Photosensitization of hypomycin B--a novel perylenequinonoid pigment with only one intramolecular hydrogen bond.

ABSTRACT

Electron spin resonance technique and spin-trapping methods were used to determine the photoproduction of 1O2 and O2.- by hypomycin B (HMB), a novel perylenequinonoid pigment (PQP) possessing only one hydroxyl group. It was found that the yields of 1O2 and O2.- for HMB were comparable to those for hypocrellin A, a typical natural PQP with good photosensitivity. In addition, the absorption and fluorescence spectra for HMB were investigated. The pKa values in the ground and excited states of HMB were determined to be 8.94 and 5.54, respectively. Thus, the photodynamic mechanisms of HMB may involve not only the photogeneration of 1O2 and O2.- but also the light-induced acidification. Consequently, HMB is proposed to be a good photodynamic therapeutic agent.