THERMOLYSIS AND PHOTOLYSIS OF ALPHA-(ARYLOXY) ACETOPHENONES

Thermolysis of neat alpha-(aryloxy)acetophenones I-III at ca 260 degre es C for 3 days leads to the formation of biphenyl, benzil, benzoic ac id, acetophenone, and the corresponding phenol, benzaldehyde, benzyl a lcohol, benzofuran and styrene. Thermolysis of I in the presence of is oquinoline gave 1-phenylisoquinoline, in addition to the previous prod ucts. Direct photolysis of I-III in acetonitrile gave results similar to those of thermolysis. Qualitative differences between the thermolyt ic and photolytic products are discussed. A suitable mechanism has bee n suggested to account for their formation.