Substituent effects on the meta photocycloaddition of arenes to alkenes

Abstract
The meta photocycloaddition of cyano‐ and (trifluoromethyl)‐substituted anisoles to cyclopentene has been investigated and the product ratios are shown to be compatible with a polar mechanism. The photochemical and thermal interconversions of the major adducts from 3‐cyanoanisole and cyclopentene have also been investigated.