PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF (FERROCENYLMETHYL)TRIPHENYLPHOSPHONIUM SALTS

The photochemistry of (ferrocenylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium salts in acetonitrile and in acetonitrile-alcohols/amines is investigated. in a cetonitrile, the only ferrocenyl product arises from reactions of ferr ocenylmethyl radicals, whilst in mixtures of acetonitrile-alcohols/ami nes, high yields of the photosolvolysis products are obtained. The eff ect of the phosphonium salt counterion is investigated and, a mechanis m is proposed to account for the product distribution. The possible ro le of the metal in the reactions is discussed.