X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of some selenium containing amino acids.

X-ray photoelectron spectra of some inorganic selenium compounds, Se-methionine, Se-cystine, Se-urea and selenodicysteine were recorded and compared with the XPS data obtained from the respective sulphur containing compounds. The oxidation state of selenium could be monitored by the observed chemical shifts of the Se(3p1/2),Se(3p3/2) and Se(3d3/2,5/2) levels. Though having a formal oxidation state near zero, the binding energy of the core electrons of Se in Se-methionine, Se-cystine and selenodicysteine was shifted by 0.4, 0.7 and 0.4 eV, respectively. This phenomenon was attributed to the rather distinct polarization of Se. The reversible oxidation of Se-cystine using H2O2 and NaBH4 could be successfully demonstrated by this XPS-technique.