Photochemische Reaktionen 113. Mitteilung [1]. Zur Photospaltung konjugierter γ, δ-Epoxyenone: UV.-Bestrahlung von 5, 6-Epoxy-3,4-didehydro-5,6-dihydro-β-jonon

The Photoinduced Cleavage of Conjugated γ, δ-Epoxyenones: UV.-Irradiation of 5,6-Epoxy-3, 4-didehydro-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone On ¹n, π*-excitation (λ ≥ 347 nm) in pentane or CClF₂CFCl₂ (E)- 1 is isomerized to the dihydrofurane (E/Z)- 2 as well to the ethers 3 and 5. Besides these products the isomeric cyclopropane derivative (E)- 4 and the acetal 6 are obtained in methanol. The detection of 6 indicates the formation of an intermediate ketoniumylide a which may give 6 by addition of methanol. ? On ¹π, π*-excitation (λ=254 nm) in acetonitrile-d₃, CClF₂CFCl₂ or pentane (E)- 1 yields almost exclusively (E)- 2. In methanol 6 is obtained in addition to (E/Z)- 2 , but no (E)- 4 and 5 is formed.     

Säurekatalysierte Umlagerung von trans-5,6-Dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-β-jonon

On treatment with acid, trans-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone 2 undergoes a clean rearrangement to give a mixture of the furylketone 5 and the aliphatic triketone 6 in good yield.     

Thermal Rearrangement of 5,6-Epimino-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone and Derivatives

Thermolysis of 5,6-epimino-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone ( 1 ) and its N-methyl derivative ( 2 ) leads to their monocyclic isomers 6 and 10 , respectively, presumably due to a direct [1,5]-H shift; on prolonged heating, these isomers are converted easily into pyrrole derivatives. In contrast, the thermoisomer 12 resulting from 5,6-(N-methoxycarbonyl)epimino-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone ( 3 ) by the same mechanism, does not undergo further ring transformation, but equilibrates with its more stable tautomer 13 .     

Synthese und Chiralität von (5S, 6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotin und (5R, 6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β,β-carotin-5,6-diol,einem Carotinoid mit ungewöhnlichen Eigenschaften

Synthesis and Chirality of (5S,6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene and (5R,6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,6-diol, a Compound with Unexpected Solubility Characteristics Wittig-condensation of azafrinal ( 1e ) with the phosphorane derived from 7 leads to a (1:3)-mixture of (E)-9′- and (Z)-9′-β,β-carotene-diol 3 , from which pure and optically active 3 ((5R,6R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,6-diol) has been isolated as bright violet leaflets, m.p. 168°. Due to the trans-configuration of the diol moiety and to severe steric hindrance, hydrogen bonding is reduced to such an extent, that 3 behaves much more as a hydrocarbon than as a diol. There is good evidence that the so-called ‘β-oxycarotin’ obtained by Kuhn & Brockmann [15] by chromic acid oxidation of β, β-carotene is the corresponding racemic cis-diol. 3 has been converted into (5S, 6R)-5,6-epoxy-5.6-dihydro-β,β-carotene ( 4 ), m.p. 156°. This transformation establishes for the first time the chirality of a caroteneepoxide (without other O-functions). Full spectral and chiroptical data including a complete assignement of ¹³C-chemical shifts for azafrin methyl ester and 3 are presented.     

Synthese von (−)-(5R,6S)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-ionon

Synthesis of (?)-(5R,6S)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone Optically active 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-ionones have been prepared for the first time and their absolute configurations were determined by correlation with (?)-(S)-α-ionone. Acid catalyzed hydrolysis of the epoxide proceeds with retention of the configuration at C(6) and with inversion at C(5).     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 104. Mitteilung [1]. Zur Photospaltung der C,C-Oxiranbindung konjugierter γ, δ-Epoxy-enone: Photolyse von 4-Methyliden-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-jonon

