NEW RADIOLYSIS MECHANISM FOR 2'-DEOXYADENOSINE IN AQUEOUS DEAERATED SOLUTION

The effect of ionizing radiation on 2'-deoxyadenosine in aqueous deaerated solution gives rise to various products, among them: 9-(2-deoxy-α-D-erythropentopyranosyl)adenine, 9-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentopyranosyl)adenine, 9-(2-deoxy-α-D-erythropentofuranesyl)adenine. The formation of these compounds may be explained by the opening of the C1'-O bond of the deoxyribose residue during the radiolysis which probably produces a Schiff's base-type intermediate and leads to rearrangement of the initial molecule into its four α- and β-pyranoic and furanoic forms.