PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF REACTION INTERMEDIATES

The mechanisms and kinetics of the photochemistry of organic reaction intermediates have been examined using two-laser excitation techniques, and are illustrated using examples involving naphthalene chromophores. For example, excited 1-naphthylmethyl radicals are excellent electron donors, but not very good acceptors. They abstract halogens efficiently and interact with oxygen 5. 5 times faster than their ground state. Other examples include the triplet states of 1,3-dinaphthylpropanone, 1,2-dinaphthylethane and acenaphthene.