An Unprecedented Photochemical Reaction for Anthracene-Containing Derivatives

A series of anthracene-containing derivatives have been synthesised and characterised. The photochemical behaviour of these derivatives have been investigated by ¹ H NMR spectroscopy. An unprecedented photolysis reaction for anthracene-containing derivatives was observed in the case of anthracenes directly armed with a -CH₂ O-R group upon UV irradiation. The photolysis reaction process has been demonstrated to occur in three steps. Firstly, the anthracene-containing derivatives are converted into the corresponding endoperoxide intermediate upon UV irradiation in the presence of air; then, the endoperoxide intermediate is decomposed to the corresponding starting compound and 9-anthraldehyde; finally, 9-anthraldehyde is further oxidised to anthraquinone. Additionally, the photolysis reaction of anthracene-containing derivatives is significantly promoted in the presence of a thiacalix[4]arene platform.