Radical Cations and Radical Anions of Three Bridgehead Azopolycycloalkanes: A Fluid-Solution ESR Study

The radical mono-ions of three azoalkanes in which the azo group is connected to the polycyclic alkane moieties at the bridgehead C-atoms, i. e. 1,1′-azonorbornane ( 1 ), 1,1′-azotwistane ( 2 ), and 1,1′-azobi-cyclo[3.2.1]octane ( 3 ), were studied in fluid solution by ESR spectroscopy. According to the ESR parameters and MO models, the radical cations of 1 – 3 should be considered as σ radicals, whereas the corresponding radical anions are π radicals. INDO calculations point to a remarkable dependence of the ^l4N-coupling constants on the geometry at the N-atoms in the radical cations of aliphatic azo compounds.     

Preparation and ESR-Spectroscopical Investigation of Remarkably Persistent Oxoisobenzofuranyl Radicals

The synthesis of the diastereoisomeric 1,1′-diaryl-1,1′-bi(isobenzofuran)-3,3′(1H,1′H)-diones 3a–d starting from the readily available 2-aroylbenzoic acids 1a–d is described (Scheme 1). Of the colourless dimers 3a–d , only the sterically congested 3a and 3b dissociate at ambient temperature in solution to the deep red free 3-oxoisobenzofuran-1-yl radicals 4a and 4b , respectively. The radicals 4a, b are extremely persistent in the absence of O₂. The structures of these radicals are confirmed and the coupling constants assigned by ESR and ENDOR spectroscopy and computer simulation of their ESR spectra. The dissociation equilibrium constant at 20° in toluene for 3a is determined to be 1.18 · 10^?5 M . By studying the steady-state radical concentration as a function of temperature, the enthalpy and entropy changes for the homolytic dissociation of 3a are determined.     

Electron-Transfer-Catalyzed cis → trans Isomerization of 1,1′-Azonorborane. Prototype of a reversible two-stage storage system

ESR and cyclic voltammetry investigations show that isomerization of the radical cation of cis-1,1′-azonorbornane (cis- 1 ) to the trans-radical ion proceeds too fast in solution for direct investigation of the cis-radical ion even at ?78°. The facile isomerization of the radical cation is in agreement with PM 3 calculations proposing an activation barrier of only 17 kJ/mol. As a consequence, quantitative cis → trans isomerization of 1,1′-azonorbornane can effectively be accomplished by addition of catalytic amounts of one-electron oxidants. This is the first evidence for a radical-cation-catalyzed cis → trans isomerization of azo compounds.     

Radical/Cation Transformation Polymerization and Its Application to the Preparation of Block Copolymers

Abstract

ESR study on the primary radicals obtained by decomposition of azo-compounds showed that primary radicals with electron donating substituents were transformed to the corresponding cations in the presence of electron acceptors such as ph₂I⁺PF^? ₆. Accordingly, propagating radicals are transformed to the corresponding cations in the polymerization of p-methoxy-styrene (MOS), n-butyl vinyl ether (BVE), and N-vinylcarbazole (VCZ) with azoinitiators such as AIBN in the presence of electron acceptors such as Ph₂I⁺PF^? ₆. In the case of BVE, the polymer formation was caused by cationic species produced by the transformation of the initiating radical. The polymerizations of MOS and VCZ were ascribed to the transformation of the growing radical to the corresponding cation during the propagation step which was classified as the radical/cation transformation polymerization. Block copolymers of MOS/cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and VCZ/CHO were effectively prepared by the radical/cation transformation polymerization of the appropriate monomers in the presence of AIBN, electron acceptor and CHO. The formation of block copolymers was characterized by turbidimetry, thin-layer chromatography, and solubility tests.     

Radical Anions of Cyclic Azoalkanes: An ESR,ENDOR, and TRIPLE-Resonance Study

Radical anions often monocyclic and bicyclic azoalkanes containing the azo group in (Z)-conformation, have been fully characterized by their hyperfine data with the use of ESR, ENDOR, and general-TRIPLE-resonance spectroscopy. These azoalkanes are represented by 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrazoline ( 1 ), 2,3-diaza-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 4 ), and 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene ( 9 ), as well as by their derivatives 2 , 3 , 5 – 8 , and 10 . For all radical anions 1 ″– 10 ″, the ¹⁴N-coupling constant, a_N, is in the range of +0. 83 to +0. 97 mT; this finding indicates that the spin population is essentially restricted to the π system of the azo group. The ¹⁴N-hyperfine anisotropy largely affects the width of ESR lines, particularly at low temperatures. Substantial coupling constants of ⁷Li-, ²³Na-, ³⁹K-, and ¹³³Cs-nuclei point to a close association of the radical anions with their alkali-metal counterions. With the exception of ³⁹K, these nuclei give rise to readily observable ENDOR signals which appear along with those stemming from protons. The prominent hyperfine features of 1 ″– 10 ″ are discussed.     

