DESCRIPTIVE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF POLYFLUORINATED AZIDE DERIVATIVES OF METHYL BENZOATE

The photochemistry of several polyfluorinated azide derivatizes of methyl benzoate have been studied in a variety of solvents. We have photolyzed methyl 3-azido-6-fluorobenzoate, methyl 3-azido-4-fluorobenzoate, methyl 4-azido-2-fluorobenzoate, methyl 3-azido-2,4-difluorobenzoate, methyl 3-azido-2,6-difluorobenzoate, methyl 3-azido-2,4,6-trifluorobenzoate, and methyl 4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoate in toluene, cyclopentane, tetra-methylethylene, diethylamine, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and methanol in an attempt to capture the photogenerated reactive intermediates. Adducts were not formed in cyclopentane, dimethyl disulfide, and methanol solvents. Adducts were formed, however, but in modest yields, in the other solvents. In general the yield of adducts increases with the number of fluorine substituents present, and ortho and para fluorine substituents relative to the azide group are more effective in enhancing the yield of adducts relative to meta fluorine substitution. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.