate and methanol compared with those without the salts. In addition, the photolysis of an oxygen saturate d tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dibutyl ether solution gave gamma -butyrolactone or butanol and butyl butyrate as major products with snail amounts of unde termined compounds, respectively. Their yields were also affected by the ad dition of Cu(II) or sn(II) salts.