Radical oxidation of riboflavin.

ABSTRACT

Riboflavin, lumiflavin and lumichrome were produced by light catalysis and gamma irradiation. Their formation under various conditions was determined, and a number of intermediates identified. Fluorescence excitation and emission spectra were determined for the compounds and compared with the absorbency spectra. While lumiflavin predominated in alkali and lumichrome in neutral solutions in the light-catalyzed reaction, all products were produced to some extent under all conditions. Gamma radiation resulted only in the formation of lumichrome, with no observable intermediates.