Photoaddition Reactions of 5-Fluoro-4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclopentenone

The photoaddition of 5-fluoro-4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclopentenone ( 4 ) to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene leads specifically (in cyclohexane) and selectively (in acetonitrile) to the formation of the oxetanes 16 . The title compound is compared in its behaviour to the analogous 6-fluoro-4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclohexenone ( 1 ) and both α'-fluoro-4,4-dimethyl-2-cycloalkenones in turn are compared to the corresponding 2-cycloalkenones ( 6 and 3 ) and 4,4-dimethyl-2-cycloalkenones ( 5 and 2 ). The quantum yield for the addition of these enones to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and to cyclopentene are discussed.