Abstract

Laser irradiation of R(–) carvone in solution in acrylonitrile within the absorption band of its n−π* transition (≃350 nm) leads to the formation of cyclobutanic adducts, together with traces of camphocarvone.The carvone transformation is complete and appears with high quantum efficiency. The quantum yield for intermolecular reaction is intensity dependent (13–30%). This is ascribed to the fact that the reaction takes place via both a one and a two-photon absorption channel, the second being even more efficient.