Molecules were prepared with substituted nitrobenzyl groups covalently bonded to N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)acetamide (2) by ether or carbonate linkages. These compounds decomposed underirradiation at 363 nm. Those with carbonate linkages decomposed at slower rates than those withether linkages. Molecules with dimethoxy-substituted benzyl groups decomposed more slowly thanmonomethoxy-substituted benzyl groups due to the electronic characteristics of the benzylic carbon.