| Abstract: | The reaction mechanism of photoisomerization of isoxazoles to oxazoles through azirine intermediates is investigated theoretically by means of ab initio MO CI calculations. Azirine intermediates in S1 state [(n →*) state of the carbonyl chromophore] cause the C? N bond rupture of azirine ring and transform to isoxazoles via intersystem crossing to T1 state. On the other hand, azirine intermediates in S2 state [(n →*) state of the ketimine chromophore] lead to the C? C bond rupture of azirine ring and convert to oxazoles via intersystem crossing to T1 state. |
