Transient intermediates in the photolysis of iodonium cations

Abstract

Pulsed picosecond laser photolysis of the diphenyliodonium cation indicates that excitation of the allowed transition is followed by rapid (ps) deactivation to a homolytically dissociative state, presumably T1. Steady-state photolysis yields iodobenzene and biphenyl from the primary radical products. Iodobiphenyl is also observed. We infer in-cage recombination of these radical products, with intervention of a carbocationic intermediate. Laser flash photolysis of diphenyliodonium iodide in its charge transfer band yields an initial transient with a lifetime of ca. 200 ps. A strongly absorbing secondary transient is observed on the nanosecond time scale. Iodobenzene is the exclusive reaction product. We infer that it is not formed directly from the primary photoproduct, but through in-cage recombination of phenyl cation with iodide anion, as in benzenediazonium iodide.