Transannular dioxygenation of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene by cytochrome P-450 oxygenase of rat liver.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene is oxygenated by rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 oxygenase to its 9,10-epidioxide. This transannular 1,4-peroxide is converted further into the diol by the microsomal preparation and NADPH. These two products constitute the majority of the metabolites found under the conditions described.