Thermal and photolytic decomposition reactions of diazo compounds in the bicyclo[4 •1•0]heptane series

Abstract

The photochemical and thermal decomposition reactions of 5-diazo-3-caren-2-one have been studied. Thermal decomposition led to the corresponding azine (93 %), while photochemical decomposition in aqueous dioxan led to the azine (7%) and to 3-carene-2,5-dione (9%). Photochemical decomposition in methanol led to a third product C20H24O4 (3%). Experiments on the photochemical decomposition of the isomeric 2-diazo-3-caren-5-one are also described.