The radical cation of hydrogen sulfide and related organic reactions

The electrochemical and chemical oxidation (by hinderedo-benzoquinones or NOClO₄) of H₂S in nonaqueous solutions (MeCN) proceeds with the donation of one electron. The formation of the unstable radical cation of hydrogen sulfide was detected by cyclic voltammetry. The radical cation decomposes to form H⁺ and the HS^. radical. The generation of the hydrogen sulfide radical cation was confirmed by ESR spectroscopy in a frozen Freon matrix. The possibility of using the hydrogen sulfide radical cation in the synthesis of organosulfur compounds under mild conditions was studied. The concept of the work was proposed by Prof. O. Yu. Okhlobystin. The first electrochemical experiments were performed when he was alive. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1182–1188, July, 2000.     

Cyclic Voltammetric Study of Some Anti‐Chagas‐Active 1,4‐Dioxidoquinoxalin‐2‐yl Ketone Derivatives

The electrochemical properties of 24 1,4‐dioxidoquinoxalin‐2‐yl ketone derivatives with varying degrees of anti‐Chagas activity were investigated in the aprotic solvent dimethylformamide (DMF) by cyclic voltammetry and first‐derivative cyclic voltammetry. For this group of compounds, the first reduction in DMF was either reversible or quasireversible and consistent with reduction of the N‐oxide functionality to form the radical anion. The second reduction process for these compounds was irreversible under the conditions used. The reduction potentials correlated well with molecular structure. Substitution in the 3‐, 6‐, and 7‐ positions of the quinoxaline ring by electron‐withdrawing substituents directly affected the ease of reduction and improved the biological activities of these compounds, whereas substitution by electron‐donating groups had the opposite effect. The electrochemical results, when combined with previous work on their mechanism of action against Chagas disease and their measured anti‐Chagas activities, indicated that the quinoxaline 1,4‐dioxide system serves as a promising starting point for chemical modifications aimed at improving the T. cruzi activity via a possible bioreduction mechanism.     

Electrochemical reduction of 4-(nitrophenyl)-1,2- and 4-(nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridines and the ESR spectra of the obtained free-radical particles

In the course of electrochemical generation the intermediate reaction products (free radicals of the nitro-and nitrosophenyl type, which appear on the cyclic voltammetric curves) were identified by ESR. The N-substituted derivatives are characterized by reduction of the dihydropyridine ring. The 4-nitrophenyl derivatives are characterized by the absence of intramolecular electron transfer during electrochemical reduction. In the case of the corresponding derivatives of 1,2-dihydropyridine intramolecular transfer of electrons and protons is possible under these conditions. Combined schemes of the primary and secondary chemical reactions involved in the electrochemical reduction of the investigated compounds are presented. It was established that the substances investigated with reference to the mechanism of the electrochemical transformations include the antihypertensive nifedipine (corinfar, fenigidine).Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga LV-1006. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 219–233, February, 1997.     

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of potent azadipeptide nitrile inhibitors and activity-based probes as promising anti-Trypanosoma brucei agents

Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei are parasites that cause Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness, respectively. There is an urgent need for the development of new drugs against both diseases due to the lack of adequate cures and emerging drug resistance. One promising strategy for the discovery of small-molecule therapeutics against parasitic diseases has been to target the major cysteine proteases such as cruzain for T. cruzi, and rhodesain/TbCatB for T. brucei. Azadipeptide nitriles belong to a novel class of extremely potent cysteine protease inhibitors against papain-like proteases. We herein report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of azanitrile-containing compounds, most of which were shown to potently inhibit both recombinant cruzain and rhodesain at low nanomolar/picomolar ranges. A strong correlation between the potency of rhodesain inhibition (i.e., target-based screening) and trypanocidal activity (i.e., whole-organism-based screening) of the compounds was observed. To facilitate detailed studies of this important class of inhibitors, selected hit compounds from our screenings were chemically converted into activity-based probes (ABPs), which were subsequently used for in situ proteome profiling and cellular localization studies to further elucidate potential cellular targets (on and off) in both the disease-relevant bloodstream form (BSF) and the insect-residing procyclic form (PCF) of Trypanosoma brucei. Overall, the inhibitors presented herein show great promise as a new class of anti-trypanosome agents, which possess better activities than existing drugs. The activity-based probes generated from this study could also serve as valuable tools for parasite-based proteome profiling studies, as well as bioimaging agents for studies of cellular uptake and distribution of these drug candidates. Our studies therefore provide a good starting point for further development of these azanitrile-containing compounds as potential anti-parasitic agents.     

