Effects of substituents on the photochemical processes of several a-diazo amides (la-f) have been studied [RCN, CONR'R''(1): a, R= H, R'= R"= Et; b, R= H, R'= R"= Me; c, R= H, R'= Ph, R"= Me; d, R= H, R'= Ph, R"= Et; e, R= COCH3, R'= R"= Et; f, R= COCH3, R'= Ph, R"= Et]. Irradiation of lb in ethyl ether and acetone afforded, in addition to a 8-lactam, the reaction products with the solvents, Le., EtOCH2CONMe2 and 1, 3-dioxolane, respectively, ...