Abstract
The photocycloaddition reaction of khellin with several olefins has been investigated. The photocycloadducts are formed regioselectively on furanyl 4',5'-double bond of khellin probably due to the localization of excitation energy on the furanyl 4',5'-double bond in the reactive excited state. The photocycloaddition reaction proceeds through the excited triplet state and the same product was formed when khellin is irradiated with dimethylfumarate or dimethylmaleate indicating the formation of common intermediate. The quantum yields of photocycloadduct formation, fluorescence, and intersystem crossing are very sensitive to proton-donating ability of solvents.