Structure-reactivity relationships in reactions of alkane radical cations: Study of the proton transfer from alkane radical cations to alkane molecules in γ-irradiated disordered CCl3F/alkane systems by ESR spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures

A summary is presented of ESR results obtained in γ-irradiated disordered CCl₃F/alkane systems at cryogenic temperatures, with respect to proton-donor site selectivity in the proton transfer from alkane radical cations to alkane molecules. The nature of the alkyl radicals formed by proton transfer is indicative for the site of proton donation and is derived unambiguously from ESR results by comparison with powder spectra of authentic isomeric alkyl radicals, obtained by γ-irradiation of various chloro and bromoalkanes in perdeuterated cis-decalin. The experiments can be divided into two main classes. (i) Experiments on n-alkane radical cations in the extended all-trans conformation, i.e. ESR results on the system CCl₃F/heptane. The ESR spectrum of γ-irradiated CCl₃F/heptane consists of a triplet due to heptane radical cations in the extended all-trans conformation. In this conformation, the unpaired electron is delocalized over the carbon-carbon σ-bonds as well as the two chain-end carbon-hydrogen bonds that are in the plane of the C---C skeleton. Superimposed on the ESR triplet is a low-intensity spectrum due to heptyl radicals, which increases drastically with increasing heptane concentration. The formation of these heptyl radicals can be attributed unambiguously to proton transfer from heptane radical cations to heptane molecules, taking place in small heptane clusters to which positive-hole transfer still occurs efficiently. At the onset of proton transfer with increasing heptane concentration only primary heptyl radicals are present, clearly showing that the proton transfer takes place selectively from a chain-end position, in accordance with the electronic structure of the reacting radical cations. At higher heptane concentration secondary heptyl radicals also appear as a result of intermolecular radical-site transfer, i.e. the nature of the heptyl radicals becomes governed by their thermodynamic stability. (ii) Experiments on n-alkane radical cations in the gauche-at-C₂ conformation, i.e. ESR results on the system CCl₃F/octane. The ESR spectrum of γ-irradiated CCl₃F/octane indicates that octane radical cations are largely in the gauche-at-C₂ conformation in this matrix, with large unpaired-electron (and positive-hole) density on one planar chain-end C---H bond and one planar penultimate C---H bond at the other side of the radical cation. Careful investigation of ESR spectra with increasing octane concentration clearly reveals that in this case secondary octyl radicals are present from the very onset of proton transfer, in accordance with the electronic structure of the reacting radical cations. The results clearly point to proton-donor site selectivity in the proton transfer from alkane radical cations to alkane molecules and to a strict dependence of the site of proton donation on the electronic structure and conformation of the reacting radical cations.     

Studying the Fundamentals of Radical Polymerization Using ESR in Combination with Controlled Radical Polymerization Methods

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy can contribute to understanding both the kinetics and mechanism of radical polymerizations. A series of oligo/poly(meth)acrylates were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and purified to provide well defined radical precursors. Model radicals, with given chain lengths, were generated by reaction of the terminal halogens with an organotin compound and the radicals were observed by ESR spectroscopy. This combination of ESR with ATRPs ability to prepare well defined radical precursors provided significant new information on the properties of radicals in radical polymerizations. ESR spectra of the model radicals generated from tert-butyl methacrylate precursors, with various chain lengths, showed clear chain length dependent changes and a possibility of differentiating between the chain lengths of observed propagating radicals by ESR. The ESR spectrum of each dimeric, trimeric, tetrameric, and pentameric tert-butyl acrylate model radicals, observed at various temperatures, provided clear experimental evidence of a 1,5-hydrogen shift.     

