Photolysis and E. S. R. Studies on Triphenylphosphinecarbethoxymethylene

Abstract

Although several different groups have studied the photolysis of phosphorus ylides, none have utilized e. s. r. to support the postulated decomposition mechanisms. The fundamental question which awaits a definitive answer is which bond breaks first upon photolysis. Tschesche¹ and de Silva² utilizing the ylides (1) and (2) suggested that the carbon-phosphorus double bond was initially broken while Nagao³ using (3) proposed phenyl-phosphorus bond cleavage.

Key Words:

• E. S. R.
• photolysis
• phosphorus ylides