THERMAL AND PHOTOLYTIC DECOMPOSITION OF DIARYLMETHYLENETRIPHENYLPHOSPHAZINES AND DIARYLDIAZOMETHANES

Variously substituted diarylmethylenetriphenylphosphazines and diaryldiazomethanes have been subjected to thermal and photolytic decomposition conditions. The products obtained indicate the major pathway for fragmentation under both thermal and photolytic conditions to be one which serves to generate carbene, nitrogen and, in the case of the phosphazines, triphenylphosphine. The carbene produced from either diarylmethylenetriphenylphosphazine or diaryLdiazomethane undergoes reactions which appear to be dependent upon the medium in which it is generated and its inherent stability. © 1969.