Investigation of dynamics of radiolytic formation of CdSe nanoparticles in aqueous solutions

The formation of cadmium selenide, CdSe, nanoparticles in aqueous solutions containing equimolar ammoniated cadmium sulfate, [Cd(NH(3))](4)SO(4) and sodium selenosulfate, Na(2)SeSO(3) as the starting materials, has been investigated by electron pulse radiolysis coupled with kinetic spectrometry. The formation of CdSe nanoparticles was found to proceed through the generation of short-lived transient intermediate species having an absorption peak at 520 nm, which is formed only upon the reaction of hydrated electrons, e(aq) with the precursor ions under deaerated conditions. The transient intermediate species decays with a weighted average rate constant, 1.2 × 10(7) s(-1). The transient intermediate species formed in the case of individual precursors did not match with the transients formed when both the precursors are taken together in the solutions under the present experimental conditions. The reaction rate constants between the precursor ions, [Cd(NH(3))(4)](2+) and the transient intermediate species formed from [SeSO(3)](2-) was 1.9 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1). Similarly, the reaction rate constants between the precursor ions, [SeSO(3)](2-) and the transient intermediate species formed from [Cd(NH(3))(4)](2+) was 5.5 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1). This clearly indicates that the formation of CdSe nanoparticles occurs through both reaction channels. However, the major reaction channel is through the reaction of e(aq) with the [Cd(NH(3))(4)](2+) ions (k = 3.1 × 10 (10) M(-1) s(-1)), as its rate constant is one order higher than that of the reaction of e(aq) with the [SeSO(3)](2-) ions (k = 2.3 × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)).     

Mechanism of H(2) evolution from a photogenerated hydridocobaloxime

Proton transfer from the triplet excited state of brominated naphthol to a difluoroboryl bridged Co(I)-diglyoxime complex, forming Co(III)H, was monitored via transient absorption. The second-order rate constant for Co(III)H formation is in the range (3.5-4.7) × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), with proton transfer coupled to excited-state deactivation of the photoacid. Co(III)H is subsequently reduced by excess Co(I)-diglyoxime in solution to produce Co(II)H (k(red) = 9.2 × 10(6) M(-1) s(-1)), which is then protonated to yield Co(II)-diglyoxime and H(2).     

Laboratory kinetic and mechanistic studies on the OH-initiated oxidation of acetone in aqueous solution

The OH-initiated oxidation of acetone in aqueous solution is investigated because of its potential implications in atmospheric chemistry. The UV-spectrum of the transient acetonylperoxy radical was measured. Two characteristic absorption bands of the acetonylperoxy radical spectrum are found in the 220-400 nm wavelength region. The rate constant for the recombination reaction of the acetonylperoxy radical was determined as a function of temperature for the first time in aqueous solution with k(rec,298?K) = (7.3 ± 1.3) × 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), E(A) = 4.5 ± 3.3 kJ mol(-1), and A = (4.7 ± 2.7) × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). Furthermore, kinetic investigations of the OH-initiated oxidation of methylglyoxal and pyruvic acid were performed with the following results: for methylglyoxal, k(second) = (6.2 ± 0.2) × 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), E(A) = 12 ± 2 kJ mol(-1), and A = (7.8 ± 0.2) × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1); for pyruvic acid (pH = 0), k(second) = (3.2 ± 0.6) × 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), E(A) = 15 ± 5 kJ mol(-1), and A?= (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10(11) M(-1) s(-1); for pyruvate (pH = 6), k(second) = (7.1 ± 2.4) × 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), E(A) = 25 ± 19 kJ mol(-1), and A = (1.5 ± 0.4) × 10(13) M(-1) s(-1). Quantitative product studies were done as a function of the number of laser photolysis pulses for acetone and its oxidation products methylglyoxal, hydroxyacetone, pyruvic acid, acetic acid, and oxalic acid. After the recombination reaction of acetonylperoxy radicals, there are two possible decomposition reactions where the primary products methylglyoxal and hydroxyacetone are formed. From product analysis after a single photolysis laser shot, the ratio of the main product-forming reactions was determined as (A) 30% and (B) 56% for the methylglyoxal formation via channel A to yield two molecules of methylglyoxal and channel B to yield one molecule of methylglyoxal and one molecule of hydroxyacetone. The remaining product can be ascribed to channel C, the radical-retaining channel forming alkoxy radicals with a yield of 14%. Pyruvic acid and acetic acid were found to be the major intermediates estimated with concentrations in the same order of magnitude and a similar time profile, indicating that acetic acid is also a possible oxidation product of methylglyoxal.     