Phosphorylated methano[60]fullerenes containing nitroxyl radicals: synthesis,structures, and electrochemical behavior

Phosphorylated methano[60]fullerenes containing one or two nitroxyl radicals were synthesized for the first time. Their structures were established from spectroscopic data and their compositions, by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Their electrochemical reduction in a system o-dichlorobenzene-DMF/0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄ was studied by cyclic voltammetry, preparative electrolysis, and ESR spectroscopy in combination with in situ electrolysis. Both compounds were found to undergo four-step reduction of the fullerene sphere, reduction of nitroxyl, opening of the three-membered ring, and elimination of addends as carbanions stabilized by protonation and rearrangement into phosphate ions and substituted acetylene, which are accompanied by the formation of free fullerene and dihydrofuranofullerene. The rates of the ring opening and the addend elimination increased with an increase in the negative charge on the fullerene sphere. These reactions are fast in the case of transfer of three electrons. With the use of model compounds, heterogeneous electron transfer to the nitroxyl radical at the potentials of the transfer of the third electron to the fullerene sphere and homogeneous intramolecular electron transfer from the dianion of the fullerene sphere were revealed. The mechanisms of the observed transformations are discussed. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1594–1607, July, 2005.     

Electrochemical reduction of decafluorobenzil in DMF on a platinum electrode

The mechanism of electrochemical reduction of decafluorobenzil on a platinum electrode in DMF was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The first reduction peak corresponded to a reversible single-electron transfer leading to the formation of a relatively stable anion-radical whose ESR spectrum was registered and characterized. The second peak corresponded to the reduction of the anion-radical into an unstable dianion that quickly reacted with initial decafluorobenzil, and the arising species (or its transformation product) at the given potential underwent further reduction. The effect of fluorine on the potentials and on the mechanism of the electrochemical reduction of decafluorobenzil was considered.     

Antitrypanosomal activity of Brazilian propolis from Apis mellifera

Extracts from different samples of Brazilian propolis were obtained by Soxhlet extraction or maceration at room temperature using ethanol, water, and accombination of both solvents. Analysis of their composition using HPLC revealed that no major differences were seen when a propolis sample was subject to different extraction methods. The activity of the 15 extracts was assayed against bloodstream trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease. Multivariate analysis was applied to evaluate the efficiency of the different extracts and the trypanocidal activity. The extracts could be divided into two groups. In the first, in which, extracts were obtained by reflux in Soxhlet using 100% ethanol, there was a lower content of bioactive compounds and consequently lower trypanocidal activity. Extract 136-Et100 stands out in this group, since it had the highest levels of bioactive compounds together with highest activity against the parasite when compared with all other extracts. The second group comprises extracts with intermediate levels of bioactive compounds and higher activity against T. cruzi.     

Phenoxide bridged tetranuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes: electrochemical, magnetic and antimicrobial studies

Phenoxide bridged later first row transition metal(II) complexes have been prepared by the interaction of later 3d transition metal(II) chlorides with tetranucleating compartmental Schiff base ligand system derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol, p-phenylenediamine and 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole. Ligand and complexes were characterized by analytical, spectral (IR, UV-visible, ESR, FAB-mass and fluorescence), magnetic and thermal studies. All complexes are found to have octahedral geometry. The mutual influence of metal centres in terms of cooperative effect on the electronic, magnetic, electrochemical and structural properties was investigated. The Schiff base and its complexes have been screened for their antibacterial (against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and antifungal activities (against Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans).     

Electron and oxygen transfer in polyoxometalate, H(5)PV(2)Mo(10)O(40), catalyzed oxidation of aromatic and alkyl aromatic compounds: evidence for aerobic Mars-van Krevelen-type reactions in the liquid homogeneous phase

