The uracil ring is a key component in a variety of biologically important and active compounds.  Of considerable interest is the reaction of uracil with different reactive oxygen species. We have conducted studies on the oxidation of 6-MeU, as a model for cylindrospermopsin, a potent problematic cyanotoxin found in drinking water. The model compound, 6-MeU was subjected to TiO2 photocatalysis under UV and visible light irradiation.  The disappearance of 6-MeU was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The TiO2 photocatalytic degradation is effective over a range of initial 6-MeU concentrations, but the observed rate decreases with increasing initial concentrations. The rates of degradation are proportional to the intensity of UV light employed. The addition of hydroxyl radical scavengers decreases the degradation rates implying hydroxyl radical plays a key role in the degradation process. The results suggest that UV TiO2 photocatalysis is a promising method for the degradation of uracil based biologically active compounds.

Titanium dioxide photocatalyzed degradation of 6-methyluracil (6-MeU)

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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