CALCULATED RATES AND EQUILIBRIA OF THERMAL INTERCONVERSION OF TRIPLET (3g-) AND SINGLET (1Δg and g+) MOLECULAR OXYGEN

Abstract— From spectroscopic data and rate constants in the literature, equilibrium constants and rates of thermal formation of singlet oxygen (¹Δ_g and ¹Σ_g⁺) were calculated for a number of conditions. For the gas phase we estimate K _eq(¹Δ_g³Σ_g^-) = 1.67 exp(-94.31 KJ/RT) and K _eq(¹Σ_g⁺/³Σ_g^-) = 0.33 exp(-157.0 KJ/RT). The calculated rate constants for the ³Σ_g⁺→¹Δ_g transition of O₂ at 25°C varied from 2.5 × 10^-11 s^-1 in water to 4.8 × 10^-16 s^-1 in air, assuming equal solvent interactions with the ground and excited states. Physical quenchers for singlet oxygen are expected to be catalysts for its thermal formation. Equations are presented which allow one to estimate whether such catalysis by quenchers will result in a pro-oxidant effect.     

Effect of Magnesium and Calcium Complexation on the Photochemical Properties of Norfloxacin

Abstract— The fluoroquinolone antibiotics can induce skin photosensitivity in some patients and this has been ascribed to the generation of reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen (O₂[¹Δ_g]). We have studied the photochemical properties of the different ionized forms of the fluoroquinolone norfloxacin upon complexation with Mg²+ and Ca²+ ions, as it is proposed that the antibiotic exists mainly as a complex in the blood plasma. We found that the norfloxacin cation (pH < 6) shows no photodegradation after UVA irradiation and has a low quantum yield of O₂(¹Δ_g) generation. The norfloxacin cation does not complex. Ca²+ or Mg²+ ions; when these ions are added to the solution, we observed no changes in the fluorescence quantum yields (φ_flu) and singlet oxygen yields (φ_Δ). In contrast, the neutral (6 ± pH > 8.5) and anionic (pH > 9) forms of norfloxacin are able to complex calcium and magnesium, and their generation of O₂ (¹Δ_g) is decreased by complexation. The neutral zwitterionic form and the anionic form also quench singlet oxygen by both chemical and physical pathways regardless of complex formation, while physical quenching is observed for the cation. At pH > 7.4, norfloxacin photobleaches and complexation to Ca²+ and Mg²+ increases the rate at which photobleaching occurs. Thus, both the pH of the medium and complexation with metal cations may affect the phototoxic potential of this antibiotic.     

POTENTIAL PHOTOSENSITIZERS FOR PHOTODYNAMIC TUMOR THERAPY—I. PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TWO CHLORIN DERIVATIVES

Abstract— Photophysical properties of two chlorin type molecules (CHLI) and (CHLII) were investigated in different solvents. Quantum yields of fluorescence φ_F of S, → T, intersystem crossing φ_T, and of singlet oxygen (¹Δ_g) formation φ_Δ, as well as the Stern-Volmer constants for the quenching of the S, states by oxygen and the bimolecular rate constants of quenching of ¹Δ_g by the chlorins were measured. The values of φ_T and φ_Λ can be given as 0.57 and 0.58 for CHLI and 0.69 and 0.58 for CHLII. The values of the fluorescence quantum yields, the strong absorption of the chlorins in the red (Λ > 630 nm) and the high values of the quantum yields for ¹Δ_g formation recommend the chlorin derivatives as potential markers and photosensitizers for tumor therapy.     

