Photochemical reaction of ethyl 3-oxo-2,4-diphenylbutanoate.

Irradiation of ethyl 3-oxo-2,4-diphenylbutanoate in hexane gave the products formed by recombination of the radicals (Ph–\dotCH2 and/or Ph–\dotCH–CO2Et) resulting from decarbonylation, together with small amounts of 1,2-diphenylethanol and ethyl α-hydroxyphenylacetate, whereas in benzene no 1,2-diphenylethanol was found. Under oxygen an increased amount of ethyl α-hydroxyphenylacetate and no radical recombination products were observed.