Photolysis of Some N‐Arylbenzamidoximes in Acetonitrile

Abstract The photolysis of five N‐arylbenzamidoxime derivatives I‐V in dry acetonitrile gives rise to anilides 8 and benzimidazoles 1 as the major products in addition to benzonitrile 4 , arylamines 5 , benzoic acid 6 , and 2‐phenyl benzoxazoles 7 . In the presence of naphthalene, I gave α ‐ and β‐naphthols 2 and 3 beside the previous products. The isolated products have been interpreted in the terms of a free radical mechanism involving the homolysis of N‐O and/or C‐N bonds. This photodegradation process can be considered as an alternative method for the synthesis of anilide, benzimidazole and benzoxazole derivatives in addition to other organic compounds.