A radical-anion chain mechanism following dissociative electron transfer reduction of the model prostaglandin endoperoxide, 1,4-diphenyl-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane

The model prostaglandin endoperoxide, 1,4-diphenyl-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (3), was investigated in N,N-dimethylformamide at a glassy carbon electrode using various electrochemical techniques. Reduction of 3 occurs by a concerted dissociative electron transfer (ET) mechanism. Electrolysis at -1.6 V yields 1,3-diphenyl-cyclopentane-cis-1,3-diol in 97% by a two-electron mechanism; however, in competition with the second ET from the electrode, the resulting distonic radical-anion intermediate undergoes a beta-scission fragmentation. The rate constant for the heterogeneous ET to the distonic radical-anion is estimated to occur on the order of 2 x 10(7) s(-1). In contrast, electrolyses conducted at potentials more negative than -2.1 V yield a mixture of primary and secondary electrolysis products including 1,3-diphenyl-cyclopentane-cis-1,3-diol, 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione, trans-chalcone and 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-hydroxypropane by a mechanism involving less than one electron equivalent. These observations are rationalized by a catalytic radical-anion chain mechanism, which is dependent on the electrode potential and the concentration of weak non-nucleophilic acid. A thermochemical cycle for calculating the driving force for beta-scission fragmentation from oxygen-centred biradicals and analogous distonic radical-anions is presented and the results of the calculations provide insight into the reactivity of prostaglandin endoperoxides.     

Kinetics of dissociative electron transfer to ascaridole and dihydroascaridole-model bicyclic endoperoxides of biological relevance

The homogeneous and heterogeneous electron transfer (ET) reduction of ascaridole (ASC) and dihydroascaridole (DASC), two bicyclic endoperoxides, chosen as convenient models of the bridged bicyclic endoperoxides found in biologically relevant systems, were studied in aprotic media by using electrochemical methods. ET is shown to follow a concerted dissociative mechanism that leads to the distonic radical anion, which is itself reduced in a second step by an overall two-electron process. The kinetics of homogeneous ET to these endoperoxides from an extensive series of radical anion electron donors were measured as a function of the driving force of electron transfer (deltaG(o)ET). The kinetics of heterogeneous ET were also studied by convolution analysis. Together, the heterogeneous and homogeneous ET kinetic data provide the best example of the parabolic nature of the activation-driving force relationship for a concerted dissociative ET described by Savéant; the data is particularly illustrative due to the low bond-dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of the O-O bond and hence small intrinsic barriers. Analysis of the data allowed the dissociative reduction potentials (E(o)diss) to be determined as -1.2 and -1.1 Vagainst SCE for ASC and DASC, respectively. Unusually low pre-exponential factors measured in temperature-dependent kinetic studies suggest that ET to these O-O bonded systems is nonadiabatic. Analysis of ET kinetics for ASC and DASC by the Savéant model with a modification for nonadiabaticity allowed the intrinsic free energy for ET to be determined. The use of this approach and estimates for the BDE provide approximations of the reorganization energies. We suggest the methodology described herein can be used to evaluate the extent of ET to other endoperoxides of biological relevance and to provide thermochemical data not otherwise available.     

Elucidation of the electron transfer reduction mechanism of anthracene endoperoxides

