THE VACUUM ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF NUCLEOTIDES

— Photodestruction of nucleotides by vacuum UV (λ < 200 nm) and near UV radiation in thin films has been studied; the products were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. Vacuum UV photolysis leads to the rupture of the N-glycosidic bond with liberation of bases, the quantum yield of the process being about 2 × 10-4 for guanosine-5'-monophosphate. No bases have been found among the products of near UV photolysis. Vacuum UV irradiation of aqueous solutions of adenosine-5'-monophosphate and guanosine-5'-monophosphate produces, along with bases, some other fluorescent substances. The identity of photoproducts of vacuum UV photolysis with those of γ-radiolysis is established. The mechanism of photochemical conversion is discussed.