Electron emission from photo-excited testosterone in water–ethanol solution

Abstract

Testosterone (TES; 4-androstene-17β-ol-3-on) is found for the first time to eject electrons from its singlet excited state in water–ethanol solvent mixture. This ability was very recently also observed for 17β-estradiol (17βE2) and progesterone (PRG)/1/. With increasing TES-concentration, the yield of solvated electrons ( e s - ) is decreasing, because of “associate” formation. At higher absorbed UV-doses ( λ = 254 nm) the e s - yield is passing a sharp maximum by formation of TES–ethanol adducts, which are able likewise to emit electrons when excited. At prolonged irradiation the resulting photolytic products of TES–ethanol adducts are also able to emit electrons. The capability of the hormones: 17βE2, PRG and TES to eject electrons and the resulting metabolites, some of which can induce cancer, is discussed.