The Radical Anion of 2,7-Diazapyrene,a Change in Orbital Sequence on Protonation

ESR.-spectra are reported for the radical anion I · Θ of 2,7-diazapyrene (I), along with those for the radical cations I(2H) · ⊕ and I(2 CH₃) · ⊕ of 2,7-dihydro-2,7-diazapyrene and its 2,7-dimethyl-derivative, respectively. In contrast to the analogous radical ions of 4,4′-bipyridyl (II) and other previously studied diazaaromatic compounds, there is a striking change in the ¹⁴N and proton coupling constants on going from the radical anion I · Θ to the radical cations I(2H) · ⊕ and I(2 CH₃) · ⊕. This change can be rationalized in terms of the HMO model of the pyrene π-system. A reversal in the energy sequence of the lowest antibonding orbitals is predicted upon an increase in the absolute value of the Coulomb integral for the azasubstituted π-centres, such an increase simulating the enhanced electronegativity of the azanitrogen atoms 2 and 7 on protonation.     

Radical grafting from glass fiber surface: Graft polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface

This paper describes the radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers from glass fiber surface initiated by alkylazo groups introduced onto the fiber surface. The introduction of azo groups onto the glass fiber surface was achieved by reaction of isocyanate groups which were previously attached onto the surface with two kinds of azo initiators, 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ACPA) and 2,2′-azobis(2-cyanopropanol) (ACP). The amounts of surface azo groups introduced by ACPA and ACP were both determined to be 1.3 × 10⁻⁵ mol g⁻¹ by nitrogen analysis. The radical graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was found to be initiated in the presence of the glass fiber having surface azo groups. During the polymerization, part of resultant poly(MMA) grafted onto the fiber surface through propagation of the polymer from the surface radicals produced by the decomposition of the azo groups. The percentage of grafting of poly(MMA) reached 48.1% after 24 h. The graft polymerizations of other monomers, such as styrene, N-vinylcarbazole, and acrylic acid, were also initiated by the surface azo groups, and the corresponding polymer effectively grafted onto the surface. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2121–2128, 1999     

Molecular System Based on Novel Photochromic Biindenylidenedione Derivative Demonstrating Photomodulation of Magnetism

Stable nitronyl nitroxide radical and imino nitroxide radical were incorporated into the benzene rings of novel photochromic 7,7′‐dimethyl‐[2,2′‐bi‐1H‐indene]‐3,3′‐diethyl‐3,3′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐dione ( 1 ), leading to the synthesis of novel multifunctional compounds 4 and 5 . The photochromic properties, ESR spectroscopy and magnetic properties of the title compounds were investigated. Compounds 4 and 5 possess visible photochromism upon photoirradiation, and their ESR signals undergo secular broadening after photoirradiation. The magnetic susceptibility measurement shows that the antiferromagnetic interaction of 4 and 5 becomes stronger after photoirradiation. In compounds 4 and 5 there are two kinds of spin centers after photoirradiation: one is nitroxide radical, and the other is photo‐generated radicals from two indanone moieties. Our results demonstrated that the colour and magnetic properties of compounds 4 and 5 could be modulated by photoirradiation.     

Formation of Dimer Radical Cations of Selenourea on Oxidation: Pulse Radiolysis Studies

Abstract

Reactions of oxidizing radicals like hydroxyl (·OH) radical, specific electron transfer agents like N ₃ ·, and I ₂ ^?. radicals were studied with selenourea (SeU) and compared with thiourea (ThU) using pulse radiolysis technique in microsecond time scales. Both the compounds efficiently react with ·OH radicals, however, SeU undergoes easier oxidation by secondary oxidants as compared to ThU. The results were supported by cyclic voltammetry studies. The radical cations of both SeU and ThU formed on oxidation undergo dimerization with the parent molecule to form two-centered three-electron-hemi bonded radical cations absorbing at 410 and 400 nm respectively with the stabilization energies of 21.1 and 20.5 kcal/mol for SeU and ThU, respectively. Preliminary studies indicated that at low concentration of SeU, the dimerization is prevented and the oxidation reaction produced metallic Se nanoparticles.     

