Photochemistry of anthracene in water

Photolysis of anthracene (350 nm) in aerated water yields endoperoxide and 9,10-anthraquinone as the major primary photoproducts. Photolysis of anthracene in oxygen-deficient aqueous solutions yields the three isomers of 10,10′-dihydroxy-9,9′,10,10′-tetrahydro-9,9′-bianthryl as the primary photoproduct. Involvement of a cation radical mechanism is suggested.