The photoreactions of 1-and 2-naphthonitriles with tetramethylethylene have been studied in the solvents hexane, benzene, dimethoxyethane, methanol, and acetonitrile. In hexane, benzene, or dimethoxyethane, the exclusive products are the cyclobutanes 1-cyano-7, 7, 8, 8-tetramethyl-2, 3-benzobicyclo [4.2. 0] octa-2, 4-diene (from 1-naphthonitrile and tetramethylethylene), and 6-cyano-7, 7, 8, 8-tetramethyl-2, 3-benzobicyclo [4.2. 0] octa-2, 4 ...
