An Unusual Photoreaction of 3,4-Di-O-benzyl-hypericin

 Upon irradiation of 3,4-di-O-benzyl-hypericin and proton sponge (bis-1,8-N,N-dimethylamino-naphthalene) in benzene solution, a stable radical ion pair formed which exhibited an intense absorption band around 800 nm. This was advanced by UV/Vis, NMR, and ESR spectroscopy. In presence of oxygen, irradiation of this photoproduct led to an activated oxygen species which then attacked the proton sponge.