title: Radiation-induced conversion of 5,6-dihydropyrimidines to the corresponding pyrimidines in N2O-saturated aqueous solutions.
abstract: The effect of transition metal salts on the radiation-induced conversion of 5,6-dihydropyrimidines to the corresponding parent pyrimidines was studied in N2O-saturated aqueous solution at pH 7.0. The yield of the pyrimidines increased in sigmoidal forms with the increased one-electron reduction potential of the transition metal salts. The radiolysis of 5,6-dihydroorotic acid suggested that the 6-yl radical of the acid undergoes oxidation by transition metal salts to give orotic acid, whereas the corresponding 5-yl radical readily liberates CO2 to give uracil radical anion.
mesh_terms: D005720:Gamma Rays; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D011743:Pyrimidines; D009609:Nitrous Oxide