Radiation effects trace species

The chemical transformations that occur on ultraviolet irradiation of adrenaline and noradrenaline solutions have been investigated by Walaas, who showed that the initial photoactivation of the catecholamine molecule is a direct effect (i.e., it is not dependent on the presence of trace metals) and that the activated species, probably free radical in nature, are readily autoxidizable in air.61 Walaas suggests that the activation of catecholamines by ultraviolet radiation may involve electronic changes similar to those initially occurring during the metal-catalyzed oxidation of catecholamines at an intermediate pH.14,61... 

The photodecomposition of benzylamine has recently been investigated. Terenin et reported that the major decomposition products, as analyzed by kinetic mass spectroscopy, are H + PhCH2NH, with only a trace of the species NHj and PhCH2. However, irradiation of A -methylbenzylamine or A, A -dimethylbenzyl-amine in ether, yields toluene (f> = 0.085) and dibenzyl, presumably via C-N cleavage the effective radiation was about 2700 The photodecomposition of A-methyl-l,l-diphenylmethylamine and other derivatives also proceeds via C-N cleavage since the major product is diphenylmethane varying amounts of 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane were also detected, depending on the solvent viscosity, viz. 

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