SYNTHESIS OF A 5-DEAZA-10-SELENAFLAVIN DERIVATIVE, A NEW TYPE OF 5-DEAZAFLAVIN REDOX COENZYME MODEL

A new class of 5-deazaflavin derivatives, 3-methyl-5-deaza-10-selenaflavin (1), in which the nitrogen at the N(10) position of the 5-deazaflavin is replaced by a selenium atom, was synthesized via two different routes. Spectroscopic properties of the 5-deaza-10-selenaflavin are also discussed comparing with those of the known related 5-deazaflavin coenzyme models such as the parent 5-deazaflavin, 5-deaza-10-oxaflavin, and 5-deaza-10-thiaflavin derivatives.