Abstract
The cyclobutane forming photocycloaddition reaction of 5(E)-styryl-1,3-dimethyluracil with some olefins occurs on the 5,6-double bond of uracil ring rather than the expected central double bond via an intermediate, probably the photochemical Diels-Alder type adduct. This intermediate formed on short term irradiation of 5(E)-styryl-1,3-dimethyluracil and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene solution is converted into the $C_4$-cycloadduct on the prolonged irradiation. Quantum yield of the intermediate formation is not linear with the concentration of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene probably due to the secondary reaction accompanied with the complex reaction kinetics. The intermediate is formed from the lowest excited singlet state.