Photoreactivity of Michler's ketone in solution

Abstract

The photochemical reactivity of Michler's ketone has been investigated in cyclohexane, ethanol and benzene. In cyclohexane an efficient photoreduction (quantum yield 0.36) takes place at low concentration, while at higher ketone concentration a bimolecular reaction occurs. Quenching experiments indicate that both reactions originate exclusively from the lowest triplet level. Rate constants for the various processes are calculated and a complete mechanistic scheme is proposed.