Control over Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer and Photoinduced Tautomerization: Influence of the Hydrogen‐Bond Geometry

The influence of H‐bond geometry on the dynamics of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and photoinduced tautomerization in a series of phenol‐quinoline compounds is investigated. Control over the proton donor–acceptor distance (d_DA) and dihedral angle between the proton donor–acceptor subunits is achieved by introducing methylene backbone straps of increasing lengths to link the phenol and quinoline. We demonstrate that a long d_DA correlates with a higher barrier for ESIPT, while a large dihedral angle opens highly efficient deactivation channels after ESIPT, preventing the formation of the fully relaxed tautomer photoproduct.     

A New Monomer for π‐Conjugated Polymers — Synthesis and Characterization of Bis((Z)‐5‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole‐4‐yl)monosulfane

Bis((Z)‐5‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole‐4‐yl)monosulfane ( 6 ), a molecule consisting of two diphenyldithiafulvene units connected by a sulfur bridge, was synthesized by the selective lithiation of (Z)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole ( 7a ) at the endocyclic double bond and by subsequent reaction of the lithiated intermediate with bis(phenylsulfonyl)sulfane. Since this reaction sequence proceeded with retention of configuration, of three possible isomers (E, E, Z, E, and Z, Z) only the Z, Z form was obtained. On the basis of the X‐ray structure analysis and the NMR‐spectroscopic characterization of 6 supplemented by the NMR parameters of (E)‐ and (Z)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole, it was demonstrated that two characteristic ⁵J coupling constants of the proton at the exocyclic double bond indicate the configuration (Z or E) of disubstituted dithiafuvene derivatives.     

Quantum-chemical study of photoisomerization and photoinduced proton transfer in hydroxystyrylquinolines

The structures of 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)quinoline 1 and 2-(2-hydroxystyryl)quinoline 2 have been optimized by the semiempirical methods PM3 and PM3-CI(8 × 8) with configuration interaction for the ground (S₀) and the excited singlet (S₁) states, respectively. The relative stability of the E- and Z-isomers, the quinoid tautomers, and the spiropyran form for compound 2 was calculated. It was found that hydroxyl-containing tautomers were more stable in the S₀ state, and the quinoid tautomers are more stable in the S₁ state. The calculations predict the possibility of photoisomerization and photoinduced proton transfer in hydroxystyrylquinolines.     

Spectroscopic Study of the E/Z Photoisomerization of a New Cyrhetrenyl Acylhydrazone: A Potential Photoswitch and Photosensitizer†

The new cyrhetrenyl acylhydrazone [(CO)₃Re(η⁵‐C₅H₄)‐C(O)‐NH‐N = C(CH₃)‐(2‐C₄H₂S‐5‐NO₂)] ( E‐CyAH ) has been designed, synthesized and fully characterized to study the effect of having a cyrhetrenyl fragment (sensitizer) covalently bonded to an acylhydrazone moiety (switch), on its photophysical and photochemical properties. The crystal structure reveals that E‐CyAH adopts an E‐configuration around the iminic moiety [‐N = C(CH₃)]. The absorption spectrum of E‐CyAH displays two bands at 270 and 380 nm, which are mainly ascribed to π → π* intraligand (IL) and d_π → π* metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions, being consistent with DFT/TD‐DFT calculations. Upon 365 nm irradiation, E‐CyAH photoisomerizes to Z‐CyAH , as evidenced by UV‐Vis and ¹H‐NMR spectral changes, with a quantum yield value Φ_{E‐CyAH →Z‐CyAH} of 0.30. Z‐CyAH undergoes a first‐order thermal back‐isomerization process, with a relatively short half‐life τ_1/2 of 277 min. Consequently, E‐CyAH was quantitatively recovered after 24 h, making it a fully reversible T‐type molecular photoswitch. This remarkable behavior allows us to measure the individual photophysical properties for both isomers. In addition, E‐CyAH and Z‐CyAH efficiently photosensitize the generation of singlet oxygen (O₂ (¹Δ_g)) with good yield (Φ_Δ = 0.342).     

