Reaction of polymethine dyes with hydroperoxides and free radicals

The interaction kinetics of the cationic and anionic polymethine dyes with radicals has been studied. Azoinitiator AAPH, as well as tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and hydrogen peroxide were used as radical initiators in water and buffer solutions at 37 °C. It is shown that the dyes are active scavengers of peroxyl radicals. It is found that reactivity and behavior of dyes in relation to the peroxides are strongly dependent on the structure of lateral substituents in polymethine chains.