The photoinduced cleavage of the C,C-oxirane bond of γ, δ-epoxy-enones: UV.-irradiation of 4-methylidene-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone On ¹n, π*-excitation (λ ≥ 347 nm, pentane) 5 gives the isomeric bicyclic ether 10 in 75% yield (s. Scheme 2). In methanol the photoconversion of 5 to 10 is strongly reduced (12%) in favour of the formation of the methanol adduct 11 (43%). On photolysis in aqueous acetonitrile 5 is converted to the bicyclic ether 10 (9%), the dihydrofurane 12 (18%) as well as to the triketones 13A and 13B (7%), and 14 (23%). On ¹π, π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) in pentane no 10 is formed, but 5 isomerizes to the tricyclic cyclopropyl compound 16 (59%), the allenic product 17 (10%), and the cyclopropene compound 18 (12%; s. Scheme 3). Photolysis in methanol furnishes 11 (63%), and 18 (4%), but no tricyclic cyclopropyl compound 16 . In a secondary photoreaction (λ = 254 nm) the dihydrofurane 12 is isomerized to the bicyclic cyclopropyl compound 20 . Evidence is given that the products 11 and 13 are formed by solvent addition to an intermediate ketonium ylide b (s. Scheme 12). The presence of b is further proven by the formation of 12 , a product of an electrocyclization of b . On photofragmentation of b carbenoids d and e are presumably formed (s. Scheme 14). 1,2-Hydrogen shift in d yields the allene derivative 17 , and cyclization of d gives the cyclopropene compound 18 . On the other hand, e cyclizes to the non isolated cyclopropene compound 69 which is transformed to 16 by an intramolecular [4 + 2]-cycloaddition. The present investigation shows that the photochemistry of 5 is determined by photoinduced C,C-bond cleavage of the oxirane ring. This is in sharp contrast to the photochemistry of conjugated γ, δ-epoxy-enones without the additional double bond in ε, ζ-position, where selective photocleavage of the C(λ), O-bond is observed.     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 106. Mitteilung. Zur Photochemie tetraalkylsubstituierter γ-Keto-olefine

The Photochemistry of Tetraalkyl Substituted γ-Keto-olefines The photochemistry of 7,8-dihydro-β-ionone ( 1 ) in solution is shown to depend on temperature, polarity and viscosity of the solvent. UV. irradiation (λ ≥ 245 nm) in pentane at +25° converts 1 to the isomeric ethers 3 (16%), 5A (48%) and 5B (22%), whereas at ?65° 7,8-dihydro-γ-ionone ( 26 ) is obtained in 12% yield together with 13% of 3 , 12% of 5A and 9% of 5B . The ¹n,π*-excitation of 1 in acetonitrile gives similar results. In the more viscous 1,2,3-triacetoxypropane the photoisomerization 1 → 26 takes place even at + 60° (10% yield, cf. 40% at ?15°). In alcoholic solvents, however, no formation of 26 is detected, but the hitherto unknown [2+2]-photocycloaddition 1 → 11 can be observed (4% at ?7°, 15% at ?65S° in 2-propanol). An intermediate e may be involved (Scheme 14). In addition to the photoreactions 1 → 3, 5A, 5B and 11 the isomerization of 1 to the novel spirocyclic ketone 28 takes place in alcoholic solvents only. Photoisomerization 1 → 3 is presumably a photo-ene process involving a stereoselective intramolecular H-transfer. This type of photoisomerization is restricted to cyclic γ-keto-olefines. The tetraalkylated acyclic γ-keto-olefines 14 and 15 photoisomerize exclusively by [2+2]-cycloaddition, independent of the solvent. On ¹n,π*-excitation the δ,?-unsaturated bicyclic ketone 44 undergoes Norrish-Type-II photofragmentation to the diene 45 or isomerizes to the γ, ?-unsaturated ketone 17 . Competition between these two reactions is strongly temperature dependent: photolysis in pentane at ?72° yields quantitatively 45 , whereas at + 35° only 30% of 45 and 68% of 17 are obtained. UV. irradiation of the novel spirocyclic ketone 28 gives as primary photoproduct the isomeric aldehyde 29 , and in a secondary photoreaction the isomeric oxetanes 30A and 30B . Experiments with deuteriated substrates show that the isomerization of type 28 → 29 is stereocontrolled.     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 90. Mitteilung. Die UV.-Bestrahlung von (E)-5-Isopropyl-6-methyl-5,6-epoxy-hept-3-en-2-on