2+2] Photocycloaddition reaction dynamics of triplet pyrimidines

Taking the 266 nm excited pyrimidine (uracil or thymine) with cyclopentene as model reaction systems, we have examined the photoproduct formation dynamics from the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reactions of triplet pyrimidines in solution and provided mechanistic insights into this important DNA photodamage reaction. By combining two compliment methods of nanosecond time-resolved transient IR and UV-vis laser flash-photolysis spectroscopy, the photoproduct formation dynamics as well as the triplet quenching kinetics are measured. Characteristic IR absorption bands due to photoproduct formation have been observed and product quantum yields are determined to be ～0.91% for uracil and ～0.41% for thymine. Compared to the measured large quenching rate constants of triplet uracil (1.5 × 10(9) M(-1)s(-1)) or thymine (0.6 × 10(9) M(-1)s(-1)) by cyclopentene, the inefficiency in formation of photoproducts indicates competitive physical quenching processes may exist on the route leading to photoproducts, resulting in very small product yields eventually. Such an energy wasting process is found to be resulted from T(1)/S(0) surface crossings by the hybrid density functional calculations, which compliments the experiments and reveals the reaction mechanism.     

The dependence of α-tocopheroxyl radical reduction by hydroxy-2,3-diarylxanthones on structure and micro-environment

The flavonoid quercetin is known to reduce the α-tocopheroxyl radical (˙TocO) and reconstitute α-tocopherol (TocOH). Structurally related polyphenolic compounds, hydroxy-2,3-diarylxanthones (XH), exhibit antioxidant activity which exceeds that of quercetin in biological systems. In the present study repair of ˙TocO by a series of these XH has been evaluated using pulse radiolysis. It has been shown that, among the studied XH, only 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one (XH9) reduces ˙TocO, though repair depends strongly on the micro-environment. In cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles, 30% of ˙TocO radicals are repaired at a rate constant of ~7.4 × 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) by XH9 compared to 1.7 × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) by ascorbate. Water-soluble Trolox (TrOH) radicals (˙TrO) are restored by XH9 in CTAB (rate constant ~3 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1)) but not in neutral TX100 micelles where only 15% of ˙TocO are repaired (rate constant ~4.5 × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1)). In basic aqueous solutions ˙TrO is readily reduced by deprotonated XH9 species leading to ionized XH9 radical species (radical pK(a) ~10). An equilibrium is observed (K = 130) yielding an estimate of 130 mV for the reduction potential of the [˙X9,H(+)/XH9] couple at pH 11, lower than the 250 mV for the [˙TrO,H(+)/TrOH] couple. A comparable value (100 mV) has been determined by cyclic voltammetry measurements.     

Metal-stabilized thiyl radicals as scaffolds for reversible alkene addition via C-S bond formation/cleavage

