Isomerization processes in inclusion compounds: Xylenes in deoxycholic acid

The isomerization processes induced by UV photons in inclusion compounds of the host-guest type are examined, with special attention to the photophysics of the energy transfer process between the host and the guest, as well as to the influence of the host molecular cavity symmetry and the guest molecular symmetry. In particular, the experimental study has been carried out on the isomerization processes ofp-,m-, ando-xylene inside the molecular cavities of deoxycholic acid. The results have been compared with those obtained by irradiating the xylenes in an inert solution of hexane. The main difference is the elimination of by-products when the photochemical process is carried out in the solid state inclusion compound; however, the high purity of the isomerization product corresponds to a decrease in its yield with respect to the reaction in solution, due to the energy transfer process from the host to the guest moiety.