Photolysis of (E)-5-Isopropyl-6-methyl-5,6-epoxy-hept-3-en-2-on. This paper continues the series of investigations of the photochemistry of α, β-unsaturated γ, δ-epoxy-ketones, by examinating the photochemical behaviour of the aliphatic vinylogous epoxy-ketone 1 , the chromophore of which is structurally similar to that of γ, δ-epoxy-(E),β-ionone ( 44 ). On π, π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) 1 isomerizes mainly to the enol-ether 2 and gives as minor products the isomeric dihydrofurane 3 , the 1,5-diketones 4 and 5 and the 1,3-diketone 6 . To a smaller extent, 1 also undergoes photofragmentation to the furane 7 , the allenyl-ketone 8 and the cyclopropenyl-ketone 9 . On n,π*-excitation (λ ≥ = 347 nm) 1 yields the photoisomers 3 , 4 , 5 and in traces the hydroxyallenyl-ketone 14 , but no fragmentation products. It is shown that on irradiation at λ ≥ = 254 nm the 1,5-diketone 4 isomerizes to 5 , 6 and 15 and photodecarbonylates to the β, γ-unsaturated ketone 16 . The isomers 3 , 4 and 5 , obtained both from n, π*- and π,π*-excitation, represent products of cleavage of the C(γ)? O-bond in 1 . The enolether 2 , on the other hand, formed only by π,π*-excitation, results from cleavage of the C(γ)? C(δ)-bond. Finally, the fragmentation products 7 , 8 and 9 , which could be detected only on π,π*-excitation, may arise from a common intermediate g ? h .     

Photochemical Reactions 127th CommunicationPhotochemistry of Epoxy-enones: Intramolecular Trapping of a Carbonyl Ylide

On ¹n, π* -excitation 5, 6-epoxy-2-hydroxy-5, 6-dihydro-β-ionone ((E)-4) shows the typical behaviour of a, β-unsaturated γ, δ-epoxy ketones undergoing primarily C(γ), O-cleavage of the oxiran. However, ¹π, π*-excitation of (E)? 4 leads to enol ether 10 which is formed by intramolecular insertion of the hydroxyl group of the ylide c .     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 109. Mitteilung [1]. Zur Photochemie konjugierter δ-Keto-enone und β,γ,δ,ϵ-ungesättigter Ketone

Photochemistry of Conjugated δ-Keto-enones and β,γ,δ,?-Unsaturated Ketones On ¹π,π*-excitation the δ-keto-enones 5–8 are isomerized to compounds B ( 18 , 22 , 26 , 28 ) via 1,3-acyl shift and to compounds C ( 19 , 23 , 27 , 29 ) via 1,2-acyl shift, whereas the β,γ,δ,?-unsaturated ketone 9 gives the isomers 32 and 33 by 1,2-and 1,5-acyl shift, respectively. Furthermore, isomerization of 6 to 24 , dimerization of 8 to 30 and addition of methanol to 8 ( 8 → 31 ) is observed. Unlike 7 and 8 the acyclic ketones 5 , 6 and 9 undergo photodecarbonylation on ¹π,π*-excitation ( 5 → 20 , 21 ; 6 → 20 , 25 ; (E)- 9 → 35–38 ). Evidence is given, that the conversion to B as well as the photodecarbonylation of 5,6 and 9 arise from an excited singulet state, but the conversion to C as well as the dimerization of 8 from the T₁-state.     

Photochemical reactions. 134th Communication. Photochemistry of 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-3,4-methano-β-ionone: Influence of a cyclopropane ring on the reactivity of an ylide intermediate

