High Efficiency Photolabeling of Human Serum Albumin and Human .gamma.-Globulin with [14C]Methyl 4-Azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoate

The efficiency of photolabeling of HSA and IgG with [14C]methyl 4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoate has been studied using size exclusion chromatography in conjunction with liquid scintillation counting. Labeling efficiencies of 78% for HSA and 82% for IgG have been determined. The extent of bond insertion into proteins exceeds the C-H insertion efficiency in cyclohexane with less wastage into anilinium and azo side products. These results suggest that the photoprobe accesses hydrophobic regions of both proteins prior to photolysis.