The homogeneous and heterogeneous reductions of the endoperoxides 9,10-diphenyl-9,10-epidioxyanthracene (DPA-O2) and 9,10-dimethyl-9,10-epidioxyanthracene (DMA-O2) were investigated, and they were found to undergo a dissociative electron-transfer reduction of the O-O bond to yield a distonic radical anion, with no evidence for C-O bond dissociation. A number of thermochemical parameters for each were determined using Savéant's model for dissociative electron transfer (ET), including E degrees, DeltaG(o)++, and bond dissociation energies. The products of the ET are dependent on the mode of reduction, namely heterogeneous or homogeneous, and on the electrode potential or standard potential of the homogeneous donor, respectively. The dissociative reduction of DMA-O2 under heterogeneous and homogeneous conditions yields the corresponding 9,10-dihydroxyanthracene DMA-(OH)2, quantitatively, in an overall two-electron process. In the case of DPA-O2, ET reduction also yields the corresponding 9,10-dihydroxyanthracene DPA-(OH)2 from reduction of the distonic radical anion, but in competition with this reduction, an O-neophyl-type rearrangement occurs that generates a carbon radical with a minimum rate constant of 5.9 x 10(10) s(-1). In the presence of a sufficiently reducing medium, the carbon-centered radical is reduced (E degrees = -0.85 V vs SCE) and ultimately yields 9-phenoxy-10-phenyl anthracene (PPA). The observation of this product is remarkable. In the heterogeneous ET, the yield of DPA-(OH)2/PPA is 97:3 and allows an estimate of the rate constant for ET to the distonic radical anion. In homogeneous reductions, the O-neophyl rearrangement is quantitative, but the yield of PPA depends on the redox properties of the donor. A unified mechanism of reduction of DPA-O2 is presented to account for these observations.     

Model dialkyl peroxides of the fenton mechanistic probe 2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propyl hydroperoxide (MPPH): kinetic probes for dissociative electron transfer

Two dialkyl peroxides, devised as kinetic probes for the heterogeneous electron transfer (ET), are studied using heterogeneous and homogeneous electrochemical techniques. The peroxides react by concerted dissociative ET reduction of the O-O bond. Under heterogeneous conditions, the only products isolated are the corresponding alcohols from a two-electron reduction as has been observed with other dialkyl peroxides studied to date. However, under homogeneous conditions, a generated alkoxyl radical undergoes a rapid beta-scission fragmentation in competition with the second ET resulting in formation of acetone and a benzyl radical. With knowledge of the rate constant for fragmentation and accounting for the diffuse double layer at the electrode interface, the heterogeneous ET rate constant to the alkoxyl radicals is estimated to be 1500 cm s(-1). The heterogeneous and homogeneous ET kinetics of the O-O bond cleavage have also been measured and examined as a function of the driving force for ET, deltaG(ET), using dissociative electron transfer theory. From both sets of kinetics, besides the evaluation of thermochemical parameters, it is demonstrated that the heterogeneous and homogeneous reduction of the O-O bond appears to be non-adiabatic.     

Stereospecific synthesis of a dl-gala-aminoquercitol derivative

A new aminoquercitol derivative was synthesized starting from 1,4-cyclohexadiene. Photooxygenation of cyclohexa-1,4-diene afforded anti-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-en-5-yl hydroperoxide as the main product. The formed hydroperoxy endoperoxide was reduced with LiAlH₄ to produce anti-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-en-5-ol. Protection of alcohol with acetyl chloride followed by reduction of the endoperoxide with thiourea, and then palladium-catalyzed ionization/cyclization reaction gave an oxazolidinone derivative. Hydrolysis of the oxazolidinone ring and acetylation gave an amino compound. Oxidation of the double bond in the amino compound with OsO₄ followed by acetylation gave the amino tetraacetate and removal of the acetate groups furnished the desired aminoquercitol whose exact configuration was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

1,3,4,6-Tetramethyl-2,5-dioxabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane-3,6-diol: An example of a new bicyclic hemiketal

1,3,4,6-Tetramethyl-2,5-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3,6-diol, which is the simplest analog of a natural bicyclic hemiketal, was obtained and characterized. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 677–679, May, 2006.     