The one-electron oxidation of metal thiolates results in an increased oxidation state of the metal ion or the formation of a sulfur-based, thiyl radical in limiting extremes. For complexes with highly covalent M-S bonds, the unpaired electron may be delocalized over the metal and the sulfur, yielding a metal-stabilized thiyl radical. Oxidation of the metal thiolate precursors [Ru(DPPBT)(3)](-), [Ru-1](-), and Re(DPPBT)(3), Re-1 (DPPBT = diphenylphosphinobenzenethiolate), generates metal-stabilized thiyl radicals that react with alkenes to yield dithioether-metal products. Alkene addition to [Ru-1](+) and [Re-1](+) is symmetry-allowed due to the meridional arrangement of the DPPBT chelates. Combined bulk electrolysis and cyclic voltammetry experiments reveal the addition of alkenes to [Ru-1](+) as an irreversible process with experimentally determined rate constants ranging from 4.6(5) × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) for electron-rich alkenes to 2.7(2) × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for electron-poor alkenes. Rate constants for cyclic alkenes range from 4(2) × 10(7) to 2.9(3) × 10(3) M(-1) s(-1). Chemical oxidation of [Ru-1](-) by ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate (FcPF(6)) in the presence of m-methylstyrene or p-methylstyrene yields the dithioether complexes [Ru-1·m-methylstyrene](+) and [Ru-1·p-methylstyrene](+), respectively. Each complex was crystallized and the structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. (31)P NMR of the samples reveals a major and minor product, each displaying a second-order spectrum. The oxidized intermediate [Re-1](+) binds alkenes reversibly with equilibrium binding constants that vary with the complex charge from 1.9 × 10(-11) M(-1) for n = 0 to 4.0 M(-1) for n = +1 to 2.5 × 10(9) M(-1) for n = +2. The three binding regimes are separated by 240 mV. Crystalline samples of [Re-1·C(2)H(4)](2+) are obtained upon chemical oxidation of Re-1 with silver hexafluorophosphate (AgPF(6)) in the presence of ethylene. Strategies for the addition of alkenes to other metal-stabilized thiyl radicals are suggested.     

Fluorescence "Turn-On" chemosensor for the selective detection of beryllium

A new fluorogenic method for selective and sensitive determination of beryllium using 2,6-diphenyl-4-benzo-9-crown-3-pyrane (DBCP) was developed. The proposed fluorescent probe undergoes fluorescent emission intensity enhancement upon binding to beryllium ions in MeOH/H(2)O (70:30, v/v) solution. The fluorescence enhancement of DBCP is attributed to a 1:1 complex formation between DBCP and Be(2+) ion, which has been utilized as the basis for selective detection of Be(2+) ion. With the optimum condition described, the fluorescence enhancement at 531 nm was linear to the concentration of beryllium in the range of 1.6×10(-8)-1.6×10(-7) M and a detection limit of 1.5×10(-9) M. The fluorescent probe exhibits high selectivity for Be(2+) ion over the other common mono, di- and trivalent cations.     

Laser flash photolysis study on the retinol radical cation in polar solvents

Laser flash photolysis (LFP) of retinol in argon-saturated methanol gives rise to a transient at 580 nm (transient A). Formation of transient A is accompanied by a transient growth at 370 nm. The rate of this growth is retinol concentration-dependent. The transient growth at 370 nm was removed in the presence of N(2)O, which is known to scavenge solvated electrons. These results can be interpreted by formation of retinol˙(+) (λ(max) = 580 nm) and solvated electrons following LFP of retinol. Subsequently, the solvated electrons are rapidly scavenged by retinol to form retinol˙(-) (λ(max) = 370 nm in methanol). On the other hand, transient A is not ascribed to the retinyl cation, as was previously proposed, because the retinyl cation, generated from LFP of retinyl acetate, and transient A show different reactivities towards halide ions (e.g. k(Br) = 1.7 × 10(9) and 1.51 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1) respectively, in acetonitrile). After demonstrating the identity of transient A as retinol˙(+), its reactions with carotenoids were examined in air-saturated polar solvents. In the presence of carotenoids, an enhancement in the decay of retinol˙(+) was observed and was accompanied by formation of the corresponding carotenoid radical cations via electron transfer from carotenoids to retinol˙(+). Furthermore, the reactivity of retinol˙(+) towards pyridine derivatives was investigated in air-saturated polar solvents. It was found that the decay of retinol˙(+) was accelerated with concomitant formation, with the same rate, of a transient at 370 nm. Similar observations were obtained with increasing pH of air-saturated aqueous 2% Triton X-100 of retinol˙(+). The 370 nm (or 380 nm in the case of Triton X-100) transient is attributed to the base adducts or deprotonated neutral radicals. On the basis of these results, the reactivities of the retinyl cation and retinol˙(+) are compared and the consequences of retinol˙(+) formation within biological environments are discussed.     

