PHOTOCYCLIZATION OF A-(O-ETHYLPHENYL)ACETOPHENONE IN ZEOLITES

The diastereoselectivity in the photocyclization of α-(o-ethylphenyl)acetophenone(1) to 1-methyl-2-phenyl-2-indanol was studied in zeolites X and Y, and compared with that in isotropic solvents. The yields of E-diastereomer at the irradiation of 1 in protic solvents were higher than those in aprotic solvents. The ratios of E-diastereomer to Z-diastereomer in zeolites X and Y were much higher than those in isotropic solvents. The E/Z ratios at the irradiation of 1 in zeolites X were also found to be dependent on the cations present. As the cation size increased from Li+ to Cs+, the ratio decreased. However, any pattern in the E/Z ratios was not found in zeolites Y. The diastereoselectivity observed in the zeolites was interpreted by the conformational restriction imposed by the cavity size. An efficient oxidation of 1 in zeolites RbX and CsX was also observed.