Irradiation of 3-methyl-2-phenyl-2H-azirine (1) at 254 nm in argon matrices results in ylide 6. Similarly, laser flash photolysis (λ = 266 nm) of azirine 1 in acetonitrile yields ylide 6, which has a transient absorption with λmax at ~340 nm and a lifetime of 14 μs. Density functional theory calculations were preformed to support the characterisation of ylide 6 in solution and argon matrices. Irradiation of azirine 1 above 300 nm has previously been reported (J. Org. Chem. 2014, 79, 653) to yield triplet vinylnitrene in solution and ketenimine in cryogenic argon matrices. Thus, the photochemistry of azirine 1 is dependent on the irradiation wavelength.

The thermal reaction of ozone with trimethyl aluminum was explored using twin jet, concentric jet, and merged jet deposition into cryogenic matrixes. Infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations were employed to identify and characterize the products formed in each case. Together, these deposition techniques provide information over the essentially full course of the gas-phase reaction. At short times with twin jet deposition, the primary product is the O atom insertion product (CH)AlOCH. With merged jet deposition and longer gas-phase mixing times, the methyl peroxy radical HCOO· was seen in good yield along with final stable products HCO, HCOH, and CH. Production of AlO and its deposition onto the walls of the reaction tube as a powdery film was noted as well. All of these outcomes were combined to propose a reaction mechanism for this system. Of particular note, the observation of HCOO· provides clear evidence for a free radical component to the overall mechanism.

Laser flash photolysis of 2-methyl-1-phenylbut-3-en-1-one (1) conducted at irradiation wavelengths of 266 and 308 nm results in the formation of triplet 1,2-biradical 2 that has λmax at 370 and 480 nm. Biradical 2 is formed with a rate constant of 1.1 × 107 s–1 and decays with a rate constant of 2.3 × 105 s–1. Isoprene-quenching studies support the notion that biradical 2 is formed by energy transfer from the triplet-excited state of the ketone chromophore of 1. Density functional theory calculations were used to verify the characterization of triplet biradical 2 and validate the mechanism for its formation. Thus, it has been demonstrated that intramolecular sensitization of simple alkenes can be used to form triplet 1,2-biradicals with the two radical centres localized on the adjacent carbon atoms.

Broadband irradiation of 3,5‐diphenylisoxazole 1 in an argon matrix results in formation of azirine 3. Further irradiation of the matrix reduces the amount of azirine 3 with concurrent formation of ylide 4. Thus, it is theorized that the conversion of isoxazole 1 to azirine 3 goes through a triplet vinylnitrene 2 that does not intersystem cross to ketenimine 6. Hence, the reactivity of triplet vinylnitrene 2 is different from similar vinylnitrene intermediates with α‐methyl substituents that intersystem cross to form corresponding ketenimines. Density functional theory calculations support the notion that the conjugation of the α‐phenyl group to the vinylnitrene moiety in vinylnitrene 2 renders it more flexible than vinylnitrenes with α‐methyl substituents, and therefore, vinylnitrene 2 intersystem crosses to azirine 3, rather than ketenimine 6. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The thermal and photochemical reactions of (CH3)3Ga and O3 have been explored using a combination of matrix isolation, infrared spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Experimental data using twin jet deposition and theoretical calculations demonstrate the formation of multiple product species after deposition, annealing to 35 K, and UV irradiation of the matrices. The products were identified as (CH3)2GaOCH3, (CH3)2GaCH2OH, (CH3)(CH3O)Ga(OCH3), (CH3)2GaCHO, and (CH3)Ga(OCH3)(CH2OH). Product identifications were confirmed by annealing and irradiation behavior, (18)O substitution experiments, and high level theoretical calculations. Merged jet deposition led to a number of stable late reaction products, including C2H6, CH3OH, and H2CO. A white solid film was also noted on the walls of the merged (flow reactor) region of the deposition system, likely due to the formation of Ga2O3.