Rotationally‐hindered furyl fulgides

Fulgides are a representative class of photochromic organic molecules which exhibit several interesting properties for diverse applications in fields such as data storage or high‐resolution spectroscopy. The crystal structures of three furyl fulgides with different steric constraints were determined and for two of the compounds both the E and Z isomer structures were defined. The compounds are 3‐[(E)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐2‐benzofuran‐4‐ylidene]‐4‐isopropylidenetetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₇H₁₈O₄, (I‐E), 3‐[(E)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐cyclohepta[c]furan‐4‐ylidene]‐4‐isopropylidenetetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₈H₂₀O₄, (II‐E), and the Z isomer, (II‐Z), and 3‐isopropylidene‐4‐[(E)‐1‐(5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐yl)ethylidene]tetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₉H₁₈O₅, (III‐E), with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, and the Z isomer, (III‐Z). The structures of the E and Z isomers show only little differences in the bond lengths and angles inside the hexatriene unit. Because of the strained geometry there are deviations in the torsion angles. Furthermore, small differences in the distances between the bond‐forming C atoms in the electrocyclization process give no explanation for the unequal photochromic behaviour.     

Stereochemistry,tautomerism, and reactions of acridinyl thiosemicarbazides in the synthesis of 1,3‐thiazolidines

Acridin‐9‐yl hydrazine upon treatment with various isothiocyanates (RNCS, R = methyl, allyl, phenyl, p‐methoxy phenyl, and p‐nitro phenyl) yielded the corresponding thiosemicarbazides with acridine substituted on the carbazide‐type side. The alkyl‐substituted compounds were present in solution as equilibria consisting of the major H‐10, H‐12 tautomer (either E or Z or both about the C₁₃‐N₁₄ bond) and the minor H‐10, SH tautomer (either E or Z or both). The major species for the aromatic‐substituted compounds was the H‐10, H‐12 E tautomer, with the evident minor species being the H‐10, H‐12 Z tautomer. The thiosemicarbazides were each quantitatively converted into the analogous semicarbazides upon treatment with mesitylnitrile oxide wherein all structures were present in solution as the H‐10 tautomers with Z conformation about the C₁₃‐N₁₄ bond. Methylation of the compounds with methyl iodide yielded S‐methylated compounds wherein the Z configuration dominated in each case over the E configuration along the N₁₂‐C₁₃ double bond. Treatment of the thiosemicarbazides with methyl bromoacetate resulted in the formation of 1′,3′‐thiazolidin‐4′‐ones wherein the Z configuration predominated in each case over the E configuration along the N₁₂? C₁₃ double bond. With bromoacetonitrile as the bifunctional electrophile, the initial 1′,3′‐thiazolidin‐4′‐imines that formed spontaneously underwent Dimroth‐type rearrangement to the regiosiomeric 1′,3′‐thiazolidin‐4′‐imines.     

Photochemical reactions. 144th Communication. Photochemistry of 5,6-epoxy-1,3-dienes in the ionone series: Influence of a methoxy group in position 7

On triplet excitation (λ > 280 nm, acetone), the epoxydiene (E)- 5 undergoes initial cleavage of the C(5)? O bond of the oxirane and subsequent cleavage of the C(6)? C(7) bond leading to the diradical intermediate e which reacts by recombination furnishing the cyclic compounds (E/Z)- 6 , (E/Z)- 7,8 , and 9 . Alternatively, a H -shift leads to the aliphatic methyl-enol ether 10 which undergoes a photochemical [2+2]-cycloaddition to compounds 12 and 13 , the main products on triplet excitation of (E)- 5 . On singlet excitation (λ = 254 nm, MeCN), (E)- 5 undergoes cleavage to the carbene intermediates f and g . The vinyl carbene f reacts with the adjacent double bond furnishing the cyclopropene 14 as the main product. From the carbene intermediate g , the methyl-enol ether 15 arises by carbene insertion into the neighboring C? H bond. Furthermore, the diastereomer of the starting material, the epoxydiene (E)- 16 , and compounds 17A+B are formed via the ylide intermediate h . Finally, the cyclobutene 18 is the product of an electrocyclic reaction of the diene side chain.     