On ¹n,π*-excitation(λ > 347 nm), the diastereomeric methanoepoxyenones (E)- 6 undergo isomerization via C,O-cleavage of the oxirane leading to diastereomeric photoproducts ((E)- 5 →(E/Z)- 13 and 14 ; (E)- 6 →(E/Z)- 16 and 17 ). On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) of either (E)- 5 ) or (E- 6 the photoproducts 9, 10 and 11 are formed. By laser flash photolysis (λ = 265 nm) the ylide intermediate 3 was detected, with a lifetime of 10 μs in MeCN at ambient temperature. Stern-Volmer analysis of the ylide quenching by MeOH disclosed that compounds 9 and 10 , but not 11 , arise from the ylide intermediate e .     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 118. Mitteilung [1] Zur vinylogen β-Spaltung von Enonen. UV.-Bestrahlung von 4-(3',7',7'-Trimethyl-2'-oxabicyclo [3.2.0]hept-3'-en-1'-yl)but-3-en-2-on

Vinylogous β-Cleavage of Enones: UV.-irradiation of 4-(3′,7′,7′-trimethyl-2′-oxabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-3′-ene-1′-yl)but-3-ene-2-on On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) in acetonitrile (E/Z)- 2 is converted into the isomers 4–9 and undergoes fragmentation yielding 10 ; in methanol (E/Z)- 2 gives 7–10 and is transformed into 11 by incorporation of the solvent. On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ λ?347 nm; benzene-d₆) (E)- 2 is isomerized into (Z)- 2 , which is converted into the isomers 3 and 4 by further irradiation. ¹π,π*-Excitation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile) of 4 gives 6 and (E)- 9 , whereas UV.-irradiation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile-d₃) of 5 yields (E)- 7 and 8 . On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile) of (E/Z)- 12 the compounds (E)- 14 and (E)- 15 are obtained.     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 97 Mitteilung [1]. Zur Photochemie konjugierter Epoxy-diene II. Versuche mit (E)-β-Jonyliden-epoxiden

Photolysis of Conjugated Epoxy-dienes Direct and sensitized excitation of the (E)-β-ionylidene-epoxides 1 and 4 leads to different types of isomerizations. Thus photocycloelimination to the cyclopropene-ketones 2 and 6 is only achieved by ¹(π, π*)-excitation (λ=254 nm), whereas ³(π, π*)-excitation (λ > 280 nm, acetone) gives selective C(1′), O-cleavage of the oxirane ( 1 → 7 – 10 and 4 → 11 – 13 ). In contrast to 1 the twofold methylsubstituted epoxy-diene 4 shows mainly (E/Z)-isomerization ( 4 → 5 ) on both ¹(π, π*)- and ³(π, π*)-excitation while the isomerizations 4 → 6 and 4 → 11 – 13 are minor processes, only.     

Photochemische Reaktionen 115. Mitteilung [1]. Zur Photochemie konjugierter γ,δ-Epoxyenone: Der Einfluss eines Hydroxylsubstituenten in ϵ-Stellung

Photochemistry of Conjugated γ,δ-Epoxyenones: The Influence of a Hydroxy Substituent in ?-Position On ¹n, π*- or ¹π,π*-excitation (λ ≥ 347 or λ=254 nm), the ?-hydroxy-γ;,δ-epoxyenone 8 undergoes fission of the C(γ)? O bond followed by the cleavage of the C(δ)-C(?) bond. This hitherto unknown sequence of reactions is evidenced by the structure determination of the new type products 10–17 and 25 , including a synthetic proof for 12 and the X-ray analysis of 11 (X-ray data: triclinic P1; a=7,386(2), b=8,904(4), c=9,684(5)Å; α=82,29(4)°, β=74,46(3)°, γ=82,29(3)°; Z=2). The selective ¹π,π*-excitation also induces competitive C(γ)-C(δ) bond cleavage to yield the bicyclic acetal 18 and a ketonium-ylide intermediate a , which photochemically forms a carbene b giving the allene 19 and the cyclopropene 20 . On ¹n,π*-excitation of the acetate 9 the initial C(γ)-O bond fission is, in contrast to the behaviour of the corresponding alcohol 8 , followed by a 1,2-methyl shift affording (E/Z)- 28 or by a cyclization-autoxidation process yielding the lactone 29 .     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 103. Mitteilung [1]. Zur Photochemie konjugierter Epoxy-en-carbonylverbindungen der Jonon-Reihe: UV.-Bestrahlung α,β-ungesättigter ε-Oxo-γ, δ-epoxy-carbonylverbindungen und Untersuchung des Mechanismus der Epoxy-enon/Furan-Isomerisierung