Rate constants for cyclizations of α-hydroxy radical clocks

The 1-hydroxy-1-methyl-6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl radical (4a) and the 1-hydroxy-1-methyl-7,7-diphenyl-6-heptenyl radical (4b) were prepared from the corresponding PTOC esters (anhydrides of a carboxylic acid and N-hydroxypyridine-2-thione). The key step in the synthetic method for the precursors was a coupling reaction of the respective carboxylic acids with the thiohydroxamic acid, which was conducted for ca. 5 min and followed rapidly by chromatography. Rate constants for cyclizations of radicals 4a and 4b in acetonitrile and in THF were measured directly between -30 and 60 °C by laser flash photolysis methods. The Arrhenius functions in acetonitrile are log k = 9.9-2.6/2.303RT and log k = 8.9-4.4/2.303RT (kcal mol(-1)) for 4a and 4b, respectively. Rate constants for cyclizations at room temperature of 9 × 10(7) s(-1) and 4 × 10(5) s(-1) are somewhat larger than the rate constants for cyclizations of analogous alkyl radicals. Crude rate constants at room temperature for H-atom trapping of 4a by thiophenol and 4b by t-butylthiol were k(T) = 1.2 × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) and k(T) = 2 × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), respectively, which are modestly larger than rate constants for reactions of alkyl radicals with the same trapping agents.     

Ciprofloxacin photosensitized oxidation of 2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate in neutral aqueous solution

Laser flash photolysis studies have been carried out to investigate the reactions of ciprofloxacin (CPX) with 2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate (dGMP), N, N, N', N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) and ferulic acid (FCA) in neutral aqueous solutions, respectively. CPX triplet state ((3)CPX*) can be quenched by TMPD, FCA and dGMP, with rate constants of 1.8 × 10(9), 1.5 × 10(9) and 5.8 × 10(7) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), respectively. TMPD radical cation (TMPD(·+)) and FCA radical cation (FCA(·+)) were observed directly. The formation rate of CPX radical anion (CPX(·-)) was determined to be 1.5 × 10(9) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). Redox reaction of dGMP was investigated through competing reactions using TMPD and FCA as probe. The triplet energy of CPX was determined to be 262 kJ mol(-1). Electron transfer from TMPD, FCA and dGMP to (3)CPX* was proposed.     

Silanones and silanethiones from the reactions of transient silylenes with oxiranes and thiiranes in solution. The direct detection of diphenylsilanethione

The transient silylenes SiMe(2) and SiPh(2) react with cyclohexene oxide (CHO), propylene oxide (PrO), and propylene sulfide (PrS) in hydrocarbon solvents to form products consistent with the formation of the corresponding transient silanones and silanethiones, respectively. Laser flash photolysis studies show that these reactions proceed via multistep sequences involving the intermediacy of the corresponding silylene-oxirane or -thiirane complexes, which are formed with rate constants close to the diffusion limit in all cases and exhibit UV absorption spectra similar to those of the corresponding complexes with the nonreactive O- and S-donors, tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrothiophene. The SiMe(2)-PrO and SiPh(2)-PrO complexes both exhibit lifetimes of ca. 300 ns, and are longer-lived than the corresponding complexes with CHO, which are both in the range of 230-240 ns. On the other hand, the silylene-PrS complexes are considerably shorter-lived and vary with silyl substituent; the SiMe(2)-PrS complex decays with the excitation laser pulse (i.e., τ ≤ 25 ns), while the SiPh(2)-PrS complex exhibits τ = 48 ± 3 ns. The decay of the SiPh(2)-PrS complex affords a long-lived transient product exhibiting λ(max) ≈ 275 nm, which has been assigned to diphenylsilanethione (Ph(2)Si═S) on the basis of its second order decay kinetics and absolute rate constants for reaction with methanol, tert-butanol, acetic acid, and n-butyl amine, for which values in the range of 1.4 × 10(8) to 3.2 × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) are reported. The experimental rate constants for decay of the SiMe(2)-epoxide and -PrS complexes indicate free energy barriers (ΔG(?)) of ca. 8.5 and ≤7.1 kcal mol(-1) for the rate-determining steps leading to dimethylsilanone and -silanethione, respectively, which are compared to the results of DFT (B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)) calculations of the reactions of SiH(2) and SiMe(2) with oxirane and thiirane. The calculations predict a stepwise C-O cleavage mechanism involving singlet biradical intermediates for the silylene-oxirane complexes, and a concerted mechanism for silanethione formation from the silylene-thiirane complexes, in agreement with earlier ab initio studies of the SiH(2)-oxirane and -thiirane systems.     

