Photochemical cis-trans Isomerization of 2-Substituted 9-(2-Nitroethenyl)anthracenes. X-Ray Structure Analyses of (E)- and (Z)-9-(2-Nitro-2-phenylethenyl)anthracene

Abstract

(E)-9-(2-Nitropropeny1)anthracene and (E)-9-(2-nitro-2-phenylethenyl)anthracene have been prepared by piperidine-catalysed condensation of 9-anthraldehyde with nitroethane and nitro(phenyl)methane, respectively. The corresponding (Z)-compounds were obtained by photochemical isomerization, quantum yields of geometrical isomerlzation being measured in cyclohexane, benzene, dichloromethane and ethanol. In virtually all solvents the (Z)-isomers are favoured at the photostationary state. The structures of (E)- and (2)-942- nitro-2-phenylethenyl)anthracene have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.