Dipole-stabilized carbanions in the series of cyclic aldonitrones. 3. The influence of the configuration of the nitrone group on H—D exchange of the methine hydrogen atom and metallation of aldonitrones

The spin-spin coupling constants ³ J _C,H between the hydrogen atom of the aldonitrone group and the carbon atom bound to the nitrogen atom of the N-oxide fragment were determined for a wide range of cyclic and acyclic aldonitrones. Based on comparison of these constants (trans-³ J _C,H (E isomer) > cis-³ J _C,H (Z isomer)), the Z configuration was assigned to acyclic nitrones. Coordination of organolithium compounds to the oxygen atom of the NO group was revealed by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. This coordination is the necessary condition for the metallation of aldonitrones. The configuration of the nitrone group is responsible for the ability of the E form of acyclic aldonitrones to undergo CD₃ONa-catalyzed isotope exchange of the methine proton in CD₃OD and metallation with Bu^sLi.     

Photochemical reactions. 137th communication. Preparation and photolysis of (E/Z)-7-methyl-β-ionone

The title compounds (E/Z)- 7 were prepared in 66% overall yield by reaction of β-ionone ((E)-( 1 ) with lithium dimethylcuprate, trapping of the intermediate enolate with benzeneselenenyl bromide and oxidation with H₂O₂. Analogously, (E/Z)-7-methyl-α-inone ((E/Z)- 12 ) was obtained in 65% yield from α-ionone ((E)- 11 ). ¹n, π^*- Excitation (λ > 347 nm, pentane) of (E)-7 causes rapid (E/Z)-isomerization and subsequent reaction of (Z)- 7 to 15 (66%). The formation of 15 is explained by twisting of the dienone chromophore due to repulsive interaction of the 7-CH₃-group with the CH₃-groups of the cyclohexene ring. On the other hand, irradiation λ > 347 nm, Et₂O) of (E)- 7 in the presence of acid leads to (Z)- 7 (5%) and to the novel compound 16 (88%).     

Photochemical reactions. 148th communication. Photochemistry of acylsilanes: Preparation,photolyses, and thermolyses of α,β-unsaturated silyl ketones

The syntheses, photolyses, and thermolyses of the α,β-unsaturated silyl ketones (E/Z)-7, (E)- 8 , and (E)- 9 are described. On n,π*-excitation (λ > 347 mm), the aforementioned compounds undergo (E/Z)-isomerization followed by γ-H abstraction. The intermediate enols are trapped intermolecularly by siloxycarbenes leading to the dimeric acetals 27A + B, 30A + B , and 31A + B . In addition, the acylsilanes (E/Z)- 7 undergo photoisomerization by δ-H abstraction furnishing the acylsilanes 29A + B . Flash vacuum thermolyses (FVT) of (E/Z)- 7 , (E/Z)- 8 , and (E)- 9 give rise to intramolecular reactions of the siloxycarbene intermediates. Thus, FVT (520°) of (E)- and (Z)- 7 selectively leads to the enol silyl ethers 32 and (E)- 33 , respectively, arising from carbene insertion into an allylic C–-H bond. FVT of (E/Z)- 8 (560°) and (E)- 9 (600°) affords the trienol silyl ethers 34A + B and the cyclic silyl ethers 37A + B , respectively, which are formed by CH insertion of the siloxycarbenes. As further products of (E)- 8 and (E)- 9 , the bicyclic enol ethers 35 and 36 are formed, presumably via siloxycarbene addition to the cyclohexene C?C bond.     

