Electrochemical study of the reduction of toyocamycin and sangivamycin in aqueous media

The redox behaviour of two antibiotics, toyocamycin and sangivamycin, structurally related pyrrolopyrimidine nucleosides, and their reduction products in buffered aqueous media, have been examined by direct current polarography and cyclic voltammetry. Both compounds exhibit one 3-electron polarographic wave in the pH range 1-6. Macroscale electrolysis at the crest of the polarographic wave was followed electrochemically and by UV spectroscopy. The photochemical transformation of the reduction products on UV irradiation has been examined. It was found that the reduction of both compounds occurs in the pyrimidine ring, leading to two reduction products. One of these (lambda max = 306 nm) is photochemically reversible to the parent compound.