The mechanism of photolysis of benzyl halides and benzyl acetate in alcohols

Abstract

The photolysis of benzyl chloride, bromide, iodide, and acetate, and 3,5-dimethoxybenzyl bromide and acetate in methanol and t-butyl alcohol have been examined, and also 3,5-dimethoxybenzyl chloride in ethanol. Solvolysis products and products derived by non-ionic mechanisms are obtained by either direct photolysis at 254 nm or acetone-sensitised photolysis at 300 nm. The mechanisms of the reactions are discussed.