Dye-sensitized photo-oxygenation of tryptophan to give N′-formylkynurenine
Abstract
Exclusive conversion of the tricyclic hydroperoxide (1) into N′-formylkynurenine (2) has been found to occur in Na2CO3–AcOH (pH 7) and the methylene blue-sensitized photo-oxygenation of tryptophan in the same system has given N′-formylkynurenine as the sole product, in contrast with the reaction in water, which gave compound (1).