The mechanism of aerobic oxidation of aromatic and alkyl aromatic compounds using anthracene and xanthene, respectively, as a model compound was investigated using a phosphovanadomolybdate polyoxometalate, H(5)PV(2)Mo(10)O(40), as catalyst under mild, liquid-phase conditions. The polyoxometalate is a soluble analogue of insoluble mixed-metal oxides often used for high-temperature gas-phase heterogeneous oxidation which proceed by a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. The general purpose of the present investigation was to prove that a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism is possible also in liquid-phase, homogeneous oxidation reactions. First, the oxygen transfer from H(5)PV(2)Mo(10)O(40) to the hydrocarbons was studied using various techniques to show that commonly observed liquid-phase oxidation mechanisms, autoxidation, and oxidative nucleophilic substitution were not occurring in this case. Techniques used included (a) use of (18)O-labeled molecular oxygen, polyoxometalate, and water; (b) carrying out reactions under anaerobic conditions; (c) performing the reaction with an alternative nucleophile (acetate) or under anhydrous conditions; and (d) determination of the reaction stoichiometry. All of the experiments pointed against autoxidation and oxidative nucleophilic substitution and toward a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. Second, the mode of activation of the hydrocarbon was determined to be by electron transfer, as opposed to hydrogen atom transfer from the hydrocarbon to the polyoxometalate. Kinetic studies showed that an outer-sphere electron transfer was probable with formation of a donor-acceptor complex. Further studies enabled the isolation and observation of intermediates by ESR and NMR spectroscopy. For anthracene, the immediate result of electron transfer, that is formation of an anthracene radical cation and reduced polyoxometalate, was observed by ESR spectroscopy. The ESR spectrum, together with kinetics experiments, including kinetic isotope experiments and (1)H NMR, support a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism in which the rate-determining step is the oxygen-transfer reaction between the polyoxometalate and the intermediate radical cation. Anthraquinone is the only observable reaction product. For xanthene, the radical cation could not be observed. Instead, the initial radical cation undergoes fast additional proton and electron transfer (or hydrogen atom transfer) to yield a stable benzylic cation observable by (1)H NMR. Again, kinetics experiments support the notion of an oxygen-transfer rate-determining step between the xanthenyl cation and the polyoxometalate, with formation of xanthen-9-one as the only product. Schemes summarizing the proposed reaction mechanisms are presented.     

Electrochemical study of redox properties of 2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-heterocyclopenta-2,4-dienes Ph4C4ER1R2 (E = Si,Ge, Sn). A new method for generation of tetraphenylgermole dianion

The electrochemical behavior of the sila-, germa-, and stannacyclopentadienes (metalloles) was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The oxidation and reduction mechanisms of these heterocyclic compounds were investigated. A new method for generation of tetraphenylgermole dianion involving the electrochemical reduction of the corresponding dichlorogermole is proposed. Electrochemical oxidation of the metallole dianions was first studied taking tetraphenylgermole dianion as an example.     

A microfluidic device based on a screen-printed carbon electrode with electrodeposited gold nanoparticles for the detection of IgG anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies

In this article we report the development of an integrated microfluidic system coupled to a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) applied to the quantitative determination of IgG specific antibodies present in serum samples of patients that suffer from Chagas disease. This relevant parasitic infection caused by the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi represents a major public health concern in Latin America. In order to perform the detection of mentioned antibodies, SPCE coupled to a microfluidic device was modified by electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and functionalized with Trypanosoma cruzi proteins from epimastigote membranes. The developed microfluidic immunosensor with immobilized T. cruzi proteins on the SPCE surface was successfully applied in the detection of specific IgG anti-T. cruzi antibodies, which were allowed to react immunologically with immobilized T. cruzi antigen. After that, labelled antibodies were quantified through the addition of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme-labeled secondary antibodies specific to human IgG, using 4-tert-butylcatechol (4-TBC) as enzymatic mediator. HRP in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) catalyzes the oxidation of 4-TBC whose back electrochemical reduction was detected on a modified electrode at -100 mV. The calculated detection limit for electrochemical detection was 3.065 ng mL(-1) and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 6.95%.     

Isoquino[4,5-bc]acridines: design, synthesis and evaluation of DNA binding, anti-tumor and DNA photo-damaging ability

Several novel isoquino[4,5-bc]acridine derivatives have been designed and synthesized. Their DNA-binding, anti-tumor and DNA-photo-damaging properties were investigated. A4 exhibited the highest anti-tumor activities against both A 549 (human lung cancer cell) and P388 (murine leukemia cells). All these compounds were found to be more cytotoxic against P388 than against A549. Under 365-nm light irradiation, A3 damaged plasmid DNA pBR322 at <2 microM and cleaved DNA from form I to 100% form II by 50 microM. The mechanism studies revealed that A3 damaged DNA by electron transfer mechanism and singlet oxygen species.     

