The photochemistry of 4-phenyl-1-iodobutane and 4-phenyl-2-iodomethyl-1-butene

Abstract

The photochemistry of 4-phenyl-1-iodobutane 3 and 4-phenyl-2-iodomethyl-1-butene 4 has been studied to investigate the effect of structure on the character of the intermediates generated on photolysis. The irradiation of the simple primary iodide 3 appears to yield only radical intermediates. By contrast the photolysis of the allylic iodide 4 yields products that are more consistent with cationic intermediates.