N2-extrusion from Cyclic Azo Compounds

Photolysis of an azo compound provided the first synthesis of prismane, albeit in very low yield (2.36)259). 

Other examples of strained polycyclic hydrocarbons formed by photolysis of an azo precursor are spiro[2,2]pentane 262) (2.39), housane 263) (2.40) and exotricyclo[3.2.1. O Joctene (2.41) 264). 

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