Electrochemical behaviour of triphenylgermanium bromide

The electrochemical behaviour of triphenylgermanium bromide has been thoroughly investigated using various electrochemical techniques including polarography, cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. It has been found that in non-aqueous solvents triphenylgermanium bromide gives only one small drawn-out wave, while in aqueous-organic media two reduction waves are observed. The first wave has been ascribed to adsorption of the products of the reduction step II. The triphenylgermanium free radicals have been postulated to combine rapidly with protons in acidic media or to abstract hydrogen from water in alkaline media. The protonated species has been found to be reduced at potentials at which normal reduction of triphenylgermanium bromide takes place giving rise to a superimposed catalytic proton-discharge wave. A mechanism of reduction of triphneylgermanium bromide at the DME has been postulated and analytical methods for the determination of triphenylgermanium compounds at the formulation and trace analysis levels have been developed.     

Electrochemistry of potentially bioreductive alkylating quinones : Part 1. Electrochemical properties of relatively simple quinones,as model compounds of mitomycin- and aziridinylquinone-type antitumour agents

The influence of methyl-, hydroxy and amino substituents on the electrochemical behaviour of simple 1,4-naphtho-and 1,4-benzoquinones, model compounds of many quinoid antitumour agents, in aqueous media was studied. Significant changes in electrochemical behaviour were observed, potentially the result of a change in the electron density of the quinone moiety, pre- or post-protonation of substituents, hydrogen bond formation, tautomerization reactions and steric interactions between the quinone moiety and substituents. The information obtained was of benefit in the elucidation of the reduction mechanisms of quinoid antitumour agents such as aziridnylquinones and mitomycins.     

Synthesis,redox properties,and basicity of substituted 1-aminoanthraquinones: spectroscopic,electrochemical, and computational studies in acetonitrile solutions

1-Amino-, 1-ethylamino-, and 1-(diethylamino)-anthraquinone were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, acid–base titration, electrochemical methods, and quantum-chemical (QM) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31 ++G^** level. Acid–base titration and the relative differences between the free energies of the basic and acidic forms of the studied species show that 1-(diethylamino)anthraquinone is the strongest base in an acetonitrile solution. Moreover, the structural differences between the B3LYP-optimized neutral and protonated anthraquinones, notably the presence or the absence of internal hydrogen bonds, account well for the sequence of the measured/calculated basicity. The basicity of the investigated compounds strongly influences their electrochemical properties in acetonitrile. Indeed, the cyclic voltammograms of 1-aminoanthraquinone and 1-(ethylamino)anthraquinone display two well-resolved reduction waves that indicate a two-step reduction process (EE mechanism). On the other hand, the electroreduction of 1-(diethylamino)anthraquinone becomes complicated by the interaction of its reduced forms with traces of water present in an acetonitrile solution (ECE mechanism). The mechanism of this reaction is proposed, and its possibility to occur is examined based on QM calculations.     

A voltammetric study of several oxygen,sulfur and selenium heterocyclic carbonium ions in acetonitrile

Cyclic voltammetric data are reported on seven new oxygen, sulfur and selenium heterocyclic carbonium ions. Each compound undergoes electrochemical reduction to form a dimer. The reaction mechanisms are discussed. The compounds with selenoethoxy substituents formed heterofulvalenes at room temperature.     

ESR study on the photosensitized decomposition of polyethylene

Several aromatic compounds were added to low-density polyethylene to determine their effects on the photodegradation of polyethylene. It was shown that some aromatic compounds indeed sensitize the hydrogen abstraction of the allylic hydrogen of unsaturated groups contained in polyethylene as an improper bond. The mechanism of photosensitization was investigated by an ESR method. It was found that the higher photoexcited triplet state of an aromatic molecule produced by the biphotonic ultraviolet light absorption transfers its excess energy to the unsaturated bond to excite it, and the excited unsaturated group releases its allylic hydrogen atom, giving an allylic radical.     