Electrochemical reduction of G3-factor endoperoxide and its methyl ether: evidence for a competition between concerted and stepwise dissociative electron transfer

The reduction of the bicyclic G-factor endoperoxides G3 and G3Me was studied in N,N-dimethylformamide using cyclic voltammetry and convolution analysis. Electron transfer leads to irreversible cleavage of the O--O bond. Detailed analysis of the voltammetry curves reveals a non-linear dependence on the transfer coefficient indicating a mechanistic transition from a stepwise mechanism to one with more concerted character with increasing potential. By using quantum calculations to estimate the O--O bond dissociation energies, the experimental data was used to evaluate the standard reduction potentials and other pertinent thermochemical information.     

CoTPP-catalyzed reaction of saturated bicyclic endoperoxides

Saturated bicyclic endoperoxides were exposed to CoTPP (Cobalt-meso-tetraphenylporphyrine) in chloroform, the peroxide bond was cleaved and a mixture of products arising from fragmentation and reduction obtained.     

Thermolyses of O-phenyl oxime ethers. A new source of iminyl radicals and a new source of aryloxyl radicals

Six O-phenyl ketoxime ethers, RR'C=NOPh 1-6, with RR' = diaryl, dialkyl, and arylalkyl, together with N-phenoxybenzimidic acid phenyl ether, PhO(Ph)C=NOPh, 7, have been shown to thermolyze at moderate temperatures with "clean" N-O bond homolyses to yield iminyl and phenoxyl radicals, RR'C=N(*) and PhO(*). Since 1-6 can be synthesized at room temperature, these compounds provide a new and potentially useful source of iminyls for syntheses. The iminyl from 7 undergoes a competition between beta-scission, to PhCN and PhO(*), and cyclization to an oxazole. Rate constants, 10(6) k/s(-1), at 90 degrees C for 1-6 range from 4.2 (RR' = 9-fluorenyl) to 180 (RR' = 9-bicyclononanyl), and that for 7 is 0.61. The estimated activation enthalpies for N-O bond scission are in satisfactory agreement with the results of DFT calculations of N-O bond dissociation enthalpies, BDEs, and represent the first thermochemical data for any reaction yielding iminyl radicals. The small range in k (N-O homolyses) is consistent with the known sigma structure of these radicals, and the variations in k and N-O BDEs with changes in RR' are rationalized in terms of iminyl radical stabilization by hyperconjugation: RR'C=N(*) <--> R(*)R'C[triple bond]N. Calculated N-H BDEs in the corresponding RR'C=NH are also presented.     

Chemistry of dioxine-annelated cycloheptatriene endoperoxides and their conversion into tropolone derivatives: an unusual non-benzenoid singlet oxygen source

The chemistry of two bicyclic endoperoxides, obtained by photooxygenation of 2,3-dihydro-7H-cyclohepta[1,4]dioxine and 2,3-dihydro-7H-cyclohepta[b][1,4]dioxin-7-one was investigated with the aim of synthesizing the respective tropolone derivatives. The reaction of these endoperoxides with base, thiourea and their thermolysis provided the desired tropolone derivatives in high yield. On the other hand, the thermolysis of the endoperoxide derived from 2,3-dihydro-7H-cyclohepta[b][1,4]dioxin-7-one underwent an unprecedented route and formed parent molecule and singlet oxygen instead of the expected troponoids. The formation mechanisms of all products are discussed.     

Thermal and electron-impact transformations of cis-1,2-dibbnzoylalkenes

Several cis-1,2-dibenzoylalkene derivatives have been prepared in yields ranging between 60–80%, through the Diels-Alder addition of the appropriate dienes to dibenzoylacetylene. These include, 2,3-dibenzoyl-bicyclo [2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (10), 2,3-dibenzoylbicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene (11), 7-oxa-2,3-dibenzoyl-bicyclo [2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (12), 1,4-diphenyl-2,3-dibenzoyl-1,4-epoxynaphthalene (13) and 9,10-dihydro-11,12-dibenzoy1-9, 10-ethenoanthracene (15), formed from cyclopentadiene, cyclohexa-1,3-diene, furan, 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran and anthracene, respectively.