The Photochemistry of Conjugated γ,δ-Epoxy-ene-carbonyl Compounds of the Ionone Series: UV.-Irradiation of α,β-Unsaturated ε-Oxo-γ,δ-epoxy Compounds and Investigation of the Mechanism of the Isomerization of Epoxy-enones to Furanes On ¹n, π*-excitation (λ ≥ 347 nm; pentane) of the enonechromophore of 3 , three different reactions are induced: (E/Z)-isomerization to give 13 (7%), isomerization by cleavage of the C(γ)–C(δ) bond to yield the bicyclic ether 14 (36%) and isomerization by cleavage of the C(γ)? O bond to give the cyclopentanones 15 (13%) and 16 (11%; s. Scheme 2). On ¹π, π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile) 13 (14%), 15 (6%), and 16 (6%) are formed, but no 14 is detected. In contrast, isomerization by cleavage of the C(δ)? O bond to give the cyclopentanone 17 (23%) is observed. The reaction 3 → 17 appears to be the consequence of an energy transfer from the excited enone chromophore to the cyclohexanone chromophore, which then undergoes β-cleavage. Irradiation of 4 with light of λ = 254 nm (pentane) yields the analogous products 20 (18%), 21 (9%), 22 (7%), and 24 (7%; s. Scheme 2). Selective ¹n, π*-excitation (λ ≥ 280 nm) of the cyclohexanone chromophore of 4 induces isomerization by cleavage of the C(δ)? O bond to give the cyclopentanones 23 (9%) and 24 (44%). Triplet-sensitization of 4 by excited acetophenone induces (E/Z)-isomerization to provide 20 (12%) and isomerization by cleavage of the C(δ)? O bond to yield 21 (26%) and 22 (20%), but no isomerization via cleavage of the C(δ)? O bond. It has been shown, that the presence of the ε;-keto group facilitates C(γ)? C(δ) bond cleavage to give a bicyclic ether 14 , but hinders the epoxy-en-carbonyl compounds 3 and 4 from undergoing cycloeliminations. The activation parameters of the valence isomerization 13 → 18 , a thermal process, have been determined in polar and non-polar solvents by analysing the ¹H-NMR. signal intensities. The rearrangement proceeds faster in polar solvents, where the entropy of activation is about ?20 e.u. Opening of the epoxide ring and formation fo the furan ring are probably concerted.     

Synthese von 5,6-Epimino-5,6-dihydro-β-jonon

Synthesis of 5,6-Ephnino-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone In order to synthesize the title compound 5 the 2-azidoalcohols 3 and 4 were treated with various nucleophilic phosphorus compounds. It was found that the course of the reaction depends strongly upon the kind of nucleophilic phosphorus derivative used.     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 121. Mitteilung. Zur Photochemie von ε,ζ-Methano-α,γ-dienonen und 7,8-Methano-1,3,5-trienen

Photochemistry of ε,ζ-Methano-α,γ-dienones and 7,8-Methano-1,3,5-trienes Irradiation of the δ-cyclopropyl-dienone (E)- 6 (λ ≥ 347 nm) gives (Z)- 6, 10 (1,5-sigmatropic H-shift), (E/Z)- 9 (electrocyclic process involving C(ε), C(ζ)-cleavage) and 11 (ring opening). The corresponding 6-cyclopropyl-triene (E)- 7 gives on singlet excitation (δ > 280 nm) 14 (1,5-sigmatropic H-shift) and, to a smaller extent, the bicyclo [3.2.0] heptenyl-dienes (E/Z)- 13 . However, on triplet excitation (λ ≥ 347 nm, benzophenone) (E)- 7 gives (E/Z)- 13 as the main products. On both ¹π,π*- and ³π,π*-excitation, (Z)- 7 and 15 are formed in small amounts.     

