Photochemistry of Diazocompounds and Azides in Argon

The introduction of matrix techniques to the synthesis and study of reactive organic molecules has substantially extended the range of molecules available for investigation (Ref. 1). It is now increasingly the case that we need new chemical methods to make progress in this area of investigation. Diazocompounds and azides have proved especially useful as starting points for a new style of photochemical synthesis operating within the severe limits imposed by the rare gas matrix environment. We have now made significant progress in developing rationally designed syntheses in the matrix environment and in so doing we have encountered a number of amusing and sometimes important mechanistic observations that have implications for the room temperature environment. It is the purpose of this communication to present some of our syntheses and the related mechanism studies.