PHOTOKINETIC AND PHOTOPHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS OF THE SENSITIZED PHOTOOXIDATION OF THE TRYPTOPHYL RESIDUE IN N-ACETYL TRYPTOPHANAMIDE AND IN HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN

Abstract— The photosensitized oxidation of 10–100 μ M N -acetyl-L-tryptophanamide (NATA) in neutral aqueous solution and in the presence of various dyes proceeds by a pure O₂(¹Δ_g)-involving mechanism. Incorporation of the tryptophyl (Trp) residue into the polypeptide chain of human serum albumin (HSA) has no influence on the mechanism and efficiency of Trp photooxidation when sensitized either by methylene blue, a non-binding dye, or by rose bengal, a dye that gives non-covalent 1: 1 complexes with HSA. This is due to the location of the Trp residue in close proximity of the protein surface and, in the case of rose bengal, to the coincidence of the photophysical properties (including the quantum yield of O₂(¹Δ_g) generation) for the free and HSA-bound dye. Hematoporphyrin also binds to HSA with 1: 1 stoichiometry, although at a different site from rose bengal. Bound Hp again displays photophysical properties very similar with those of free Hp; however, the efficiency of Trp photo-oxidation in HSA is about 5-fold higher than in NATA owing to a limited rearrangement of the protein structure, induced by Hp binding, which enhances the probability of chemical quenching of O₂(¹Δ_g) by the indole ring.     

EFFECT OF AGGREGATION ON THE HEMATOPORPHYRIN-SENSITIZED PRODUCTION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN

Abstract— The hematoporphyrin-sensitized production of singlet molecular oxygen, O₂(¹Δ_g), has been investigated in methanol and in aqueous solution. The quantum yield for formation of O₂(¹Δ_g) (Φ_Δ) has been measured by both steady-state (oxygen consumption) and time-resolved (near-infrared luminescence) methods. In methanol, both techniques indicate that Φ_Δ= 0.76 and the value remains independent of sensitizer concentration over a wide range. This finding is consistent with the dye persisting in a monomelic form in methanol solution. In contrast, Φ_Δ decreases markedly with increasing sensitizer concentration in water due to dimerization of the dye. Analysis of the steady-state data indicates Φ_Δ values of 0.74 and 0.12, respectively, for monomer and dimer. It is further shown that the efficiency whereby quenching of the triplet state by O₂ results in generation of O₂(¹Δ_g) is substantially lower for the dimer than for the corresponding monomer. Because monomer and dimer possess quite different absorption spectral profiles, the efficacy for photodynamic action with hematoporphyrin exhibits a pronounced wavelength dependence.     

A MORE EXACT THEORETICAL INTERPRETATION OF RECENT EXPERIMENTAL DATA OBTAINED USING THE SEPARATED SENSITIZER AND SUBSTRATE METHOD TO INVESTIGATE O2(lδg) INTERACTIONS. POSSIBLE IMPORTANCE OF O2(1σg+)

Abstract— Recent experimental data obtained using the separated sensitizer and substrate method to investigate the interaction of O₂(¹δ_g) with various substances has been re-interpreted by means of a more complete theory. Comparison of experimental and recalculated values of the dependence of relative reaction rates on the sensitizer-substrate separation indicate general accord for experiments in which singlet oxygen acceptors in aqueous solution were used. The presumption is therefore that singlet molecular oxygen O₂(¹δ_g) is indeed the active oxidizing agent and that the theory presented and experiment are entirely in agreement.
For experiments in which bacterial targets were used a very distinct disagreement between theory and experiment is evident, the conclusion being that the kill rate does not depend linearly on the O₂(¹δ_g) concentration in the immediate proximity of the bacteria. However, the data is consistent with a quadratic dependence on the ¹δ_g concentration. A possible conclusion therefore is that the cytotoxic species is actually O₂(¹σ⁺_g), formed by an energy pooling reaction involving two O₂(¹δ_g) molecules.     

THE INFLUENCE OF MOLECULAR CONFORMATION ON THE STABILITY OF ULTRAVIOLET STABILIZERS TOWARD DIRECT AND DYE-SENSITIZED PHOTOIRRADIATION: THE CASE OF 2-(2'-HYDROXY-5'-METHYPHENYL)BENZOTRIAZOLE (TIN P)