Synthese und Chiralität von (5R, 6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ψ-carotin-5,6-diol, (5R, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ε-carotin-5,6-diol, (5S, 6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β, ψ-carotin und (5S, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ε-carotin

Synthesis and Chirality of (5R, 6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ψ-carotene-5,6-diol, (5R, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Dihydro-β, ε-carotene-5,6-diol, (5S, 6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ψ-carotene and (5S, 6R, 6′R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,ε-carotene Wittig-condensation of optically active azafrinal ( 1 ) with the phosphoranes 3 and 6 derived from all-(E)-ψ-ionol ( 2 ) and (+)-(R)-α-ionol ( 5 ) leads to the crystalline and optically active carotenoid diols 4 and 7 , respectively. The latter behave much more like carotene hydrocarbons despite the presence of two hydroxylfunctions. Conversion to the optically active epoxides 8 and 9 , respectively, is smoothly achieved by reaction with the sulfurane reagent of Martin [3]. These syntheses establish the absolute configurations of the title compounds since that of azafrin is known [2].     

Photochemical reactions. 132nd communication. Photochemistry of 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-7-methyl-β-ionine: Influence of a methyl group at the enone side chain on the oxirane cleavage

¹n, π*-Excitation of the γ,δ-epoxy-enone (E)- 3 leads exclusively to the conformers (Z)- 3A + B . On ¹π, π*-excitation of (E)- 3 , in addition to (Z)- 3A + B , products 6–9 arising from a carbene intermediate e are formed. However, products of an isomerization via C(γ), O-bond cleavage of the oxirane were not formed on either mode of excitation. On thermolysis, at 80° the conformer (Z)- 3A is transformed into (Z)- 3B , which on photolysis returns to (Z)- 3A and (E) -3 . At 160°, however, (Z) -3B rearranges to the isomers 6, 10 and 11 .     

Photochemische Reaktionen 94. Mitteilung. Vinyloge β-Spaltung bei Epoxy-enonen der Jonon-Reihe

Photoinduced Vinylogous β-Cleavage of Epoxy-enones of the Ionone Series The photochemistry of the α,β-unsaturated γ,δ-epoxy-enones 1–3 is determined by: (i) C(γ)-O-scission of the epoxide (vinylogous β-cleavage of Type A); (ii) C(γ)-C(δ)-cleavage of the oxirane (vinylogous β-cleavage of Type B); (iii) (E/Z)-isomerization of the enone chromophore. In contrast, 4 with tertiary C(β) shows no Type B cleavage. Type A cleavage is induced both by n,π*- and π,π*-excitation and arises probably from the T₁-state, but Type B cleavage is observed only on π,π*-excitation and represents presumably a S₂-reaction. On Type A cleavage 1–4 undergo 1,2-alkyl-shifts to 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds ( 15–18, 25–28, 34 and 35 ) or rearrange to dihydrofuranes ( 7 and 30 ). The isomerization 1→7 proceeds by a stereoselective [1,3]-sigmatropic shift. On Type B cleavage 1–3 isomerize to a bicyclic enol-ether ( 8, 29 ) or to a monocyclic enol-ether ( 9 ; product of a homosigmatropic [1,5]-shift) or undergo fragmentation to isomers such as allenes 10, 22 and 31 or cyclopropenes 11 and 21 . The non-isolated, unstable (Z)-epoxy-enones 14, 19, 24 and 38 isomerize by fragmentation to the furanes 12, 23, 33 and 39 respectively, on contact with traces of acid or by heating. However, for 19 and 4 , Type B cleavage may lead to the furanes 23 and 39 . On UV. irradiation of the epoxy-enone 4 the initially formed (E/Z)-isomers 34 and 35 yield on π,π*-excitation the enones 37 and 40 by a vinylogous β-fragmentation. In addition, on n,π*-excitation 34 isomerizes to 35 , which decarbonylates exclusively to the enone 37 . The reactions of 1–4 with BF₃ · O(C₂H₅)₂ were also studied (see appendix). The epoxy-enones 1 and 2 isomerize by an 1,2-alkyl shift in good yield to the 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds 79 and 81 , whereas 3 gives the 1,4-diketone 83 , and in small amounts the 1,5-diketone 84 . On the other hand, 4 is converted to the fluorohydroxy-enone 85 and to the 1,5-dicarbonyl product 34 , the only isomer in this series which is identical with one of the photoproducts.