Free radicals formed by exposure of pyrimidine solids to sodium atoms: an electron spin resonance study. 1975

G A Johnson

Sodium atoms have been deposited on various pyrimidine powders under high vacuum at 77 degrees K and the electron spin resonance spectra of the resulting free radicals have been observed. Generally, the spectra show that the electron of the Na goes into a molecular orbital of the pyrimidine ring and the Na+ ions become attached to a carbonyl oxygen of the resulting pyrimidine anion. In 5-fluorouracil and 5-chlorouracil, however, the halogen is evidently abstracted by the Na to form NaF or NaC1 and the neutral uracil radical. Thymine shows evidence for H-addition radicals as well as the Na+-[thymine]-complex. The H source for the addition radicals may be an H-2-0 impurity in the sample, with which the Na atoms combine to release the H atoms. In addition to a resonance with g equals 2.00 from the pyrimidine anion radical, broad resonances with g greater than 2 were observed for 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil and 5-iodouracil, as well as for alloxan and cytosine. These resonances, generally unstable at room temperature, are believed to arise from electrons trapped in interstitial sties or vacancies in the lattice.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011743 Pyrimidines A family of 6-membered heterocyclic compounds occurring in nature in a wide variety of forms. They include several nucleic acid constituents (CYTOSINE; THYMINE; and URACIL) and form the basic structure of the barbiturates.
D001976 Bromouracil 5-Bromo-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione. Brominated derivative of uracil that acts as an antimetabolite, substituting for thymine in DNA. It is used mainly as an experimental mutagen, but its deoxyriboside (BROMODEOXYURIDINE) is used to treat neoplasms. 5-Bromouracil,Bromuracil,5 Bromouracil
D003596 Cytosine A pyrimidine base that is a fundamental unit of nucleic acids.
D004578 Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy A technique applicable to the wide variety of substances which exhibit paramagnetism because of the magnetic moments of unpaired electrons. The spectra are useful for detection and identification, for determination of electron structure, for study of interactions between molecules, and for measurement of nuclear spins and moments. (From McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 7th edition) Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy is a variant of the technique which can give enhanced resolution. Electron spin resonance analysis can now be used in vivo, including imaging applications such as MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. ENDOR,Electron Nuclear Double Resonance,Electron Paramagnetic Resonance,Paramagnetic Resonance,Electron Spin Resonance,Paramagnetic Resonance, Electron,Resonance, Electron Paramagnetic,Resonance, Electron Spin,Resonance, Paramagnetic
D005472 Fluorouracil A pyrimidine analog that is an antineoplastic antimetabolite. It interferes with DNA synthesis by blocking the THYMIDYLATE SYNTHETASE conversion of deoxyuridylic acid to thymidylic acid. 5-FU,5-FU Lederle,5-FU Medac,5-Fluorouracil,5-Fluorouracil-Biosyn,5-HU Hexal,5FU,Adrucil,Carac,Efudex,Efudix,Fluoro-Uracile ICN,Fluoroplex,Fluorouracil Mononitrate,Fluorouracil Monopotassium Salt,Fluorouracil Monosodium Salt,Fluorouracil Potassium Salt,Fluorouracil-GRY,Fluorouracile Dakota,Fluorouracilo Ferrer Far,Fluoruracil,Fluracedyl,Flurodex,Haemato-FU,Neofluor,Onkofluor,Ribofluor,5 FU Lederle,5 FU Medac,5 Fluorouracil,5 Fluorouracil Biosyn,5 HU Hexal,Dakota, Fluorouracile,Fluoro Uracile ICN,Fluorouracil GRY,Haemato FU
D005609 Free Radicals Highly reactive molecules with an unsatisfied electron valence pair. Free radicals are produced in both normal and pathological processes. Free radicals include reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). They are proven or suspected agents of tissue damage in a wide variety of circumstances including radiation, damage from environment chemicals, and aging. Natural and pharmacological prevention of free radical damage is being actively investigated. Free Radical
D000496 Alloxan Acidic compound formed by oxidation of URIC ACID. It is isolated as an efflorescent crystalline hydrate.
D012964 Sodium A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23. Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23
D013941 Thymine One of four constituent bases of DNA. 5-Methyluracil,5 Methyluracil
D014498 Uracil One of four nucleotide bases in the nucleic acid RNA.

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