Photocleavage of Benzyl-Sulfide Bonds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00077a041

The nucleoside transport inhibitor 6-<(4-nitrobenzyl)thio>-9-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)purine, NBMPR, has been used successfully in photoaffinity labeling.We have studied the mechanism for photocleavage of the benzyl-sulfur bond by using substituted benzyl phenyl sulfides as analogues of NBMPR.This has enabled us to enhance the photoreactivity of the benzyl-sulfur bond.We have also performed "radical clock" studies with a hexenyl side chain to trap reactive intermediates.The mechanistic interpretation from the substituent and side chain studies is that the benzyl-sulfur moiety is photocleaved via a homolytic pathway.