THE PHOTO‐OXIDATION OF N, N‐DIETHYLHYDROXYLAMINE BY ROSE BENGAL IN ACETONITRILE AND WATER

Abstract
The Rose Bengal photosensitized oxidation of N,N‐diethylhydroxylamine has been investigated in water and acetonitrile using the techniques of oxygen uptake, singlet oxygen phosphorescence and electron spin resonance. In both solvents H2O2 is the major oxidation product and diethylnitroxide is an intermediate. In water, superoxide dismutase decreases oxygen uptake suggesting involvement of superoxide anions in the oxidation process. Results indicate that in water the photo‐oxidation proceeds mainly by a Type I(electron transfer) mechanism, while in acetonitrile a Type II(energy transfer) mechanism has been confirmed (Encinas et al., 1987, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. II,1125–1127).