ONE-ELECTRON OXIDATION OF GUANINE AND 2'-DEOXYGUANOSINE BY THE AZIDE RADICAL IN ALKALINE-SOLUTIONS

The N-3(.) radical specifically oxidized 2'-deoxyguanosine at its guan ylic moiety. The guanylic radical resulting from this one-electron oxi dation is followed by a first-order kinetics process. This is distinct ively observed in alkaline solutions (pH greater than or equal to 11) where a new transient could be characterized. This transient exhibits spectra that are similar to those observed with guanine. It is suggest ed that the oxidized nucleoside radical undergoes a monomolecular proc ess to form an oxidized guanine radical.