Photochemistry of Aryl Vinyl Sulfides and Aryl Vinyl Ethers: Evidence for the Formation of Thiocarbonyl and Carbonyl Ylides

Aryl vinyl thioethers 5a and 9a and aryl vinyl ethers 5b and 9b form ylide intermediates following laser irradiation at 308 nm. In benzene, the ylides possess long-lived absorption bands in the 600-800 nm region with a second weaker band at approximately 460 nm. In methanol, a known quencher of zwitterionic species, the lifetimes are reduced significantly. The decay kinetics measured within the long wavelength absorption envelope vary with wavelength, indicating the presence of more than one ylide species. Formation of the ylides occurs via a naphthalene-like triplet state in the case of aryl vinyl ethers, while for the thioethers the multiplicity of the ylide precursor could be either singlet or triplet. Product formation in benzene for 5a and 5b involves ring closure of the ylide to produce dihydrothiophene and dihydrofuran products, respectively. For short periods of irradiation (either lamps or laser) a mixture of cis- and trans-fused products is observed, while for prolonged irradiation only the cis-fused compound is detected, suggesting a photoenolization mechanism for conversion of trans to cis. In addition to products derived from ring closure, 9a provides intramolecular addition product 12. Conversely, the ylide derived from 9b gives rise to the [3 + 2] cycloaddition product 13.     

Construction and photophysics study of supramolecular complexes composed of three-point binding fullerene-trispyridylporphyrin dyads and zinc porphyrin

A series of novel supramolecular complexes composed of a three-point binding C(60)-trispyridylporphyrin dyad (1) or C(70)-trispyridylporphyrin dyad (2) and zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnP) were constructed by adopting a "covalent-coordinate" bonding approach, composed of three-point binding. The dyads and self-assembled supramolecular triads or pentads formed by coordinating the pyridine groups located on the dyads to ZnP, have been characterized by means of spectral and electrochemical techniques. The formation constants of ZnP-1 and ZnP-2 complexes were calculated as 1.4 × 10(4) M(-1) and 2.0 × 10(4) M(-1), respectively, and the Stern-Volmer quenching constants K(SV) were founded to be 2.9 × 10(4) M(-1) and 5.5 × 10(4) M(-1), respectively, which are much higher than those of other supramolecular complexes such as previously reported ZnP-3 (N-ethyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-3,4-fulleropyrrolidine). The electrochemical investigations of these complexes suggest weak interactions between the constituents in the ground state. The excited states of the complexes were further monitored by time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The results revealed that the presence of the multiple binding point dyads (1 or 2) slightly accelerated the fluorescence decay of ZnP in o-DCB relative to that of the "single-point" bound supramolecular complex ZnP-3. In comparison with 1 and 2, C(70) is suggested as a better electron acceptor relative to C(60). DFT calculations on a model of supramolecular complex ZnP-1 (with one ZnP entity) were performed. The results revealed that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is mainly located on the fullerene cage, while the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is mainly located on the ZnP macrocycle ring, predicting the formation of radical ion pair ZnP(+)˙-H(2)P-C(60)(-)˙ during photo-induced reaction.     

