Ethane formation from methyl compounds

In another work, Wentrup (this time in collaboration with the Tarczay s group, from Budapest), explored the photochemistiy of dimethylcarba-moyl azide in argon matrices. Broadband irradiation of the compound, using both xenon and mercuiy lamps, was found to lead to the sequential formation of dimethylamino isocyanate (MeaN-NCO), 1,1-dimethyldia-zene (Me2N=N), and ethane, via consecutive N2, CO and N2 elimination reactions (Fig. 35). Ethane formation was ascribed to recombination of methyl radicals. The obtained photoproducts were identified with the aid of quantum chemical calculations. This was the first experimental... 

To our knowledge, no such effective optical resolution by inclusion formation with an optically active channel-type host compound has been reported so far. 1,2-Bis(2-methyl-1-naphthyl)-l,2-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)ethane (80) yields a 1 1 crystal inclusion with (+)-a-pinene, but successive recrystallization of 80 from (-i-)-a-pinene gives only a partial optical resolution... 

---