Oxidation of 5-Hydroxy-6-methyluracil in Alkaline Aqueous Solutions

5-Hydroxy-6-methyluracil was found to be oxidized by molecular oxygen in an alkaline aqueous solution. The effect of temperature, concentration of alkali and oxygen on the reaction rate was revealed by UV spectroscopy and differential manometry. The reaction stoichiometry with respect to oxygen approaches 1 with an increase in the alkali concentration. Using methylated model compounds, it was shown that the consumption of 5-hydroxy-6-methyluracil in an aqueous alkaline medium is associated with the formation of the anionic form at the hydroxyl group.