Thermolysis of 2,3-dibenzoylbicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene gave chiefly cyclopentadiene, arising through a retro-Diels-Alder mode of fragmentation. Similar retro-Diels-Alder fragmentations have been observed in the cases of 7-oxa-2,3-dibenzoylbicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene and 9,10-dihydro-11,12-dibenzoyl-9,10-ethenoanthracene. The thermoylsis of 1,4-diphenyl-2,3-dibenzoyl-1,4-epoxynaphthalene, however, gave a mixture of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran and 1,2-dibenzoylbenzene. The formation of 1,2-dibenzoylbenzene in this case has been shown to be through the air-oxidation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran. Thermolysis of 2,3-dibenzoylbicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene, on the other hand, gave a nearly quantitative yield of 1,2-dibenzoylbenzene, which did not undergo further transformation even on heating around 260° for several hours. In none of these cases, the expected pericyclic transformation, analogous to the conversion of cis-1,2-dibenzoylstilbene (6) to the isomeric 2,2,3,4-tetraphenylbut-3-enolide (9), has been observed under thermal conditions. Treatment of 9,10-dihydro-11,12-dibenzoyl-9,10-ethenoanthracene (15) with phosphorous pentasulphide resulted in the formation of a mixture of 12,14-diphenyl-9, 10(3', 4')furanoanthracene (28) and 12,14-diphenyl-9,10(3',4')thiophenoanthracene (31), arising through the postulated intermediates, 9,10-dihydro-11-benzoyl-12-thiobenzoyl-9,10-ethenoanthracene (26) and 9,10-dihydro-11,12-dithiobenzoyl-9, 10-ethenoanthracene (29), respectively.

The electron-impact induced transformations of the cis-1,2-dibenzoylalkenes, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15 on the other hand, can be rationalized in terms of both retro-Diels-Alder type fragmentations and pericyclic transformations of the dibenzoylalkene components.     

Synthesis and structure of cyclopropano-annelated homosesquinorbornene derivatives containing pyramidalized double bonds: evidence for the sterical effect of a cyclopropyl group on the degree of C=C double-bond pyramidalization

[reaction: see text] endo- and exo-2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-1H-1,4-methanobenzocycloheptene-7-carboxylic acid ethyl esters have been synthesized, and their Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions with maleic anhydride, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and singlet oxygen have been investigated. The X-ray analysis of four adducts indicated the pyramidalization of the central double bond. Density functional theory calculations on the isolated products and model compounds showed excellent agreement between the experimental and theoretical determined butterfly angles. Furthermore, it has been shown that a cyclopropyl group fused to [2.2.2] system decreases significantly the degree of the pyramidalization which is attributed to the steric interactions between the cyclopropyl group and ethano bridge of the norbornene systems. Due to the instability of the bicyclic endoperoxides, their X-ray analysis could not be carried out. DFT calculations on model compounds showed increased bending in the case of the product obtained by the addition of singlet oxygen to endo-2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-1H-1,4-methanobenzocycloheptene-7-carboxylic acid ethyl ester.     

Activation/driving force relationships for cyclopropylcarbinyl --> homoallyl-type rearrangements of radical anions

By using direct and indirect electrochemical methods, rate constants (ko) for cyclopropane ring opening of radical anions derived from the one-electron reduction of trans-1-benzoyl-2-phenylcyclopropane, trans-1-benzoyl-2-vinylcyclopropane, 2-methylenecyclopropyl phenyl ketone, spiro[anthracene-9,1'-cyclopropan-10-one], 3-cyclopropylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, and 3-(1-methylcyclopropyl)cyclohex-2-en-1-one were determined. Qualitatively, rate constants for ring opening of these (and other cyclopropyl- and cyclobutyl-containing radical anions) can be rationalized on the basis of the thermodynamic stability of the radical anion, the ability of substituents on the cyclopropyl group to stabilize the radical portion of the distonic radical anion, and the stability of the enolate portion of the distonic radical anion. On the basis of this notion, a thermochemical cycle for estimating deltaG(o) for ring opening was presented. For simple cyclopropyl-containing ketyl anions, a reasonable correlation between log(ko) and deltaG(o) was found, and stepwise dissociative electron transfer theory was applied to rationalize the results. Activation energies calculated with density functional theory (UB3LYP/6-31+G*) correlate reasonably well with measured log(ko). The derived log(ko) and deltaG(o) and log(ko) vs E(a) plots provide the basis for a "calibration curve" to predict rate constants for ring opening of radical anions derived from carbonyl compounds, in general.     

