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.