Photodynamic ethane and ethylene formation from α-linolenic acid catalyzed by cytokinins and copper ions

In the presence of riboflavin benzylaminopurine (BAP) induces ethane formation from α-linolenic acid in the light. Addition of Cu²⁺-ions leads to the formation of ethylene at the expense of ethane. Ethylene release from α-linolenic acid starts with copper ions at concentrations between 0.1 and 1 μM. Similar results are described for rose bengal as a further photodynamic active compound. On the basis of these results we present model reactions for a light-dependent ethylene formation from α-linolenic acid catalyzed by cytokinin derivatives and copper ions.