Studies on the Stereochemistry of 2-(Nitromethylidene)-Heterocycles

The ¹H-NMR spectra of 2-(nitromethylidene)pyrrolidine ( 7 ), 1-methyl-2-(nitromethylidene)imidazolidind ( 10 ) and 3-(nitromethylidene)tetrahydrothiazine ( 11 ) in CDCl₃ and (CD₃)₂SO indicate that these compounds have the intramolecularly H-bonded structures (Z)- 7 , (E)- 10 and (Z)- 11 while the N-methyl derivative 8 of 7 is (E)-configurated in both solvents. 1-Benzylamino-1-(methyltio)-2-nitroehtylene ( 13 ), an acylic model, has the H-bonded configuration (E)- 13 in CDCl₃ and in (CD₃)₂SO. 2-(Nitromethylidene)thiazolidine ( 3 ) has the (E)-configuration in CDCl₃ but exists in (CD₃)₂SO as a mixture of (Z)- and (E)-isomers with the former predominating. Both species are detected to varying proportions in a mixture of the two solvents. ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy of 3 ruled out unambiguously the nitronic acid structure 6 and the nitromethyleimine structure 5 . The N-methyl derivative 4 of 3 is (Z)-configurated in (CD₃)₂SO. Comparison of the olefinic proton shifts of (Z)- 3 and (Z)- 4 with those of analogues and also of 1,1-bis(methylti)-2-nitroethylene ( 12 ) shows decreased conjugation of the lone pair of electrons of the ring N-atom in (Z)- 3 and (Z)- 4 . This is also supported by ¹³C-NMR studies. Plausible explanations for the phenomenon are offered by postulating that the ring N-atoms are pyramidal in (Z)- 3 and (Z)- 4 and planar in other cases or, alternatively, that the conjugated nitroenamine system gets twisted due to steric interaction between the NO₂-group and the ring S-atom. Single-crystal X-ray studies of 3 and 8 show that the former exists in the (Z)-configuration and the latter in (E)-configuration; the ring N-atom in the former has slightly more pyramidal character than in the latter.     

Biosynthesis of δ-Jasmin Lactone ( = (Z)-Dec-7-eno-5-lactone) and (Z,Z)-Dodeca-6,9-dieno-4-lactone in the Yeast Sporobolomyces odorus

(all-Z)-(9,10,12,13,15,16-²H₆)Octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid ( = α-linolenic acid; D₆- 4 ) was synthesized to investigate the biochemical formation of linolenic-acid-derived aroma compounds in cultures of the yeast Sporobolomyces odorus, using an established gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method. Three compounds were identified as labeled: (Z)-dec-7-eno-5-lactone (δ-jasmin lactone), (Z,Z)-dodeca-6,9-dieno-4-lactone, and (2E,4Z)-hepta-2,4-dienoic acid. Both lactones were biosynthesized mostly under conservation of the initial configuration from their corresponding oxygenated linolenic-acid intermediates. The application of (13S,9Z,11E,15Z)-13-hydroxy(9,10,12,13,15, 16-²H₆)octadeca-9,11,15-trienoic acid (D₆- 7 ) as a OH-functionalized precursor of δ-jasmin lactone allowed to gain insight into the stereochemical course of the biosynthesis to both enantiomers of this lactone. In this experiment, 88.3% of the metabolized labeled precursor was transformed under retention of the original configuration of the (R)-enantiomer. This investigation is also a contribution to a better understanding of the C?C bond isomerization steps which took place during the β-oxidative degradation of the substrate.     

Conformational analysis of rigid enol-ethers by proton nuclear magnetic resonance

Z,E isomers of rigid enol-ethers were studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance. As with oximes, it was found that the chemical shift difference (Δδ=δ_z?δ_E) for the protons α to the function in question depends on the dihedral angle between the C_α? H and C?C bonds. This phenomenon can be explained by an electric field effect and not by a magnetic anisotropy effect. The present study has allowed the derivation of values of the volume magnetic susceptibility and the product of b×the dipole moment for the C? O bond.     

Caulerpenyne-Amine Reacting System as a Model for in vivo Interactions of Ecotoxicologically Relevant Sesquiterpenoids of the mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed caulerpa taxifolia