Abstract— The mechanism for photodegradation of the ultraviolet photostabilizer 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole (TIN P) upon direct and dye-sensitized (singlet molecular oxygen [O₂(1Δ_g)]-mediated) irradiation was studied. From the experimental TIN P photodegradation rate data, and low temperature (77 K) fluorescence and phosphorescence quantum yields, one can conclude that the photodegradative process involves phosphorescent states of TIN P. The open conformer of TIN P quenches O₂(¹Δ_g) by physical scavenging with a rate constant (k_q) in dimethylsulfoxide of 2.8 times 10⁶ M ^-1 s^-1. The intramolecular hydrogen-bonded conformer does not appreciably interact with O₂(¹Δ_g). In the presence of a relatively high concentration of OH- (either 5 times 10^-2 M KOH in ethanol or water at pH 13), the ionic form of TIN P (with an ionized phenol group) physically and chemically quenches O₂(¹Δ_g). The reaction rate constant ( k _r) is 1 times 10 ⁸ M ^-1 s^-1, and the ratio k _q/ k _r is approximately three in alkaline aqueous media.     

THE PRODUCTION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN BY ZINC(II) PHTHALOCYANINE IN ETHANOL AND IN UNILAMELLAR VESICLES. CHEMICAL QUENCHING AND PHOSPHORESCENCE STUDIES

Abstract— Zn(II)phthalocyanine (ZnPc) generates O₂(¹Δ_g) with a quantum yield of ca. 0.4 upon photocxcitation at 354 or 600 nm in ethanolic solution as determined by time-resolved phosphorescence studies at 1270 nm and photooxidation experiments using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) as substrate. The quantum yield of photooxidation slightly increases upon incorporation of ZnPc into unilamellar liposomes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. Under our irradiation conditions (600 nm, 18^°C, and short light exposure times), DPBF(5–50 μM) undergoes photooxidation by a pure Type II mechanism; the rate constant for the O₂(¹Δ_g) + DPBF reaction is (1.1 ±0.1) x 10⁹ M^-1 s^_1 in ethanol solution and determined to be about two orders of magnitude smaller when both ZnPc and DPBF are embedded into liposomes.     

CHEMILUMINESCENCE AND THE FORMATION OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN THE OXIDATION OF CERTAIN POLYPHENOLS AND QUINONES

Abstract— The possibility of ¹O₂ (¹Δ_g) participation in the oxidation of polyphenols and quinones has been investigated in two systems: (1) the system involving autooxidation leading to oxidative polymerization and destruction, and (2) the modified Trautz-Schorigin reaction, i.e. oxidation of polyphenols and HCHO with H₂O₂ in concentrated alkaline solutions. The red band with maximum at 635 nm observed in chemiluminescence of pyrocatechol, adrenaline, pyrogallol, gallic acid, adrenochrome and p -benzoquinone corresponds to the transition 2O₂(¹Δ_g) → 2O₂(³Σ^-_g). Emission bands in the range 475–540 nm arise from the superposition of the 2O₂(¹Δ_g) → 2O₂(³Σ^-_g) transition and radiative deactivation of excited oxidation products. In system (2) chemiluminescence has a broad band from 580 nm beyond 800 nm and much higher intensity than in system (1). Formaldehyde was found to enhance light emission in system (1) by a factor of about 30. The influence of solvents, including D₂O in which ¹O₂ has varying lifetimes, on kinetics of chemiluminescence as well as quenching effect of β-carotene, hydroquinone, cysteine, bilirubin and biliverdin strongly support the involvement of ¹O₂ in the chemiluminescence of both systems.     

ACTIVATED OXYGEN: SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN AND SUPEROXIDE ANION

Abstract— Elusive processes associated with molecular oxygen in chemical and biological systems are interpreted in terms of two activated oxygen species, singlet molecular oxygen (¹Σ⁺_g/¹Δ_g) and superoxide anion (X²π_g). The generation and deactivation of singlet oxygen by interaction with organic triplet states are discussed within a comprehensive theoretical framework. Experimental results indicate the anomalous molecular oxygen enhanced luminescence from organic chromophores in polymer matrices results from the deactivation of singlet (¹Δ_g) oxygen by energy transfer to electronically excited states of the chromophore, and three types of oxygen enhanced luminescence have been identified in these systems. Properties of the superoxide anion relevant to its solution chemistry are briefly discussed. Electron transfer theory is used to theoretically examine the generation of singlet oxygen in disproportionation reactions of the superoxide anion, predicting that, depending on the number of water molecules present, the disproportionation reaction is a proficient source of singlet oxygen. A competing quenching process imposes a limit to the steady state concentration of singlet oxygen in most chemical systems. Available experimental results on the quenching of singlet oxygen by superoxide anion are in good agreement with theoretical results obtained via application of electron transfer theory.     