Synthesis of branched carbasugars via photooxygenation and manganese(III) acetate free radical cyclization

Transformation of cyclohexa-1,3- and 1,4-dienes to carbasugars is described. Photooxygenation of dienes gave bicyclic endoperoxides, which were reduced with thiourea to the corresponding 1,4-diols with cis-configuration. Lactonization of the remaining double bond by oxidative addition of acetic acid to the double bond in the presence of Mn(OAc)₃ followed by lactone ring-opening reaction gave the target branched carbasugars.     

Ionized bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene: a twisted olefinic radical cation showing vibronic coupling

The bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene radical cation (1(.+)) exhibits matrix ESR spectra that have two very different types of gamma-exo hydrogens (those hydrogens formally in a W-plan with the alkene pi bond), a(2H) about 16.9 G and a(2H) about 1.9 G, instead of the four equivalent hydrogens as would be the case in an untwisted C(2v) structure. Moreover, deuterium substitution showed that the vinyl ESR splitting is not resolved (and under about 3.5 G); this is also a result of the twist. Enantiomerization of the C(2) structures is rapid on the ESR timescale above 110 K (barrier estimated at 2.0 kcalmol(-1)). Density functional theory calculations estimate the twist angle at the double bond to be 11-12 degrees and the barrier as 1.2-2.0 kcalmol(-1). Single-configuration restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) calculations at all levels that were tried give untwisted C(2v) structures for 1(.+), while RHF calculations that include configuration interactions (CI) demonstrate that this system undergoes twisting because of a pseudo Jahn-Teller effect (PJTE). Significantly, twisting does not occur until the sigma-orbital of the predicted symmetry is included in the CI active space. UHF calculations at all levels that include electron correlation (even semiempirical) predict twisting at the alkene pi bond because they allow the filled alpha and the beta hole of the SOMO to have different geometries. The 2,3-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene radical cation (2(.+)) is twisted significantly less than 1(.+), but has a similar temperature for maximum line broadening. Neither the 2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane radical cation (3(.+)) nor its 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diaza analogue (5(.+)) shows any evidence of twisting. Calculations show that the orbital energy gap between the SOMO and PJTE-active orbitals for 3(.+) is too large for significant PJTE stabilization to occur.     

Mechanism of the antioxidant action of silybin and 2,3-dehydrosilybin flavonolignans: a joint experimental and theoretical study

Flavonolignans from silymarin, the standardized plant extract obtained from thistle, exhibit various antioxidant activities, which correlate with the other biological and therapeutic properties of that extract. To highlight the mode of action of flavonolignans as free radical scavengers and antioxidants, 10 flavonolignans, selectively methylated at different positions, were tested in vitro for their capacity to scavenge radicals (DPPH and superoxide) and to inhibit the lipid peroxidation induced on microsome membranes. The results are rationalized on the basis of (i) the oxidation potentials experimentally obtained by cyclic voltammetry and (ii) the theoretical redox properties obtained by quantum-chemical calculations (using a polarizable continuum model (PCM)-density functional theory (DFT) approach) of the ionization potentials and the O-H bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) of each OH group of the 10 compounds. We clearly establish the importance of the 3-OH and 20-OH groups as H donors, in the presence of the 2,3 double bond and the catechol moiety in the E-ring, respectively. For silybin derivatives (i.e., in the absence of the 2,3 double bond), secondary mechanisms (i.e., electron transfer (ET) mechanism and adduct formation with radicals) could become more important (or predominant) as the active sites for H atom transfer (HAT) mechanism are much less effective (high BDEs).     

