Model reactions for bacterial bioluminescence

Abstract

Acid-catalysed addition of hydrogen peroxide to n-butyl vinyl ether gave a separable mixture of the hydroperoxides (1)–(4); peroxides (1)–(3) undergo chemiluminescent reactions in acetonitrile with 1,3,10-trimethylisoalloxazinium perchlorate in the presence of triethylamine, and the flavin analogue catalyses the decomposition of the peroxides.