Intervalence charge transfer in mixed valence compound modified by the formation of a supramolecular complex

The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of N,N-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (PDA) were investigated in the absence and in the presence of 18-crown-6-ether (18C6) or dibenzo 24-crown-8-ether (DB24C8), in a solution of tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF6) in acetonitrile and in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) only for 18C6. In neutral acetonitrile, PDA undergoes two reversible oxidation processes, which lead first to the formation of the cation-radical considered as mixed valence (MV) compound, and then to the dicationic species. When 18C6 is added in the medium and depending on 18C6 concentration, cyclic voltammetry shows a marked shift to more cathodic potentials of the current waves of the second redox process only. This is attributed to a strong interaction between the PDA(+2) dication and two 18C6 molecules, leading to the formation of a supramolecular complex with an association constant value K(a) = 7.0 × 10(7) M(-2). The interaction of 18C6 with PDA(+2) dication has a direct effect on the PDA(+.) cation-radical corresponding to a decrease in the lifetime of the MV compound and of the intramolecular electron transfer rate when 18C6 is present. Indeed, it results in a large decrease in the intervalence charge transfer (IV-CT) between the two amine centers in the MV compound (k(th) = 1.35 × 10(10) s(-1) in 18C6-free neutral solution containing 5.0 × 10(-4) M PDA, and k(th) = 3.6 × 10(9) s(-1) in the same medium at [18C6]/[PDA] = 20/1). And the comproportionation constant K(co) falls from 6.0 × 10(6) in 18C6-free solution to 1.6 × 10(3) at [18C6]/[PDA] = 20/1. In acidified acetonitrile and when TFA concentration is increased, PDA still shows the two successive and reversible oxidation processes, but both are shifted to more anodic potentials. However, when 18C6 is added, the two oxidation waves shift to more cathodic potentials, indicating an interaction of all protonated PDA redox states with 18C6, resulting in the formation of supramolecular complexes. In the presence of TFA, the value of K(co) is decreased to 4.3 × 10(4), but it remains unchanged when 18C6 is added, indicating no change in the lifetime of the MV compound. In this medium, IV-CT in the MV compound is greater with 18C6 (k(th) = 2.3 × 10(10) s(-1) for [18C6]/[PDA] = 20/1) than without (k(th) = 1.4 × 10(9) s(-1)), which indicates a more important IV-CT rate when 18C6 is present. The results show for the first time that is it possible to control the IV-CT rate, through the lifetime and the potential range where the MV compound is the most important. This control is not obtained as usual by chemical modification of the structure of the starting molecule, but by varying either the acidity or the 18C6 concentration as external stimuli, which lead to reversible formation/dissociation of a supramolecular complex species. Moreover, we also studied the electrochemical properties of PDA in the presence of wider crown ether such as DB24C8. We showed that PDA undergoes the same electrochemical behavior with DB24C8 than with 18C6 in neutral organic medium (K(a) = 2.9 × 10(3) M(-1)). This result suggests that the complexation between the electrogenerated PDA(+2) dication and the crown ethers may occur through face-to-face mode rather than rotaxane mode even with DB24C8 which is supposed to form inclusion complexes.     

Evidence for a lack of reactivity of carotenoid addition radicals towards oxygen: a laser flash photolysis study of the reactions of carotenoids with acylperoxyl radicals in polar and non-polar solvents

