Photochemical isomerization of 1,2,5-trisilabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-diene to 1,4,7-trisilabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene

Upon irradiation of a benzene-d6 solution of 1,2,2,5-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-4,7-diaryl-1,2,5-trisilabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-diene [1a: aryl = phenyl, b: aryl = 3,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)phenyl], 1,4,7,7-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-2,5-diaryl-1,4,7-trisilabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (2a,b) was formed via skeletal rearrangement.