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Published on: December 16, 2022
Trans-cis isomerization of vinylketones through triplet 1,2-biradicals
R A A Upul Ranaweera1, Tianeka Scott, Qian Li
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, United States.
Abstract:
The irradiation of trans-vinylketones 1a-c yields the corresponding cis isomers 2a-c. Laser flash photolysis of 1a and 1b with 308 and 355 nm lasers results in their triplet ketones (T1K of 1), which rearrange to form triplet 1,2-biradicals 3a and 3b, respectively, whereas irradiation with a 266 nm laser produces their cis-isomers through singlet reactivity. Time-resolved IR spectroscopy of 1a with 266 nm irradiation confirmed that 2a is formed within the laser pulse. In comparison, laser flash photolysis of 1c with a 308 nm laser showed only the formation of 2c through singlet reactivity. At cryogenic temperatures, the irradiation of 1 also resulted in 2. DFT calculations were used to aid in the characterization of the excited states and biradicals involved in the cis-trans isomerization and to support the mechanism for the cis-trans isomerization on the triplet surface.
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