Photoreaction of 4-(Bromomethyl)-7-(diethylamino)coumarin: Generation of a Radical and Cation Triplet Diradical during the C-Br Bond Cleavage.

7-Diethylamino-4-methyl coumarin (DEACM) derivatives are widely used as photolabile protecting groups. In this study, the photolysis of DEACM-Br with Br as the leaving group was investigated. The main reaction path was found to be the generation of radical D via homolytic C-Br bond cleavage. Interestingly, products derived from C-T , the triplet state of the carbocation intermediate (i.e., 7-(diethylamino)-4-methyl cation ( C )), were identified, thereby confirming the existence of C-T for the first time.