On irradiation of 4-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3-(N 3-benzoylthymin-1-yl) but-1-e ne 1 at 254 nm in THF a single photoadduct 2 is formed as a result of chemo-, regio-and stereo-selective intramolecular ortho photocycloaddition of the thymine double bond to the 1, 2-positions of