Caulerpenyne ( 1 ), the most abundant of the ecotoxicologically relevant sesquiterpenoids of the Mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia, was found to react with Et₃N or pyridine in MeOH by initial deprotection of C(1)HO to give oxytoxin 1 ( 2a ), previously isolated from the sacoglossan mollusc Oxynoe olivacea. With BuNH₂, without any precaution to exclude light, 1 gave the series of racemic 3 and 4 , and achiral (4E,6E)- 5 , (4E,6Z)- 5 , (4Z,6E)- 5 , and (4Z,6Z)- 5 pyrrole compounds, corresponding to formal C(4) substitution, 4,5-β-elimination, and (E/Z)-isomerization at the C(4)?C(5) and C(6)?C(7) bonds. Changing to CDCl₃ as solvent in the dark, 1 gave cleanly, via 2a as an intermediate, 3 and (4E,6E)- 5 . The latter proved to be prone to (E/Z)-photoisomerization. Under standard acetylation conditions, 3 gave (4E,6E)- 5 via acetamide 7 as an intermediate. Particular notice is warranted by selective deprotection of 1 at C(1), mimicking enzyme reactions, and unprecedented formation of pyrrole compounds from freely-rotating, protected 1,4-dialdehyde systems.     

Reaction of 2-methylquinoline with 3-phenylprop-2-ynenitrile in the KOH—H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

The reaction of 2-methylquinoline with 3-phenylprop-2-ynenitrile in the presence of water (0—25 °C, 20 mol.% KOH, 5 equiv. H₂O) is accompanied by the loss of aromaticity of the quinoline nucleus and results in double functionalization of the molecule at the nitrogen atom and the methyl group. Two 2-cyano-1-phenylethenyl groups were introduced into the molecule to form (2E,4E)-4-{1-[(Z)-2-cyano-1-phenylethenyl]quinolin-2(1H)-ylidene}-3-phenylbut-2-enenitrile in 59—67% yield. This reaction is stereoselective: the N-2-cyano-1-phenylethenyl-substituent has the Z-configuration, while the 1,3-diene moiety at the methyl group has the E,E-configuration. (2E)-3-Phenyl-4-(quinolin-2-yl)but-2-enenitrile that formed as a by-product (0—24% yields) is formally the addition product of the methyl group of the quinoline substrate at the acetylenic bond.     

1H NMR utilization of through-space effects: III—configuration of oximes and analogous compounds

The configurational assignment of Z and E nitrogen derivatives () of 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one was made taking into consideration the through-space effects on oxime, O-methyloxime, dimethylhydrazone, tert-butylimine, N,N,N -trimethylhydrazonium iodide and oxime hydrochloride derivatives. The relationship between the magnitude of the chemical shifts of the α-protons and the dihedral angle formed by the α-C? H bond and the C?N? OH plane was interpreted in terms of the geometrical dependence of the electric field effect. For the different Y substituents, the change in chemical shift between the Z and the E configuration of the proton near the functional group was mainly dependent on the electric field effect.     

Preparation and Characterization of N,N′-Dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminium Chlorides,N,N′-Dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdimines,and Lithium N,N′-Dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminates

We describe convenient preparations of N,N′-dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminium chlorides, N,N′-dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdimines, and lithium N,N′-dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminates in which the alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butyl. For the dialdiminium salts, the N₂C₃ backbone is always in the trans-s-trans configuration. Three isomers are present in solution except for the tert-butyl compound, for which only two isomers are present; increasing the steric bulk of the N-alkyl substituents shifts the equilibrium away from the (Z,Z) isomer in favor of the (E,Z), and (E,E) isomers. For the neutral dialdimines, crystal structures show that the methyl and isopropyl compounds adopt the (E,Z) form, whereas the tert-butyl compound is in the (E,E) form. In aprotic solvents all four dialdimines (as well as the lithium dialdiminate salts) adopt cis-s-cis conformations in which there presumably is either an intramolecular hydrogen bond (or a lithium cation) between the two nitrogen atoms.     

Steric structure of alkyl 2-aryl(hetaryl)hydrazono-3-fluoroalkyl-3-oxopropionates

Steric structure of fluorinated 2-arylhydrazono-3-oxo esters was studied by ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. It was found that these compounds in the crystalline state and in solutions in acetone-d ₆, DMSO-d ₆, and CDCl₃ exist as Z isomers with the ester fragment involved in intramolecular hydrogen bond with the hydrazone NH proton. Exceptions are alkyl 2-arylhydrazono-4,4-difluoro-3-oxobutanoates which exist in acetone-d ₆ as mixtures of Z and E isomers, the former prevailing. Unlike fluorinated analogs, ethyl 2-(4-methylphenyl)hydrazono-3-oxobutanoate in crystal has the structure of E isomer in which intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the NH proton and acetyl carbonyl group. The same compound in acetone-d ₆, DMSO-d ₆, and CDCl₃ gives rise to a mixture of Z and E isomers, the latter prevailing.     