Alkoxylation of 3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone. New bis-1,2-benzoquinones

Alkoxylation of 3,6-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone with a number of diols, including propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,4-diol, di-, and triethylene glycols, and cyclohexane-1,4-diyldimethanol, was studied. Nine new 4-alkoxy-3,6-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinones were synthesized, four of which were bis-1,2-benzoquinones with different tethers (6–13 atoms) between the quinone fragments. Depending on the length of the chain between the hydroxy groups in glycols, bicyclic 4,5-disubstituted 3,6-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinones were formed or their stepwise alkoxylation occurred. The newly synthesized o-benzoquinone derivatives can be reduced with alkali metals to give radical anions and converted into semiquinone chelates with manganese carbonyl.     

Alkylation of natural endoperoxide G3-factor. Synthesis and antimalarial activity studies

Alkylation of the peroxyhemiketal function is described and all synthesised endoperoxides show good antimalarial activity. New rearrangement reactions in the presence of CsCO3, and preliminary results on Fe(II) chemical reduction of the O-O bond are presented.     

Radical anion chain process initiated by a dissociative electron transfer to a monocyclic endoperoxide

Electron transfer to 3,3,6,6-tetraphenyl-1,2-dioxane results in the cleavage of the oxygen-oxygen bond, generating a distonic radical anion intermediate whose fragmentation initiates an unprecedented radical anion chain process in competition with a second electron transfer.     

Thiol-catalysed radical-chain redox rearrangement reactions of benzylidene acetals derived from terpenoid diols

The thiol-catalysed radical-chain redox rearrangement of cyclic benzylidene acetals derived from 1,2- and 1,3-diols of terpene origin has been investigated from both synthetic and mechanistic standpoints. The redox rearrangement was carried out either at ca. 70 degrees C (using Bu(t)ON=NOBu(t) as initiator) or at ca. 130 degrees C (using Bu(t)OOBu(t) as initiator) in the presence of triisopropylsilanethiol or methyl thioglycolate as catalyst; the silanethiol was usually more effective. This general reaction affords the benzoate ester of the monodeoxygenated diol, unless rearrangement of intermediate carbon-centred radicals takes place prior to final trapping by the thiol to give the product, in which case structurally rearranged esters are obtained. For the benzylidene acetals of 1,2-diols prepared by vicinal cis-dihydroxylation of 2-carene, alpha-pinene or beta-pinene, intermediate cyclopropylcarbinyl or cyclobutylcarbinyl radicals are involved and ring opening of these leads ultimately to unsaturated monocyclic benzoates. 1,2-Migration of the benzoate group in the intermediate beta-benzoyloxyalkyl radical sometimes also competes with thiol trapping during the redox rearrangement of benzylidene acetals derived from 1,2-diols. Redox rearrangement of the benzylidene acetal from carane-3,4-diol, obtained by cis-dihydroxylation of 3-carene, does not involve intermediate cyclopropylcarbinyl radicals and leads to benzoate ester in which the bicyclic carane skeleton is retained. The inefficient redox rearrangement of the relatively rigid benzylidene acetal from exo,exo-norbornane-2,3-diol is attributed to comparatively slow chain-propagating beta-scission of the intermediate 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl radical, probably caused by the development of adverse angle strain in the transition state for this cleavage. Similar angle strain effects are thought to influence the regioselectivities of redox rearrangement of bicyclic [4.4.0]benzylidene acetals resulting from selected 1,3-diols, themselves prepared by reduction of aldol adducts derived from reactions of aldehydes with the kinetic lithium enolates obtained from menthone and from isomenthone.