Formation of directly mutagenic alpha-hydroxy-N-nitrosopiperidine phosphate ester by near-ultraviolet irradiation of N-nitrosopiperidine in phosphate buffer

Previously we found that direct-acting mutagens can be formed from N-nitrosodialkylamines on exposure to near-ultraviolet light in the presence of phosphates. We have now isolated the mutagenic photoproduct formed from N-nitrosopiperidine and inorganic phosphate and identified its structure as the phosphate ester of alpha-hydroxy-N-nitrosopiperidine. This reaction represents a new, non-enzymatic activation of promutagenic N-nitrosodialkylamines.