| Abstract: | The photochemistry of some synthetic ommochromes, the 1-methoxy-11-(β-aspartoyl-acetyl-methyl ester)-5H-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazin-5-one ( 2 ), the 1-methyl-1-(1′-[1′[11-(β-aspartoyl-methyl ester-imino)]ethenyl)-ketal-1 H,5H-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazin-5-one ( 3 ) and the 1,5-dimethoxy-11-(β-aspartoyl-N-acetyl-methyl ester)-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazine ( 4 ), obtained from the oxidation of the 3-hydroxykynurenine ( 1 ), has been examined. In an acidic methanol solution of 2 , a reversible solvent photoaddition was observed, associated with a yellow-red bathochromic shift. The mixture, stored in the dark, quantitatively records the starting absorption spectrum. In an acidic enviroment, 3 and 4 , affording 2 , show the same photochemical behaviour. A plausible mechanism, for explanation of the process is suggested. |
