The photochemical reaction of α-nitroepoxides showed marked solvent dependence. The photolysis of (1, 2-epoxy-2-nitropropyl) benzene (I) in 2-propanol led to the formation of three products 1-phenyl-1-isopropoxy-2-propanone (IIb), 1-phenyl-1, 2-propanedione oxime (III) and 1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-propanone oxime (IV), whereas on irradiation in ether I gave exclusively IV. However, in t-butyl alcohol, benzene, acetone, acetonitrile or n-hexane, I ...