Solvent dependence of singlet oxygen / substrate interactions in ene-reactions, (4+2)- and (2+2)-cycloaddition reactions

Product formation of singlet oxygen reactions with simple olefins occurring as ene-reactions, (4+2)- and (2+2)-cycloaddition reactions is independent on solvent polarity. Thus, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (1) and 2-methy]-2-butene (3), 1,3-cyclohexadiene (6), and benzvalene (8) yield allylic hydroperoxides (2) and(4) (54%) + (5) (46%), endoperoxide (7), and dioxetane (9), respectively. The rates of the ene-reactions and (4+2)-cycloaddition reactions are only slightly dependent, those of the (2+2)-cycloaddition reaction, however,are clearly dependent on solvent polarity. “Physical” quenching of singlet oxygen by the olefins is negligible, but substantial by the sensitizer tetraphenylporphin (TPP) in chlorinated solvents.