Azulene-substituted aromatic amines. synthesis and amphoteric redox behavior of N,N-Di(6-azulenyl)-p-toluidine and N,N,N',N'-tetra(6-azulenyl)-p-phenylenediamine and their derivatives

[reaction: see text] N,N-Di(6-azulenyl)-p-toluidine (1a) and N,N,N',N'-tetra(6-azulenyl)-p-phenylenediamine (2a) and their derivatives with 1,3-bis(ethoxycarbonyl) substituents on each 6-azulenyl group (1b and 2b) were prepared by Pd-catalyzed amine azulenylation and characterized as a study into new aromatic amines for multistage amphoteric redox materials. The redox behavior of each compound was characterized by cyclic voltammetry. These compounds undergo facile reduction to stable anion radicals and dianion diradicals owing to the resonance stabilization between the 6-azulenyl groups and exhibit electrochemical oxidation depending on the amine subunits. The ESR measurement of anion radicals and a dianion diradical generated by the electrochemical reduction of amine 1b and diamine 2b revealed that the unpaired electron of these radicals delocalizes over the entire azulene ring including the central nitrogen atoms. UV-vis spectral analysis of amines 1a,b and diamines 2a,b, taken during the electrochemical reduction, exhibited a gradual decrease of the absorption bands of the neutral species along with an increase of the new absorption maxima at 625, 605, 640, and 610 nm, respectively, with the development of well-defined isosbestic points at 502, 562, 478, and 545 nm, respectively. As indicated by a combined ESR and UV-vis spectral study, the species giving rise to the new absorption maxima are concluded to be the generation of anion radicals and dianion diradicals of aromatic amines and diamines with high thermodynamic stability.     

Low-energy collision-induced fragmentation of negative ions derived from ortho-, meta-, and para-hydroxyphenyl carbaldehydes, ketones, and related compounds

Collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra of anions derived from several hydroxyphenyl carbaldehydes and ketones were recorded and mechanistically rationalized. For example, the spectrum of m/z 121 ion of deprotonated ortho-hydroxybenzaldehyde shows an intense peak at m/z 93 for a loss of carbon monoxide attributable to an ortho-effect mediated by a charge-directed heterolytic fragmentation mechanism. In contrast, the m/z 121 ion derived from meta and para isomers undergoes a charge-remote homolytic cleavage to eliminate an *H and form a distonic anion radical, which eventually loses CO to produce a peak at m/z 92. In fact, for the para isomer, this two-step homolytic mechanism is the most dominant fragmentation pathway. The spectrum of the meta isomer on the other hand, shows two predominant peaks at m/z 92 and 93 representing both homolytic and heterolytic fragmentations, respectively. (18)O-isotope-labeling studies confirmed that the oxygen in the CO molecule that is eliminated from the anion of meta-hydroxybenzaldehyde originates from either the aldehydic or the phenolic group. In contrast, anions of ortho-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde, both of which show two consecutive CO eliminations, specifically lose the carbonyl oxygen first, followed by that of the phenolic group. Anions from 2-hydroxyphenyl alkyl ketones lose a ketene by a hydrogen transfer predominantly from the alpha position. Interestingly, a very significant charge-remote 1,4-elimination of a H(2) molecule was observed from the anion derived from 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. For this mechanism to operate, a labile hydrogen atom should be available on the hydroxyl group adjacent to the carbaldehyde functionality.     

Endgroup-assisted siloxane bond cleavage in the gas phase

Unimolecular dissociation of H(2)N(CH(2))(3)SiOSi(CH(2))(3)NH(3)(+) generates SiC(5)H(16)NO(+) and SiC(5)H(14)N(+). The formation of SiC(5)H(16)NO(+) involves dissociation of a Si[bond]O bond and formation of an O[bond]H bond through rearrangement. The fragmentation mechanism was investigated utilizing ab initio calculations and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry in combination with hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions. Sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID) studies of the fully deuterated ion D(2)N(CH(2))(3)SiOSi(CH(2))(3)ND(3)(+) provided convincing evidence for a backbiting mechanism which involves hydrogen transfer from the terminal amine group to the oxygen to form a silanol-containing species. Theoretical calculations indicated decomposition of H(2)N(CH(2))(3)SiOSi(CH(2))(3)NH(3)(+) through a backbiting mechanism is the lowest energy decomposition channel, compared with other alternative routes. Two mechanisms were proposed for the fragmentation process which leads to the siloxane bond cleavage and the SORI-CID results of partially deuterated precursor ions suggest both mechanisms should be operative. Rearrangement to yield a silanol-containing product ion requires end groups possessing a labile hydrogen atom. Decomposition of disiloxane ions with end groups lacking labile hydrogen atoms yielded product ions from direct bond cleavages.