9,10-Dicyanoanthracene- and chloranil-sensitized electron-transfer photooxygenations of o-, m-, and p-xylene, p-methoxytoluene, and 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene gave the corresponding ArCHO and ArCOOH as the products. The addition of biphenyl as cosensitizer significantly enhanced the rate of photooxygenation. The effects of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, p-benzoquinone, and Mg(ClO4)2 on the photooxygenation reactions were examined The reaction mechanism was discussed according to fluorescence quenching studies and influences of the above additives on the oxygenation reactions.

Key words: CYANIDES, PHOTOOXIDATION, METHYLBENZENE, DIMETHYLBENZENE, DIMETHYL GROUP, NAPHTHALENE P, METHOXY GROUP, QUINONE, QUENCHING EFFECTS, FREE RADICAL REACTION, ANTHRACENE P, CHEMILUMINESSENCE