Peroxidic intermediates in the photosensitized oxidation of 2-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole
Abstract
Photosensitized oxygenation of 2-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole (1) at –15°C gives 2-hydroperoxy-2-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-2H-imidazole (2) which isomerizes into 4-hydroperoxy-2-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-4H-imidazole (4), probably via the endo-peroxide (7); compound (2) and its deoxygenation product (3) are the first 2-hydroperoxy- and 2-hydroxy-2H-imidazole to be reported.