S-Adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolyzes in acid solution (0.1M HCl, 100 degrees C, over 90 minutes) to form S-ribosylhomocysteine. It is not hydrolyzed in neutral alkaline solutions (stable in 0.1M NaOH at 25 degrees C over 10 minutes), but oxidation is more rapid in alkaline solution. S-Adenosyl-homocysteine is slowly oxidized to the sulfoxide as a solid and in solution. It is protected from oxidation by thiodiglycol; neutral solutions containing thiodiglycol are stable for long periods at 25 degrees C.
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