PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS OF AROMATIC $\alpha$-DIKETONES

Irradiation of aromatic $\alpha$-diketones, such as benzil, 4,4'-dimethylbenzil, 4-chlorobenzil, 4,4'-diisopropylbenzil, 3,3,'-dimethylbenzil, in methanol gives rise to xanthone derivatives, in addition to $\alpha$-hydroxyketones. Irradiation of 4,4'-dibromobenzil, 2,2'-pyridil, 2,2'-naphthil and 9,9'-anthril yields only $\alpha$-hydroxyketones, whereas 4,4'-dimethoxybenzil yields methyl 4-methoxybenzoate.