Photochemical cyclisation of some iodophenyl- and iodothienyl-(thienyl)-ethylenes

Abstract

The photoconversion of some iodophenyl(thienyl)ethylenes and iodothienyl(thienyl)ethylenes to naphthothiophens and benzodithiophens respectively has been carried out. The results suggest that the intermediate in these cyclisations is likely to be a dihydro-derivative, which suffers dehydrogenation, rather than an aryl radical which effects an intramolecular substitution.