Intermediacy of Proton-Bound Dimers and Ion/Dipole Complexes in the Unimolecular Decompositions of Dialkyl-Peroxide Radical Cations: Evidence for a coupled proton and hydrogen-atom transfer

The unimolecular fragmentation reactions of the radical cations of diethyl, diisopropyl, dipropyl, isopropyl propyl, and di(tert-butyl) peroxide have been investigated by mass spectrometric and isotopic labeling techniques. Two competing pathways for unimolecular decomposition in the μs time regime (metastable ions) are observed: i) A combination of an α-C? C bond cleavage and a H migration gives rise to proton-bound dimers of two ketone or aldehyde molecules. ii) Ion/dipole complexes of alkyl cations and alkylperoxy radicals are generated by C–O bond cleavage. These complexes either exhibit direct losses of alkylperoxy radicals, or they rearrange via a coupled proton and H-atom transfer, this sequence of unprecedented isomerizations is completed by losses of alkyl radicals. Collisional activation experiments confirm that the ionic products of the latter process correspond to RR′C?OOH⁺; these ions can be regarded as protonated carbonyl oxides. In addition, we observe the elimination of alkenes leading to hydroperoxide radical cations and the expulsion of HO radicals. The latter process implies a C? C bond formation step between the two alkyl fragments leading to higher alkyl cations.     

Absolute Rate Constants for the Addition of the 1‐(tert‐Butoxy)carbonylethyl Radical to Alkenes in Solution

Absolute rate constants and some of their Arrhenius parameters are reported for the addition of the 1‐[(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]ethyl radical (MeC . HCO₂Me₃) to several mono‐ or 1,1‐disubstituted alkenes in acetonitrile as obtained by time‐resolved electron spin resonance spectroscopy. At 295 K, the rate constants range from 470 M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ (but‐1‐ene) to 2.4⋅10⁵ M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ (1,1‐diphenylethene), the experimental activation energies range from 26.8 kJ/mol (but‐1‐ene) to 14.7 kJ/mol (styrene), and the frequency factors obey on the average log (A/M ⁻¹ s⁻¹)=7.9±0.5. The rate constants of the secondary 1‐[(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]ethyl radical are close to the geometric mean of those of the related primary [(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]methyl and the tertiary 2‐(methoxycarbonyl)propan‐2‐yl radicals. The activation energies for addition of these three carboxy‐substituted alkyl radicals are mainly governed by the addition enthalpy but are also substantially lowered by ambiphilic polar effects. The results support a previously derived predictive analysis, and relations to rate constants of acrylate polymerizations are discussed.     

Radical polymerization behavior of ethyl ortho-formylphenyl fumarate involving intramolecular hydrogen abstraction

The radical polymerization behavior of ethyl ortho-formyl-phenyl fumarate (EFPF) using dimethyl 2,2′-azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) as initiator was studied in benzene kinetically and ESR spectroscopically. The polymerization rate (R_p) at 60°C was given by R_p = k[MAIB]^0.76[EFPF]^0.56. The number-average molecular weight of poly(EFPF) was in the range of 1600–2900. EFPF was also easily photopolymerized at room temperature without any photosensitizer probably because of the photosensitivity of the formyl group of monomer. Analysis of ¹H? and ¹³C-NMR spectra of the resulting polymer revealed that the radical polymerization of EFPF proceeds in a complicated manner involving vinyl addition and intramolecular hydrogen-abstraction. The polymerization system was found to involve ESR-observable poly(EFPF) radicals under the actual polymerization conditions. ESR-determined rate constant (2.4–4.0 L/mol s) of propagation at 60°C increased with decreasing monomer concentration, which is mainly responsible for the observed low de-pendency of R_p on the EFPF concentration. Copolymerizations of EFPF with some vinyl monomers were also examined. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Degradation processes in the cellulose/<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylmorpholine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxide system studied by HPLC and ESR. Radical formation/recombination kinetics under UV photolysis at 77 K

Degradation processes of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMO), cellulose and cellulose/NMMO solutions were studied by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Kinetics of radical accumulation processes under UV (λ = 248 nm) excimer laser flash photolysis was investigated by ESR at 77 K. Beside radical products of cellulose generated and stabilized at low temperature, radicals in NMMO and cellulose/NMMO solutions were studied for the first time in those systems and attributed to nitroxide type radicals ∼CH₂–NO^•–CH₂∼ and/or ∼CH₂–NO^•–CH₃∼ at the first and methyl ^•CH₃ and formyl ^•CHO radicals at the second step of the photo-induced reaction. Kinetic study of radicals revealed that formation and recombination rates of radical reaction depend on cellulose concentration in cellulose/NMMO solutions and additional ingredients, e.g., Fe(II) and propyl gallate. HPLC measurements showed that the concentrations of ring degradation products, e.g., aminoethanol and acetaldehyde, are determined by the composition of the cellulose/NMMO solution. Results based on HPLC are mainly maintained by ESR that supports the assumption concerning a radical initiated ring-opening of NMMO.     

