Photochemistry of Triphenylmethylcyclopentadiene

Abstract

<p>The products and mechanism of the photolytic rearrangement of the equilibrium mixture of triphenylmethylcyclopentadienes have been studied. Direct irradiation of the equilibrium mixture of triphenylmethylcyclopentadienes yields 5,6,6-triphenylibicyclo{3.1.0} hex-2-ene. Photolysis with a triplet sensitizer yields dimeric products in addition to 5,6,6-triphenylbicyclo{3.1.0}hex-2-ene. Thermolytic isomerization of 5,6,6-triphenylbicyclo{3.1.0}hex-2-ene is reported. The predominant isomer in the equilibrium mixture of triphenylmethylcyclopentadiene has been established as 2-triphenylmethylcyclopentadiene.</p>