Excited Triplet State of N-(9-Methylpurin-6-yl)pyridinium Cation as an Efficient Photosensitizer in the Oxidation of Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids. Laser Flash and Steady-State Photolysis Studies

In this paper, we present and discuss the results of a detailed mechanistic study of the photosensitized oxidation of sulfur-containing amino acids by N-(9-methylpurin-6-yl)pyridinium cations in aqueous solution. The results provide data on the photoreactivity of the pyridinium salts (derived from the purine bases) in the presence of the electron donors such as sulfur-containing organic compounds and give new experimental evidence for the general mechanism of the sensitized photooxidation of thioethers proposed previously. 39 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.