UPCONVERSION OF THE SINGLET OXYGEN 1269 nm EMISSION TO THE VISIBLE

Abstract— Experiments are described that enable the kinetic behavior of singlet oxygen, O₂(^IΔ_g), to be monitored in the time-resolved mode using a photomultiplier to detect deep orange light (γ_max 660 nm). This orange light is a consequence of the upconversion of the natural emission of O₂(^IΔ_g) at 1269 nm.     

PRODUCTS AND RELATIVE REACTION RATES OF THE OXIDATION OF TOCOPHEROLS WITH SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN

Abstract— The relative reactivity of singlet molecular oxygen, 0₂(¹Δ_g), α-,β-,Γ-and δ with -tocopherol (vitamin E) was investigated using microwave discharge generation as a uniquely clean source of singlet oxygen and using a hydrocarbon solvent to approximate the membrane environment. The relative efficiencies of the tocopherols for O₂(¹Δg) were found to decrease in the order: D-α-tocopherol > D-β-tocopheroI > D–Γ-tocopherol > D-δ-tocopherol. The reaction products in all cases were found to be mixtures of quinone and quinone epoxides apparently resulting from decomposition of the primary product, the hydroperoxydienone.     

LASER FLASH PHOTOKINETIC STUDIES OF ROSE BENGAL SENSITIZED PHOTODYNAMIC INTERACTIONS OF NUCLEOTIDES AND DNA

Abstract— Laser flash photolysis studies of the production of the triplet state of the xanthene dye, rose bengal (RB), have been carried out. The reactions of this state with oxygen to form singlet oxygen and the superoxide anion radical have been observed and yields measured. Quenching of RB(T₁) by oxygen leads to approximately 75% singlet oxygen and 20% superoxide. The reactivity of these species-RB(T₁), O₂(¹Δ_g) and O₂^-—with four nucleotides and DNA have been determined. Only guanine residues showed any noticeable reaction at neutral pH. At higher pH guanine rate constants increased. The consequences to biological photodynamic processes are discussed.     

THE QUENCHING OF SINGLET OXYGEN BY AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS

Abstract— The physical quenching of singlet molecular oxygen (¹Δ_g) by amino acids and proteins in D₂O solution has been measured by their inhibition of the rate of singlet oxygen oxidation of the bilirubin anion. Steady-state singlet oxygen concentrations are produced by irradiating the oxygenated solution with the 1–06 μm output of a Nd-YAG laser, which absorbs directly in the electronic transition ¹Δ_g+ 1 v →³Σ_g^-. The rate of quenching by most of the proteins studied is approximated by the sum of the quenching rates of their amino acids histidine, tryptophan and methionine, which implies that these amino acids in the protein structure are all about equally accessible to the singlet oxygen. The quenching constants differ from those obtained by the ruby-laser methylene-blue-photosensitized method of generating singlet oxygen, or from the results of steady-state methylene-blue-photosensitized oxidation, where singlet oxygen is assumed to be the main reactive species. The singlet oxygen quenching rates in D₂O, pD 8, are (10⁷ℒ mol^-1 s^-1): alanine 0–2, methionine 3, tryptophan 9, histidine 17, carbonic anhydrase 85, lysozyme 150, superoxide dismutase 260, aposuperoxide dismutase 250.     

FATTY ACID ANALYSIS AS A FUNCTION OF PHOTO-OXIDATION IN EGG YOLK LECITHIN VESICLES

Abstract— The photo-oxidation by O₂(¹Δ_g) of individual lipid components in egg yolk lecithin is examined as a function of time. The rate of oxidation is correlated with the degree of unsaturation in the fatty-acid chains.     

