Photooxidation of acridine(1,8)dione dyes: flash photolysis investigation of the mechanistic details

Photolysis of the acridinedione dyes leads to the formation of different products depending on the substitutents. The cationic radical and the solvated electron are the primary photoproducts. Flash photolysis studies show that the solvated electron subsequently reacts with the ground state molecule to give the anion radical. The enolic form of the cation radical is also observed as an intermediate. The anionic radical and enolic form of the cation radical absorb at around 480 and 550 nm respectively. Subsequently these radicals result in ketyl and carbon-centered radicals respectively. The carbon-centered radical absorbs at 650 nm.