Abstract:
The radiolysis of homocysteinethiolactone hydrochloride (HCTL) at natural pH has been studied using pulse radiolysis, and steady-state product analysis with both unlabelled and 35S labelled HCTL.
From measuring G(-HCTL), G(NH3),G(H2O2) and other products produced on radiolysis, and from the effect of the scavengers nitrous oxide and methanol on these values, a reaction mechanism in oxygen-free solution has been determined. The suggested mechanism follows a modified form of the general radiolysis scheme for α-amino acids.
A study was also done in oxygen-containing solutions and although this is a much more complex system some tentative proposals as to the effect of oxygen on the radiolysis mechanism are proposed.