Photoinduced molecular rearrangements. Some comments on the ring‐photoisomerization of 1,2,4‐oxadiazoles into 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles

The ring-photoisomerization of 3-amino- and 3-methylamino-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles into the corresponding 2-amino- and 2-methylamino-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles has been reinvestigated by examining the effect of a base on the photoreaction. On irradiating at λ = 254 nm in methanol, yields of the ring-photoisomers were found to be significantly enhanced by the addition of triethylamine (TEA) in the photoreaction medium. By contrast, irradiation of the 3-amino-5-phenyloxadiazole in acetonitrile containing TEA gave an almost complete photoreduction into benzoylguanidine, while few percent of the ring photoisomer were detected. Furthermore, the pyrene-sensitized photolysis of 3-amino-5-phenyloxadiazole in acetonitrile containing triethylamine also gave benzoylguanidine but no traces of the ring photoisomer.