THERMAL AND PHOTOLYTIC DECOMPOSITION OF ALKOXY-LEAD(4)-ACETATES DERIVED FROM SATURATED ALIPHATIC ALCOHOLS

Intramolecular formation of tetrahydrofuran-type ethers from saturated aliphatic alcohols and lead tetraacetate can be readily achieved at room temperature by UV irradiation of the reaction mixture in benzene. The yields of cyclic ethers and β-fragmentation products (when formed) are comparable to or even somewhat higher (under suitable conditions) than those observed in the thermal reaction, whereas the formation of carbonyl compounds (corresponding to the starting alcohols) is nearly completely suppressed. © 1969.