A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF LIMONENE FOR DETECTING SINGLET OXYGEN AS A COMPONENT OF POLLUTED AIR

Abstract— Exploratory experiments using simulated conditions indicate that the terpene, (+)-limonene can serve to detect O₂(¹Δ_g) in polluted atmospheres. ¹O₂ attack on limonene results in the formation of specific oxidation products in a specific distribution; quantitative identification of these products is a highly specific test for ¹O₂.     

ON THE MECHANISM OF QUENCHING OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN SOLUTION

Abstract— Bimolecular rate constants for the quenching of singlet oxygen O*₂(¹Δ_g), have been obtained for several transition-metal complexes and for β-carotene. Laser photolysis experiments of aerated solutions, in which triplet anthracene is produced and quenched by oxygen, yielding singlet oxygen which then sensitizes absorption due to triplet carotene, firmly establishes diffusion-controlled energy transfer from singlet oxygen as the quenching mechanism in the case of β-carotene. The efficient quenching of singlet oxygen by two trans-planar Schiff-base Ni(II) complexes, which have low-lying triplet ligand-field states, most probably also occurs as a result of electronic energy transfer, since an analogous Pd(II) complex and ferrocene, which both have lowest-lying triplet states at higher energies than the O*₂(¹Δ_g), state, quench much less effectively.     

A Comparative Kinetic and Mechanistic Study Between Tetrahydrozoline and Naphazoline Toward Photogenerated Reactive Oxygen Species

Kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the vitamin B2 (riboflavin [Rf])-sensitized photo-oxidation of the imidazoline derivates (IDs) naphazoline (NPZ) and tetrahydrozoline (THZ) were investigated in aqueous solution. The process appears as important on biomedical grounds, considering that the vitamin is endogenously present in humans, and IDs are active components of ocular medicaments of topical application. Under aerobic visible light irradiation, a complex picture of competitive interactions between sensitizer, substrates and dissolved oxygen takes place: the singlet and triplet (³Rf*) excited states of Rf are quenched by the IDs: with IDs concentrations ca.  5.0 m m and 0.02 m m Rf, ³Rf* is quenched by IDs, in a competitive fashion with dissolved ground state oxygen. Additionally, the reactive oxygen species: O₂(¹Δ_g), O₂^•−, HO^• and H₂O₂, generated from ³Rf* and Rf ^•−, were detected with the employment of time-resolved methods or specific scavengers. Oxygen uptake experiments indicate that, for NPZ, only H₂O₂ was involved in the photo-oxidation. In the case of THZ, O₂^•−, HO^• and H₂O₂ were detected, whereas only HO^• was unambiguously identified as THZ oxidative agents. Upon direct UV light irradiation NPZ and THZ generate O₂(¹Δ_g.), with quantum yields of 0.2 (literature value, employed as a reference) and 0.08, respectively, in acetonitrile.     

SPECTRAL OBSERVATION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN FROM AROMATIC ENDOPEROXIDES IN SOLUTION

Abstract— The characteristic near-infrared emission band of O₂ (¹Δ_g) at 1.28 μ m has been recorded from carbon tetrachloride solutions of the 1, 4-endoperoxides of 1,4-dimethyInaphthalene and 1, 4-dimethoxy-9.10-diphenylanthracene undergoing thermal decomposition.     

MECHANISMS OF THE PHOTOSENSITIZED OXIDATION OF TYRAMINE

Abstract— …According to the criteria of enhancement in D₂O and inhibition by sodium azide, the oxidation of tyramine photosensitized by methylene blue is largely a singlet oxygen or Type II process. Its quantum yield approximates 0.3 in D₂O at pH 10. There is a less efficient reaction not quenched by azide, which is assigned to a dye-substrate or Type I process. It gives rise to products with distinct bands at 320 and 285nm. Products of the Type I reaction are further oxidized by singlet oxygen and thereby compete with tyramine for this reagent. Kinetic parameters were estimated by computer simulation of the dependence of quantum yield on extent of reaction. The rate constant for reaction of O₂ (¹Δ_g) with tyramine was estimated to be 2.8 × 10⁸ M ^-1 s ^-1± 20% at pH 10. The reaction was also sensitized by hypericin in what appears to be a Type II process.