Abstract: A direct, acid-catalyzed substitution reaction incorporates an N-phthalimidomethyl group on the 4' or 5' carbon of a psoralen in yields of 60-80% via the condensation of an N-hydroxymethylamide or phthalimide (e.g. N-hydroxymethylphthalimide) and an appropriately substituted psoralen. The phthalimide moiety is cleaved from the psoralen ring by treatment with hydrazine to give 60 to 70% yields of the aminomethylpsoralens.

Abstract: The invention relates to 5'-aminoalkyl-4'-alkylpsoralens, having essentially no erythematic photosensitizing activity but at the same time having substantial DNA-binding photosensitizing activity, making them of especial interest from the standpoint of suntanning and psoriasis treatment, characteristics which are unpredictable when the compounds are compared with psoralens of similar but different structure.

Abstract: An apparatus designed for monitoring the administering of ultraviolet therapy, particularly for portable use such as at the beach, has a control system adapted to monitor the instantaneous intensity of the ultraviolet light received by a subject being treated, wherein the instantaneous intensity is integrated by means of a rechargeable electrochemical cell to measure the total ultraviolet energy per unit area received by the subject during a given time. The apparatus is so controlled that when the total energy received by the subject as measured by the apparatus reaches a predetermined preset value as determined by the discharged state of the electrochemical cell, a warning signal either visible or audible is given to the subject. In an improved embodiment an electronic means is used to subtract the energy measured at one wavelength from the energy measured at other wavelengths, thereby providing a low cost filter means for selecting the desired wavelength to be measured.

Abstract: The invention relates to 8-aminoalkylpsoralens, having essentially no erythematic photosensitizing activity but at the same time having substantial DNA-binding photosensitizing activity, making them of especial interest from the standpoint of suntanning and psoriasis treatment, characteristics which are unpredictable when the compounds are compared with psoralens of similar but different structure.