The phototransformations of several 4-benzopyranol systems incorporating the 1, 2- dibenzoylalkene moiety have been studied by steady-state photolysis, product analysis, and nanosecond laser flash photolysis. Under direct photolysis, prototropic reactions leading to 2- pyranols and/or their methoxy analogues are shown to dominate, presumably through the intermediacy of carbocations produced as a result of photcdehydroxylation. No products, ...
