Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
Published on: April 22, 2016
Methoxy-substituted stilbenes, styrenes, and 1-arylpropenes: photophysical properties and photoadditions of alcohols
Jeffrey C Roberts1, James A Pincock
1Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J3.
Abstract:
The photochemistry of trans-stilbene and four methoxy-substituted stilbene derivatives has been investigated in a variety of solvents. The fluorescence of all five trans isomers was quenched by 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). Upon irradiation of the five substrates in TFE, the products derived from photoaddition of the solvent were detected. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the products formed by irradiation in TFE-OD indicated that the proton and nucleophile are attached to two adjacent atoms of the original alkene double bond. Irradiation of the corresponding methoxy-substituted styrenes and trans-1-arylpropenes in TFE produced the analogous solvent adducts. The photoaddition of TFE proceeded with the general order of reactivity: styrenes > trans-1-arylpropenes > trans-stilbenes. Transient carbocation intermediates were observed following laser flash photolysis of the stilbenes in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP). The results are consistent with a mechanism that involves photoprotonation of the substrates by TFE or HFIP, followed by nucleophilic trapping of short-lived carbocation intermediates. Compared to the other stilbene derivatives, trans-3,5-dimethoxystilbene displayed a large quantum yield of fluorescence and a low quantum yield of trans-cis isomerization in polar organic solvents. The unique photophysical properties of trans-3,5-dimethoxystilbene are attributed to formation of a highly polarized charge-transfer excited state (mu(e) = 13.2 D).
More Related Videos
08:56Synthesis of a Borylated Ibuprofen Derivative Through Suzuki Cross-Coupling and Alkene Boracarboxylation Reactions
Published on: November 30, 2022
09:54Chemoselective Preparation of 1-Iodoalkynes, 1,2-Diiodoalkenes, and 1,1,2-Triiodoalkenes Based on the Oxidative Iodination of Terminal Alkynes
Published on: September 12, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:12Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation
02:15Preparation of Alcohols via Addition Reactions
The acid-catalyzed addition of water to the double bond of alkenes is a large-scale industrial method used to synthesize low-molecular-weight alcohols. An acidic atmosphere is required to allow the hydrogen in the water molecule to act as an electrophile and attack the double bond in an alkene. The addition of a proton to the double bond creates a carbocation intermediate. The proton preferentially bonds to the less substituted end of the double bond to create a more stable carbocation...
01:25Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Overview
01:17Electrophilic 1,2- and 1,4-Addition of HX to 1,3-Butadiene
02:38Electrophilic Addition to Alkynes: Halogenation
Halogenation is another class of electrophilic addition reactions where a halogen molecule gets added across a π bond. In alkynes, the presence of two π bonds allows for the addition of two equivalents of halogens (bromine or chlorine). The addition of the first halogen molecule forms a trans-dihaloalkene as the major product and the cis isomer as the minor product. Subsequent addition of the second equivalent yields the tetrahalide.
02:35Ethers from Alkenes: Alcohol Addition and Alkoxymercuration-Demercuration
Ethers can also be prepared from alkenes through acid-catalyzed addition of alcohols and alkoxymercuration–demercuration.
Preparation of Ethers by Acid-Catalyzed Addition of Alcohol to Alkenes
The acid-catalyzed addition of alcohol to an alkene involves treating the alkene with an excess of alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form an ether under suitable conditions. The hydrogen will add to the less substituted carbon so that the nucleophile can attack the more substituted...