A study of solvent effects on the phosphorescence properties of flavins.

A combination of zero field triplet state techniques are used to study the excited electronic states of a series of flavin and flavin related molecules both in single crystals and glass matrices. Particular attention is given to the effects of solvent interaction on the triplet state properties of the flavin molecules. The total phosphorescence decay rate constants at 1.4 degrees K are reported for the flavin molecules in polar and nonpolar solvents. The rate constants are then correlated to the degree of solvent interaction. Results indicate possible complex formation between the isoalloxazine and adenine groups in FAD. Finally, the results and possible interpretation on the study of a flavoenzyme, L-amino acid oxidase are presented.