Photochemistry of cyclohexene oxide radical cations in freonic matrices at 77 K

By employing EPR and UV/VIS spectroscopy and quantum chemical techniques, we demonstrated that the radical cations of cyclohexene oxide were stabilized upon radiolysis in freonic matrices at 77K in their distorted form (with the C–C bond in the oxirane fragment elongated to 0.179nm). Upon the action of light in the absorption band of these radical cations (λ_max∼480–490nm), they undergo deprotonation, successively yielding 7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-3-yl and 7-oxabicyclo-[4.1.0]heptan-2-yl radicals.