The photochemical approach to the functionalization of open-chain and cyclic alkanes: 2. Hydrogen abstraction

Chloranil (Chl) has been irradiated in the presence of the alkanes 2,3-dimethylbutane, cyclohexane, norbornane, adamantane in acetonitrile. The primary step is hydrogen abstraction by triplet Chl, as confirmed by the detection of the ChlH radical. Hydrogen abstraction from the alkanes is unselective.