The factors that influence the reactivity of C5' radicals in purine moieties under aerobic conditions are unknown not only in DNA, but also in simple nucleosides. 5',8-Cyclopurine lesions are the result of a rapid C5' radical attack to the purine moieties before the reaction with oxygen. These well-known lesions among the DNA modifications were suppressed by the presence of molecular oxygen in solution. Here we elucidate the chemistry of three purine-substituted C5' radicals (i.e., 2'-deoxyadenosin-5'-yl, 2'-deoxyinosin-5'-yl, and 2'-deoxyguanosin-5'-yl) under oxidative conditions using gamma-radiolysis coupled with product studies. 2'-Deoxyadenosin-5'-yl and 2'-deoxyinosin-5'-yl radicals were selectively generated by the reaction of hydrated electrons (e(aq)(-)) with 8-bromo-2'-deoxyadenosine and 8-bromo-2'-deoxyinosine followed by a rapid radical translocation from the C8 to the C5' position. Trapping these two C5' radicals with Fe(CN)(6)(3-) gave corresponding hydrated 5'-aldehydes in good yields that were isolated and fully characterized. When an oxygen concentration in the range of 13-266 mu M (typical oxygenated tissues) is used, the hydrated 5'-aldehyde is accompanied by the 5',8-cyclopurine nucleoside. The formation of 5',8-cyclopurines is relevant in all experiments, and the yields increased with decreasing 02 concentration. The reaction of HO center dot radicals with 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine under normoxic conditions was also investigated. The minor path of C5' radicals formation was found to be ca. 10% by quantifying the hydrated 5'-aldehyde in both experiments. Rate constants for the reactions of the 2'-deoxyadenosin-5'-yl with cysteine and glutathione in water were determined by pulse radiolysis to be (2.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(7) and (4.9 +/-0.6) x 10(7) M-1 s(-1) at 22 degrees C, respectively.