Chemiluminescence of photolyzed or radiolyzed acridine

Abstract

The exposure of acridine in N, N-dialkylamides to sunlight or 60Co γ-radiation gives 9-substituted aminomethylacridan derivatives in high yields. The mechanism of the aminomethylation reactions is discussed. The addition of strong bases such as hydrides, or alkoxides in the presence of atmospheric oxygen to the reaction mixtures results in very efficient chemiluminescence. Quantum yields are in the order of 0.3 mol einstein −1 for the photolysis and are as high as 7 × 10 −3 einstein mol −1 for the chemiluminescence. Both the radiolysis and the radiolysis/chemiluminescence reactions constitute prospective radiation dosemeters.