The photo-oxidation of the nucleobase, thymine (Thy), and nucleoside, thymidine (dThy), by dipyridyl (DP) has been investigated in aqueous solution using time-resolved laser flash photolysis. The pH dependence of the oxidation rate constants is measured within a large pH scale. As a consequence, the chemical reactivity of the reactants existing in solution at a certain range of pH is predicted. Bimolecular rate constants of the quenching reactions between triplet dipyridyl and thymine and thymidine are, respectively, k(q) = 2.4 x 10(7) M-1 s(-1) (pH < 5.8) and k(q) = 1.0 x 10(7) M-1 s(-1) (5.8 < pH < 9.8). Cyclic voltammetry was used to measure the potentials of thymine oxidation and dipyridyl reduction in water at pH < 7. Both results give hints for a proton coupled electron-transfer (PCET) reaction from thymine to triplet dipyridyl.