Hydroxylation of deoxy guanosine at the C-8 position by polyphenols and aminophenols in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ferric ion.

Various polyphenols and aminophenols were tested for reactivity with deoxyguanosine and DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ferric ion. Deoxyguanosine was efficiently hydroxylated at the C-8 position by these treatments. In the case of DNA, strand scission was observed in addition to the hydroxylation of guanine residues.