In this paper, we report the results of a laser flash photolysis study of the reactions of a range of carotenoids with acylperoxyl radicals in polar and nonpolar solvents. The results show, for the first time, that carotenoid addition radicals do not react with oxygen to form carotenoid peroxyl radicals; an observation which is of significance in relation to antioxidant/pro-oxidant properties of carotenoids. Acylperoxyl radicals, generated by photolysis of ketone precursors in oxygenated solvents, display high reactivity toward carotenoids in both polar and nonpolar solvents, but the nature of the carotenoid radicals formed is dependent on solvent polarity. In hexane, acylperoxyl radicals react with carotenoids with rate constants in the region of 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) and give rise to transient absorption changes in the visible region that are attributed to the formation of addition radicals. All of the carotenoids show bleaching in the region of ground-state absorption and, with the exception of 7,7'-dihydro-beta-carotene (77DH), no distinct absorption features due to addition radicals are observed beyond the ground state absorption region. For 77DH, the addition radical displays an absorption band that is spectrally resolved from the parent carotenoid absorption. The rate of decay of the 77DH addition radical is unaffected by oxygen in the concentration range 10(-4)-10(-2) M, suggesting that these resonance-stabilized carbon-centered radicals are not scavenged by oxygen. At low incident laser intensities, the 77DH addition radical decay kinetics are 1st order with k(1) approximately 4 x 10(3) s(-1) at room temperature. The 1st order decay is attributed to an intramolecular cyclization process, which is supported by the substantial negative entropies of activation obtained from measurements of the decay rate constants for different 77DH addition radicals as a function of temperature. No transient absorption features are observed in the red or near-infrared regions in hexane for any of the carotenoids studied. In polar solvents such as methanol, acylperoxyl radicals also react with carotenoids with rate constants in the region of 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), but give rise to transient absorption changes in both the visible and the red/near-infrared regions, where it is evident that there are two distinct species. For 77DH, the addition radical absorption around 450 nm is still evident, although its kinetic behavior differs from its behavior in hexane. For 77DH and zeta-carotene (zeta-CAR) the spectral and kinetic resolution of the various absorption bands simplifies kinetic analysis. The kinetic evidence suggests that addition radical formation precedes formation of the two near-infrared absorbing species, and that the kinetics of the addition radical decay match the kinetics of formation of the first of these species (NIR1, absorbing at shorter wavelengths). The decay of NIR1 leads to NIR2, which is attributed to the carotenoid radical cation. The solvent dielectric constant dependence of the relative amounts of NIR1 and NIR2 formed leads us to speculate that NIR1 is an ion-pair. However, an alternative assignment for NIR1 is an isomer of the radical cation. The results, in terms of the pattern of reactivity the carotenoids display and of the properties of the carotenoid radicals formed, are discussed in relation to the antioxidant/pro-oxidant properties of carotenoids.     

Desktop near-field thermal-lens microscope for thermo-optical detection in microfluidics

A new compact near-field desktop-sized diode laser thermal-lens microscope for analysis in microfluidics was proposed. A novel beam-alignment and detection systems provided high signal stability and, along with reduced number of optical elements rendered the instrument portable. The detection of nonfluorescent model species (Fe(II)-bathophenanthroline chelate) in water showed good linearity in the range of 5 × 10(-9) to 1 × 10(-4) M, and the limit of detection was 3.5 × 10(-9) M, which corresponded to 3.5 × 10(-7) absorbance units and provided a 20-fold enhancement in sensitivity compared with existing schematic.     

Dissociation kinetics of Mn2+ complexes of NOTA and DOTA

The kinetics of transmetallation of [Mn(nota)](-) and [Mn(dota)](2-) was investigated in the presence of Zn(2+) (5-50-fold excess) at variable pH (3.5-5.6) by (1)H relaxometry. The dissociation is much faster for [Mn(nota)](-) than for [Mn(dota)](2-) under both experimental and physiologically relevant conditions (t(?) = 74 h and 1037 h for [Mn(nota)](-) and [Mn(dota)](2-), respectively, at pH 7.4, c(Zn(2+)) = 10(-5) M, 25 °C). The dissociation of the complexes proceeds mainly via spontaneous ([Mn(nota)](-)k(0) = (2.6 ± 0.5) × 10(-6) s(-1); [Mn(dota)](2-)k(0) = (1.8 ± 0.6) × 10(-7) s(-1)) and proton-assisted pathways ([Mn(nota)](-)k(1) = (7.8 ± 0.1) × 10(-1) M(-1) s(-1); [Mn(dota)](2-)k(1) = (4.0 ± 0.6) × 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1), k(2) = (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10(3) M(-2) s(-1)). The observed suppression of the reaction rates with increasing Zn(2+) concentration is explained by the formation of a dinuclear Mn(2+)-L-Zn(2+) complex which is about 20-times more stable for [Mn(dota)](2-) than for [Mn(nota)](-) (K(MnLZn) = 68 and 3.6, respectively), and which dissociates very slowly (k(3)～10(-5) M(-1) s(-1)). These data provide the first experimental proof that not all Mn(2+) complexes are kinetically labile. The absence of coordinated water makes both [Mn(nota)](-) and [Mn(dota)](2-) complexes inefficient for MRI applications. Nevertheless, the higher kinetic inertness of [Mn(dota)](2-) indicates a promising direction in designing ligands for Mn(2+) complexation.     

