Abstract
Irradiation of 2-azido-3-phenyl-propene (5) in pentane or benzene solution with a high pressure lamp (Pyrex filter) yields 3-benzyl-2H-azirin (6), which on further irradiation behind quartz or vycor in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid methyl ester or carbon dioxide yields 4-benzyl-5-methoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-3-oxazoline (8) and 4-benzyl-3-oxazolin-5-one (9), respectively (scheme 2). A small amount of 3-phenylacetonitrile is also formed.