Abstract Irradiation of 1-alkyl-substituted 1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes (10, 11, 12) with a lowpressure mercury lamp yields by ring opening ω-vinyl-o-quinodimethanes, which undergo [1, 7] H-shifts to give 1, 2-divinyl-benzenes (8, 18, 23; cf. schemes 2, 3 and 4). In a further photoreaction of the divinylbenzenes, benzobicyclo [3.1. 0] hex-2-enes (17, 19, 22) are formed. 2-Alkyl-substituted 1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes (13, 14, 15, 16) are transformed ...