| Abstract: | Abstract. The photochemistry of chlorpromazine (CPZ) and its metabolites, 7-hydroxychlorpromazine (7OHCPZ), desmethylchlorpromazine (DCPZ), didesmethylchlorpromazine (DDCPZ) and chlorpromazine sulfoxide (CPZSO) was studied by the spin trapping technique with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane and 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-N-oxide. 7-Hydroxychlorpromazine generated hydroxyl radicals when excited at 330 nm under either anaerobic or aerobic conditions. 7-Hydroxychlorpromazine, DCPZ and DDCPZ all underwent dechlorination upon photoexcitation which was enhanced in the absence of air. Chlorpromazine sulfoxide did not undergo photodechlorination but instead generated a high yield of the hydroxyl radical. A comparison among CPZ and its derivatives shows that the yield of the photodechlorinated product is directly related to the degree of phototoxicity. This suggests photodechlorination is an important factor in the phototoxicity of CPZ and its metabolites. |
