Lewis-acid-catalyzed photodimerization of coumarins and N-methyl-2-quinolone.

The BF(3)-catalyzed photodimerization of parent coumarin (1), three 6-alkylcoumarins (2-4) and N-methyl-2-quinolone (5) in dichloromethane was studied by time-resolved UV-vis spectroscopy. The lowest triplet state properties in the absence and presence of BF(3) were outlined, in particular the effect of self-quenching which initiates dimerization. The quantum yield of intersystem crossing (Phi(isc)) of 1-4 increases with BF(3) concentration, approaching Phi(isc) = 0.3. Phi(isc) and the relative quantum yield of dimerization go along, thereby favoring an overall triplet mechanism in both the direct and BF(3)-catalyzed photodimerization. The product ratio of 5 changes strongly with the BF(3) concentration from 100%anti-hh for the free quinolone to 100%syn-ht for the 1:1 complex.