Dienogest is a potent progestin used as an oral contraceptive and there is growing concern about the persistence of such bioactive pharmaceuticals in water.  Here, we study how dienogest breaks down in surface waters via reaction with sunlight. We observed pH strongly influenced rates of photoylsis, as well as the yield and identity of photoproducts.  Notably, the photoproduct mixtures were unstable; in the dark they transformed to regenerate dienogest.  Accordingly, dienogest is likely far more persistent in surface waters than currently realized, and results herein will allow better prediction of its environmental fate.

Photolysis and product-to-parent reversion of dienogest

251st National Meeting (2016)

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