Azimine. V.. Untersuchungen zur stereoisomerie an der N(2), N(3)-bindung von 2, 3-dialkyl-1-phthalimido-aziminen

Azimines. V. Investigation on the Stereoisomerism Around the N (2), N (3) Bond in 2, 3-Dialkyl-1-phthalimido-azimines 2, 3-(cis-1, 3-Cyclopentylene)-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 7 ) and isomerically pure (2 Z)- and (2 E)-2, 3-diisopropyl-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 9a and 9b ) were prepared by the addition of phthalimido-nitrene ( 1 ) to 2, 3-diazabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 6 ) and to (E)- and (Z)-1, 1′-dimethylazoethane ( 8a and 8b ), respectively. Comparison of their UV. spectra with those of two stereoisomeric azimines of known configuration, namely (1 E, 2 Z)- and (1 Z, 2 E)-2, 3-dimethyl-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 5a and 5b ), reveals that 2, 3-dialkyl-1-phthalimido-azimines with (2 Z)-configuration are characterized by a shoulder at about 258 nm (? ≈? 14,000) and those with (2 E)-configuration by a maximum at 270–278 nm (? ≈? 10,000). The (2 E)-azimine 9b isomerizes under acid catalysis as well as thermally and photochemically into the more stable (2 Z)-isomer 9a . Under the last two conditions the isomerization is accompanied by a slower fragmentation with loss of nitrogen into N, N′-diisopropyl-N, N′-phthaloylhydrazine ( 4 , R = iso-C₃H₇). The same fragmentation was also observed on thermolysis and photolysis of the (2 Z)-isomer 9a . The kinetic parameters for the thermal isomerization of 9b (they fit first-order plots) and for the fragmentation of 9a and 9b were determined by ¹H-NMR. spectroscopy in benzene, trichloromethane and acetonitrile. In the photolysis of 9a or 9b the fragmentation is accompanied by dissociation into the azo compounds 8a or 8b and the nitrene 1 , the latter being subject to trapping by cyclohexene. With the azimine 7 , an analogous thermal fragmentation was observed to give N, N′-(cis-1, 3-cyclo-pentylene)-N, N′-phthaloylhydrazine ( 15 ), but more energetic conditions were required than with 9 . Photolysis of 7 led exclusively to dissociation into the azo compound 6 and the nitrene 1 , perhaps because the fragmentation of 7 is prevented by ring strain.     

Photochemical reactions. 143rd communication. Photochemistry of 5,6-epoxy-1,3-dienes in the ionone series. Influence of a hydroxy group in the 7-position

The synthesis and photolyses of the epoxydiene (E)- 5 are described. On triplet excitation (λ > 280 nm, acetone), (E)- 5 undergoes initial cleavage of the C(5) O bond leading to the intermediate c. Presumably an H-shift ( c → e ) followed by the fragmentation of the 1,4-diradical e leads (via the enol 37 ) to the diketones (E)- 6 and (Z)- 12 . Alternatively cleavage of the C(6) C(7) bond of c furnishes the diradical intermediate d which reacts by recombination leading to (E)- 13A + B, 16 , and 17A + B , or by an H-shift to the enol intermediate 38 . The latter undergoes an aldol-type reaction to (E/Z)- 14A + B and (E/Z)- 15A + B , as well as a photochemical [2 + 2]-cycloaddition to 18 . On singlet excitation (λ = 254 nm, MeCN), (E)- 5 undergoes photocleavage to the carbene intermediates f and g . The vinyl carbene f reacts with the adjacent double bond furnishing the cyclopropene 22 as the main product. From the carbene intermediate g , compounds 23, 24 , and 25 arise by carbene insertion into the neighboring C C or C H bond. Furthermore, the diastereomer of the starting material, the epoxydiene (E)- 20 , is formed via the ylide intermediate h .