Abstract The photoreactions of biacetyl (1) with various electron-rich olefins have been investigated. Oxetanes and allyl alcohols are formed upon irradiation with λ= 400–480 nm (nπ* excitation of biacetyl) depending on the nature of the olefin. An unusual relationship between the rate constants of luminescence quenching of biacetyl by olefins (log kq) and the free enthalpies of electron transfer (ΔG 2) indicate formation of an exciplex first. A ...
