Search for heterocyclic radiolytic products in aqueous solutions of cyanides

This work is a part of a systematic search for biologically significant compounds which are formed during radiolysis of aqueous solutions of cyano compounds. Aqueous solutions of HCN (0.2M, O₂-free, natural pH) were irradiated at 18 Mrad dose of ⁶⁰Co gammas, and the non-volatile radiolytic products concentrated in a dry residue. An aliquot of the dry residue was hydrolyzed with formic acid and the hydrolyzate selectively absorbed on active charcoal. The bulk of products from the charcoal was passed through a SP Sephadex C-25 column and the fractions analyzed by means of high performance liquid chromatography on a reverse phase column. Tentative assignments are based on retention times in the HPLC procedure and their pH dependence, and the coinjection of standards. The presence of adenine is certain. There is supporting evidence for uracil, thymine and cytosine. Experimental results also strongly support the presence of triazines.