Photolysis of trenbolone
acetate (TBA) metabolites in the presence
of various nitrogen-, sulfur-, or oxygen-containing nucleophiles (e.g., azide, ammonia, or thiosulfate, respectively) results
in rapid (half-lives ∼20–60 min), photochemically induced
nucleophile incorporation across the parent steroid’s trienone
moiety. The formation of such nucleophile adducts limits formation
of photohydrates, suggesting competition between the nucleophile and
water for photochemical addition into the activated steroid structure.
Analogous to previously reported photohydration outcomes, LC/MS analyses
suggest that such photonucleophilic addition reactions are reversible,
with more rapid elimination rates than thermal dehydration of photohydrates,
and regenerate parent steroid structures. Beyond photonucleophilic
addition pathways, we also found that hydroxylamine and presumed nucleophilic
moieties in model dissolved organic matter (DOM; Fluka humic acid)
can react via thermal substitution with TBA metabolite
photohydrates, although this reaction with model DOM was only observed
for photohydrates of trendione. Most nucleophile addition products
[i.e., formed via (photo)reaction
with thiosulfate, hydroxylamine, and ammonia] are notably more polar
relative to the parent metabolite and photohydration products. Thus,
if present, both nucleophilic adducts and bound residues in organic
matter will facilitate transport and help mask detection of TBA metabolites
in surface waters and treatment systems.
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