Single-Electron-Transfer in the Reduction of 1, 2-Dioxetanes by Biologically Active Substrates

Substances of low oxidation potential, which can also make available protons and hydrogen atoms, e.g. phenothiazines, NADH, and ascorbic acid efficiently reduce 1,2-dioxetanes to their vic-diols by single-electron-transfer; a significant side reaction is catalytic decomposition of dioxetanes into the corresponding ketone fragments.