Photochemical incorporation of protic solvents by open chain olefins

Irradition of methyl styryl sulphoxide dissolved in MeOH, EtOH, or AcOH induces the photochemical polar addition of the solvents to afford the product, PhCH(OR)CH₂SOMe, where R is Me, Et, or Ac. By-products are the corresponding sulphides, PhCH(OR)CH₂SMe, and methyl styryl sulphide. Similar adducts of protic solvents are produced upon irradiation of certain vinylic sulphides, methyl phenethynyl sulphide, as well as appropriately substituted propenylbenzenes including o-anethole, o-anol, and o-propenylaniline in soln.