Specifically (π → π*)-Induced Cyclohexenone Reactions 6-Benzylbicyclo [4.4.0]dec-1-en-3-ones

6-Benzylbicyclo [4.4.0]dec-1-en-3-one ( 9 ) and the 2-methyl homologue ( 10 ) underwent a (γ → α )-1, 3-benzyl shift to the β,γ-unsaturated ketones 21 and 22 , respectively, when excited in the π π* absorption band. The quantum yield was ca. 0.1 at 254 nm for the formation of both products in alkane solvents. These reactions occur specifically from the S₂(π, π*) state in competition with its decay to the S₁(n, π*) and T states. The triplet reaction of 9 , initiated by n → π* irradiation and by sensitization, was a double-bond shift to 20 , whereas no identifiable product was observed from 10 under these conditions. Direct and acetone-sensitized irradiations of 21 and 22 resulted in oxadi-π-methane rearrangements to mixtures of syn- and anti- 30 and syn- and anti- 31 , respectively.     

Photochemische Umwandlungen, 45. Mitteilung [1] die 3σ → 3π-route zu oxepin-derivaten

Exemplifying with the 4.5-dicarbomethoxy oxepin 6a the authors describe an oxepin synthesis from furanes and acetylenic dienophiles via Diels-Alder reaction ( 4a ), photochemical oxanorbornadiene-oxaquadricyclane transformation ( 4a → 5a ), and thermal 3σ → 3π opening of the highly strained oxaquadricyclane 5a . With dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate, methylpropiolate, maleic anhydride, and di-methoxycarbonyl-oxanorbornadiene ( 4a ) 5a yields the 1:1 adducts 19a, 19b, 22, 23 and 26 (unstable) by strictly stereospecific addition to the α-positions of the oxygen bridge. With the same dienophiles the oxepin 6a reacts only through its valence-tautomeric benzene-oxide form 7a giving stereospecifically 27, 29, 30 and 31 . No definite conclusions are drawn with regard to the mechanistic implications of the photostep 4a → 5a , the thermal 3σ → 3π-transformation 5a → 6a/7a , and the bishomofurane cycloaddition reactions. Scope and limitations of this oxepin synthesis are briefly discussed.     

Nachweis von π → σ-Umlagerungen bei Ligandenverdrängungsreaktionen von π-Allyl-π-cyclopentadienyl-Palladiumkomplexen

It has been proved by NMR. measurements at low temperatures that the ligand displacement reactions of (π-all)Pd(π-C₅H₅) and Lewis bases L yielding PdL₄ proceed by a π → σ rearrangement of the allylic group as the primary step. The organic reaction product is the 1-isomer of the corresponding allylcyclopentadiene but in the reactions of (π-1,1,2-Me₃C₃H₂)Pd(π-C₅H₅) with L besides the isomeric allylcyclopentadienes also 2,3-dimethylbutadiene and cyclopentadiene are formed. The reaction mechanism will be discussed.     

Photochemische Umwandlungen, 41 [1] 3ω → 3 π-Isomerisierungen von Monohetero-trishomobenzol-derivaten. Vorläufige mitteilung

The all-cis-oxa- and azatrishomobenzene diesters 4a and 4b resp. undergo thermally a very clean 3ω → 3π isomerization reaction yielding the heterocyclonona-2, 5, 8-triene derivatives 6a and 6b resp. (E_a = 27.4 and 26.5 kcal/mole). In contrast, the cis, cis, trans-oxatrishomobenzene diester 9 is stable up to 170°. Some applications and limitations of this 3ω → 3π-route to iso- and heterocyclononatriene derivatives are discussed.     

The effect of a positive charge on a π → π-transition

The position of the maximum for the π → π^*-transition of a bicyclic ketone containing a quaternary nitrogen atom at 3·1 Å from an :β-unsaturated ketone system is shown to depend largely upon electrostatic (repulsion) destabilization in both ground and excited states, the latter being affected more strongly.     

A CASSCF study on the lowest π→π* excitation of urocanic acid

The photochemical cis/trans isomerization of urocanic acid (UCA, (E)‐3‐(1′H‐imidazol‐4′‐yl)propenoic acid) was investigated using complete active space SCF (CASSCF) ab initio calculations. The singlet ground state and the triplet and the singlet manifolds of the lowest‐lying π→π* (HOMO→LUMO) excitation of the neutral and the anionic UCA were calculated using the 6‐31G* and the 6‐31+G* basis sets, respectively. The torsional barrier of the double bond of the propenoic acid moiety in UCA is observed to be considerably lower in the T₁ and S₁ excited states of the neutral UCA and in the T₁ but not in the S₁ excited state of the anionic UCA, as compared to the S₀ state of the respective protonation form. The cis‐isomer of both the neutral and the anionic UCA is lower in energy than the trans‐isomer in the S₀, T₁, and S₁ states. This energy difference is larger in the excited states than in the ground state, probably due to strengthening of the intramolecular hydrogen bond of cis‐UCA as the molecule is excited. The results of the calculations, interpreted in terms of the idea that UCA is deprotonated upon electronic excitation, led to construction of a new model for the photoisomerization mechanisms of UCA. According to this model, the trans‐to‐cis isomerization proceeds via both the triplet and the singlet manifolds in the deprotonated form of UCA. This isomerization may occur in the S₀ state of the neutral UCA as well. The cis‐to‐trans isomerization is suggested to proceed only in the S₀ state of the neutral UCA. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 25–37, 1999     

Local orbitals for the study of the π→π* excitation in polyenes

Localized orbitals have recently been employed in large ab initio calculations, but their use has generally been restricted to ground‐state problems. In this work, we analyze the molecular orbitals of the excited states, optimized with a recently proposed local procedure. This method produces local orbitals of the CAS–SCF type, which permits its application to the study of excited states. In particular, we focus on the π→π* triplet excited state in polyenes, calculated using a 2/2 CAS space which includes two electrons in one π and one π* orbitals. In small polyenes, these two singly occupied active orbitals are delocalized all along the molecule. The extent of the delocalization is analyzed by studying polyenes of increasing size. Different polyenes have been studied, going from C₁₄H₁₆ to the C₇₀H₇₂ polyene. The relation of the π→π* excitation with the cation and anion systems is also discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005