Sensitized photolysis of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II); general reaction pattern

Abstract

Bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) was sensitized by some ketones with a wide range of triplet energies to undergo photodecomposition to give the same products as that obtained in the direct photolysis but with much better efficiency. Other sensitizers such as fluorenone and aromatic hydrocarbons failed to sensitize the reaction. There exists no correlation of the sensitizer triplet energies with the sensitization results. This, and rapid quenching processes, indicated that the classical energy transfer process was unlikely. The sensitization process by an electron transfer within an encounter complex was proposed to explain the decomposition of Cu(acac)2; the calculated free energy changes (ΔG) associated with the electron transfer from the available data support the proposal. Chemical reactions of excited state anthracene and 1-cyanonaphthalene with Cu(acac)2 may also occur. Irradiation of Cu(acac)2 in the presence of triphenylphosphine and benzophenone led to an excellent yield of Cu(acac)(PPh3)2 without causing precipitation of copper(I) complexes.