On-line electrospray mass analysis of photoallylation reactions of dicyanobenzenes by allylic silanes via photoinduced electron transfer

Photoinduced electron transfer reaction of 1,4-dicyanobenzene with allyltrimethylsilane in acetonitrile was analyzed by online electrospray mass spectrometry. A reductive allylation product of 1,4-dicyanobenzene was detected for the first time as a key intermediate in the photoinduced electron transfer reaction. The electrospray technique, combined with a flowing photoreaction cell, was shown to be a useful tool for detecting and identifying unstable intermediates or primary products in organic photochemical reactions. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.