Numerous disparate explanations have been advanced for the observed quantum yield in the photoisomerization of o‐nitrobenzaldehyde. The authors decided to gather further data on this reaction, varying such factors as the weight of the molecule and the physical state of the material. The results indicate that the reaction occurs intramolecularly, but that for o‐nitrobenzaldehyde itself the quantum efficiency is nearly one‐half in all cases. A detailed consideration of the mechanism is deferred to the second portion of this paper.
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