| Abstract: | The effect of substituents (X ? H, Me, or F at C(6), R ? H or Me at C(2′) of the allyl side chain) on the photoisomerization (λ = 350 nm) of 6-allylcyclohex-2-enones 1 in MeCN is studied. Substituents X control the overall efficiency of intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloadduct formation (Φ: Me > F > H) but do not exercise an influence on the orientation of addition of the exocyclic double bond to the enone C?C bond. In contrast, replacement of the prop-2-enyl (R ? H) by a 2-methylprop-2-enyl (R ? Me) side chain causes a change in the tricyclo[3.3.1.02,7]nonan-6-one 4 vs. tricyclo[4.2,1.03,8]nonan-7-one ( 5 ) product ratio from 100:0 (R ? H) to roughly 2:1 (R ? Me) but has almost no bearing on the relative rates of conversion of 1 to products. For C(6)-unsubstituted enones 1aa and 1ba (X ? H), the efficiency of cyclization becomes low enough so that lumiketone rearrangement to bicyclohexanones 6 and 3-isopropylcyclopent-2-enones 9 becomes competitive. Enones 9 undergo consecutive intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition to tricyclo[3.2.1.03,6]octan-2-ones 7 and to tricyclo[3.2.1.03,6]octan-7-ones 8 , compounds 8 only being formed when R ? Me. |
