Abstract
Lumichrome (7,8-dimethylalloxazine) exhibits two fluorescence emission maxima at 440 and 540 nm in pyridine-dioxane. These emission band maxima are attributable to radiative decays from the excited states of lumichrome and its flavin tautomer, 7,8-dimethylisoalloxazine, respectively. The growth of the latter can be followed upon excitation of the former with a 2-nanosecond light pulse generated from the nitrogen plasma discharge lamp. The excited state tautomerism results from proton transfer from N-1 to N-10 position during the lifetime of the lumichrome singlet excited state. The rate depends on the concentration of general base, pyridine, and it is an order of magnitude slower than diffusion-controlled processes.