Photochemical Reactions of \alpha-Terpinene and Acenaphthene under Concentrated Sunlight

Authors: NESİBE AVCIBAŞI, SIDDIK İÇLİ, ANDREW GILBERT

Abstract: \alpha-Terpinene was successfully dehydrogenated to p-cymene in photocatalytic reaction with benzophenone and cupric ions under 40 suns concentrated sunlight irradiation, proving that photodehydrogenation reactions may be employed for the synthesis of fine chemicals under sunlight. Acenaphthene dehydrogenation under concentrated sunlight resulted in the minor formation of acenaphthylene and the quantitative formation of acenaphthenone when the solution was aerated. Stable benzylic-type radical intermediates are thought to lower the yield of dehydrogenation reactions.

Keywords: Photodehydrogenation, solar irradiation, hydrogen abstraction, benzophenone, \alpha-terpinene, acenaphthene

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