Influence of ion pairing on the oxidation of iodide by MLCT excited states

The oxidation of iodide to diiodide, I(2)˙(-), by the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state of [Ru(deeb)(3)](2+), where deeb is 4,4'-(CO(2)CH(2)CH(3))(2)-2,2'-bipyridine, was quantified in acetonitrile and dichloromethane solution at room temperature. The redox and excited state properties of [Ru(deeb)(3)](2+) were similar in the two solvents; however, the mechanisms for excited state quenching by iodide were found to differ significantly. In acetonitrile, reaction of [Ru(deeb)(3)](2+*) and iodide was dynamic (lifetime quenching) with kinetics that followed the Stern-Volmer model (K(D) = 1.0 ± 0.01 × 10(5) M(-1), k(q) = 4.8 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1)). Excited state reactivity was observed to be the result of reductive quenching that yielded the reduced ruthenium compound, [Ru(deeb(-))(deeb)(2)](+), and the iodine atom, I˙. In dichloromethane, excited state quenching was primarily static (photoluminescence amplitude quenching) and [Ru(deeb(-))(deeb)(2)](+) formed within 10 ns, consistent with the formation of ion pairs in the ground state that react rapidly upon visible light absorption. In both solvents the appearance of I(2)˙(-) could be time resolved. In acetonitrile, the rate constant for I(2)˙(-) growth, 2.2 ± 0.2 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), was found to be about a factor of two slower than the formation of [Ru(deeb(-))(deeb)(2)](+), indicating it was a secondary photoproduct. The delayed appearance of I(2)˙(-) was attributed to the reaction of iodine atoms with iodide. In dichloromethane, the growth of I(2)˙(-), 1.3 ± 0.4 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), was similar to that in acetonitrile, yet resulted from iodine atoms formed within the laser pulse. These results are discussed within the context of solar energy conversion by dye-sensitized solar cells and storage via chemical bond formation.     

Reaction of SO4˙⁻ with an oligomer of poly(sodium styrene sulfonate). Probing the mechanism of damage to fuel cell membranes

Clarification of the mechanism of degradation of model compounds for polymers used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells may identify intermediates that propagate damage; such knowledge can be used to improve the lifetime of fuel cell membranes, a central issue to continued progress in fuel cell technology. In proton-exchange membranes based on poly(styrene sulfonic acid), hydroxycyclohexadienyl radicals are formed after reaction with HO˙ and thought to decay to short-lived radical cations at low pH. To clarify subsequent reactions, we generated radical cations by reaction of SO(4)˙(-) with oligomers of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (MW ≈ 1100 Da). At 295 K, this reaction proceeds with k = (4.5 ± 0.6) × 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), both at pH 2.4 and 3.4, and yields benzyl radicals with an estimated yield of ≤60% relative to [SO(4)˙(-)]. The radical cation is too short-lived to be observed: based on a benzyl radical yield of 60%, a lower limit of k > 6.8 × 10(5) s(-1) for the intramolecular transformation of the aromatic radical cation of the oligomer to a benzyl radical is deduced. Our results show that formation of the benzyl radical, an important precursor in the breakdown of the polymer, is irreversible.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation on the oxidation of gallic acid by sulfate radical anions

By monitoring the decay of SO4*- after flash photolysis of aqueous solutions of S2O82- at different pH values, the kinetics of the reaction of SO4*- radicals with gallic acid and the gallate ion was investigated. The bimolecular rate constants for the reactions of the sulfate radicals with gallic acid and the gallate ion were found to be (6.3 +/- 0.7) x 10(8) and (2.9 +/- 0.2) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. On the basis of the oxygen-independent second-order decay kinetics and on their absorption spectra, the organic radicals formed as intermediates of these reactions were assigned to the corresponding phenoxyl radicals. DFT calculations in the gas phase and aqueous solution support formation of the phenoxyl radicals by H abstraction from the phenols to the sulfate radical anion. The observed recombination of the phenoxyl radicals of gallic acid to yield substituted biphenyls and quinones is also supported by the calculations. HPLC/MS product analysis showed formation of one of the predicted quinones.