Photophysical and photochemical processes of riboflavin (vitamin B2) by means of the transient absorption spectra in aqueous solution

Using time-resolved techniques of 337 and 248 nm laser flash photolysis, the photo physical and photochemical processes of riboflavin (RF, vitamin B₂) were studied in detail in aqueous solution. The excited triplet state of riboflavin (³RF^*) was produced with 337 nm laser, while under 248 nm irradiation, both³RF^* and hydrated electron (e_aq) formed from photoionization could be detected. Photobiological implications have been inferred on the basis of reactivity of³RF^* including energy transfer, electron transfer and hydrogen abstraction. The RF^·+ was generated by oxidation of SO₄ ^·-radical with the aim of confirming the results of photolysis.