Physico-chemical studies of complex organic molecules. Part I.―Monochromatic irradiation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
(I) A method is described for the production of monochromatic light of sufficient intensity to bring about reasonably rapid photochemical changes on very small amts. of material and the progress of the reaction is followed spectroscopically. Selective monochromatic irradiation is applied to some of the large molecules of biological importance notably ergos-terol and calciferol, vitamin B1, carotene and vitamin A.[long dash](II) At liquid air temp. the absorption bands of [beta] carotene (in ethyl alcohol) become narrower and shift to 4990 A., 4670 A., and 4350 A., and a new band appears at 4060 A. The ultra-violet band at 2700 A. becomes sharper but is little displaced. The main band of vitamin A concentrates at 3280 A. is shifted to 3350 A., and new bands appear at 2900 A., 2770 A., 2580 A., 2510 A. and 2430 A. The irradiation product of carotene whose absorption band at room temp. resembles that of vitamin A develops a structure at low temps. with bands at 3780 A., 3570 A., 3410 A. and 3210 A. This more precise spectroscopic test shows that the 2 substances are not the same. The absorption spectrum of vitamin E concentrates is due to several different molecules and some progress has been made in separating these.

This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit: