Photochemistry of Azole N-Oxides. II. Photoisomerization of Tetraaryl-1H-imidazole 3-Oxides

Abstract

Tetraaryl-lH-imidazole 3-oxides (1) can be photochemically isomerized to unsymmetrical (Z,Z)-benzil diimine derivatives (5), in yields which are of preparative value. Evidence which, for the first time, suggests that fused oxaziridines (2) are likely intermediates in the photochemistry of this class of aromatic azole N-oxides is also presented.