Influence of cyclodextrins on the photo-Fries rearrangement of acetanilide
The effect of α-, β-, and -γ-cyclodextrins on the quantum yield for the formation of o- and p-aminoacetophenone from the photolysis of acetanilide at 254 nm was determined. There is an increase in the ratio of o/p products when cyclodextrins are added and the total quantum yield is about the same as in water in the presence of γ-CD, higher with β-CD, and lower with α-CD. The association constants between acetanilide and CD were determined and the values are 22.7 M−1 and 30.7 M−1 for α- and β-CD respectively. The quantum yields for the formation of o- and p-aminoacetophenone were measured. The rearrangement occurs in water and in the included acetanilide. The quantum yields for the formation of o-aminoacetophenone and p-aminoacetophenone from the included substrate could be calculated for α- and β-cyclodextrin. Comparing these values with those obtained in water, it is concluded that there is some steric inhibition for rearrangement at the para position when α-cyclodextrin is the host, whereas with β-cyclodextrin the less polar microsolvent effect is responsible for the increase in the total quantum yield relative to water.