Regio- and Stereoselectivity of the Norrish-Yang Photocyclization of Dialkyl 1,2-Diketones: Solution versus Solid State Photochemistry of Two Polymorphs.

As shown by X-ray crystallography, crystals of 3β-acetoxy-16,17-seco-17,20-dioxopregn-5-ene-16-nitrile are dimorphic. The regioselectivity of the Norrish-Yang type II photocyclization under visible light of this steroidal 1,2-diketone, which bears primary, secondary, and tertiary nonequivalent abstractable γ-hydrogens, dramatically increases in the crystalline state of both polymorphs. X-ray crystallography and molecular mechanics calculations reveal crystal structure-solid state photochemistry relationships.