DYE-SENSITIZED PHOTOREDUCTION OF METHYL VIOLOGEN

Abstract— The kinetics of the proflavine-sensitized photoreduction of methyl viologen (MV²⁺) to the blue radical cation (MV^.+) are presented. The triplet excited state of proflavine accepts an electron from EDTA to form the singly-reduced species of proflavine (PH^.); this species donates an electron to either the oxidized (MV^.+) or the singly–reduced (MV^.+) species of the bipyridyl. MV²⁺ can be reoxidized by oxygen to MV²⁺ but is decomposed by H₂O₂. The doubly-reduced form can not be reoxidized either by oxygen or by peroxide. Potassium iodide inhibits the photoreduction of MV²⁺ by competing with it as reactant for the singly-reduced form of proflavine (PH^.). The mechanism presented may be analogous to that occurring in the reduction of MV²⁺ by illuminated spinach chloroplasts; its herbicidal action can not be ascribed to the formation of peroxides.