Expected and unexpected photochemical reactions of acyl iodides

Abstract

Photolysis of acyl iodides RCOI (R = Me, Me2CH, Ph) under UV irradiation in toluene environment for 20–55 h proved to be a simple and efficient method of preparation of symmetrical α-diketones RCOCOR. In contrast, the photolysis under the same conditions of acyl iodides RCOI [R = Me(CH2)3, Me3C] did not lead to the formation of the corresponding diacyls, and the reaction products were unexpected 1,1-bis(4-methylphenyl)pentane and a mixture of isomeric 3- and 4-methyl(tert-butyl)benzenes respectively. The most probable mechanism of their formation is the primary photochemical acylation of toluene in the aromatic ring followed by the photochemical reduction of the arising butyl 4-methylphenyl ketone in the case of the valeroyl iodide or the photochemical Norrish type I cleavage of isomeric 3- and 4-methylphenyl (tert-butyl) ketones in event of the pivaloyl iodide. In the photolysis of acetyl iodide (R = Me) in benzene or toluene alongside the diacetyl formation polyarylation process was observed of acylated and iodinated into the aromatic ring solvents with the formation of polymeric products with semiconductor and paramagnetic properties.