X-ray crystallographic analysis of N,N-diallylcoumarincarboxamides and the solid-state photochemical reaction

X-ray crystallographic analysis and the photochemical aspects of N,N-diallylcoumarincarboxamides were investigated. Irradiation of the corresponding amides promoted stereoselective intramolecular cyclobutane formation exclusively. The solid-state photoreaction of the coumarinamide without substituent on the 4-position proceeded in a crystal-to-crystal manner. On the other hand, photolysis of the amide possessing a methyl group at the 4-position also effected 2+2 cycloaddition; however, the reaction proceeded much slower. The difference in the reactivity was explainable on the basis of the molecular conformation in the crystal lattice.