Long-lived polymer radicals. VIII. Easy formation of long-lived propagating radicals of vinyl monomers at room temperature

Poly[acryloyl-L-valine (ALV)] microspheres containing peroxy ester groups were prepared by radical copolymerization of ALV with a small amount of di-tert-butyl peroxyfumarate. When the microspheres were irradiated in the presence of second vinyl monomers, long-lived propagating radicals of the second monomers were formed in the microspheres by the reaction of microsphere polymer radicals with the monomers. The presence of a minute quantity of ethyl alcohol served to soften the microspheres and made the polymer radicals more mobile in the microspheres. As a result, sharper ESR spectra of the propagating radicals were observed although their lifetimes became shorter. This microsphere method also yielded easily the stable propagating radicals of a-methylstyrene and 1,1-diphenylethylene which have no homopolymerizability in usual radical polymerization. When N-n-propyldimethacroylamide and N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dimethacroylhydrazine, which undergo cyclopolymerization, were used as second monomer, uncyclized polymer radicals were only observed. Some discussions were given on the propagation mechanism of the cyclopolymerization.     

The Radical Cations and the Radical Anions of Some Weitz-Type S-Donors

The radical cations and the radical anions of 1,6-dithiapyrene ( 1 ) and 3,10-dithiaperylene ( 2 ) as well as those of three further Weitz-type S-donors 3 , 4 , and 5 have been studied by ESR spectroscopy. The experimental findings for (widths and behaviour on saturation of hyperfine lines) suggest that the ground state of this radical anion is effectively degenerate. With the exception of , the ESR studies of all radical ions could be complemented by the use of the ENDOR and general TRIPLE resonance techniques. In addition to proton hyperfine data, ³³S coupling constants have been determined for (0.53mT), (0.46mT), and (0.34mT); they are in agreement with the predicted substantial π-spin populations at the S-atoms.     

The Radical Anions of N,N′-Dicyanoquinone Diimines,a New Class of Electron Acceptors

The radical anions of 12 N,N′-dicyanoquinone diimines, a new class of electron acceptors, hace been characterized by their hyperfine data with the use of ESR and ENDOR spectroscopy. The largest coupling constant (0.30–0.45 mT), due to the two ¹⁴N nuclei in the exocyclic positions, gives rise to a conspicuous broadening of the peripheral ESR lines by an incomplete averaging of the hyperfine anisotropy. The most plausible interpretation of the experimental results for the radical anions of N,N′-dicyano- 1,4-benzoquinone diimine ( 1 ) and N,N′-Dicyano-9,10-anthraquinone diimine ( 9 ) is in terms of both ‘syn’- and ‘anti’-configurations contributing to the ESR and ENDOR spectra and having equal proton- and ¹⁴N-coupling constants. The π-spin distribution in the radical anions of N,N′-dicyanoquinone diimines is compared with those in the analogous ions of tetracyanoquinodimethanes and quinones.     

Fragmentation of Singly,Doubly, and Triply Charged Hydrogen Deficient Peptide Radical Cations in Infrared Multiphoton Dissociation and Electron Induced Dissociation

Gas phase fragmentation of hydrogen deficient peptide radical cations continues to be an active area of research. While collision induced dissociation (CID) of singly charged species is widely examined, dissociation channels of singly and multiply charged radical cations in infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) and electron induced dissociation (EID) have not been, so far, investigated. Here, we report on the gas phase dissociation of singly, doubly and triply charged hydrogen deficient peptide radicals, [M + nH]^(n+1)+· (n = 0, 1, 2), in MS³ IRMPD and EID and compare the observed fragmentation pathways to those obtained in MS³ CID. Backbone fragmentation in MS³ IRMPD and EID was highly dependent on the charge state of the radical precursor ions, whereas amino acid side chain cleavages were largely independent of the charge state selected for fragmentation. Cleavages at aromatic amino acids, either through side chain loss or backbone fragmentation, were significantly enhanced over other dissociation channels. For singly charged species, the MS³ IRMPD and EID spectra were mainly governed by radical-driven dissociation. Fragmentation of doubly and triply charged radical cations proceeded through both radical- and charge-driven processes, resulting in the formation of a wide range of backbone product ions including, a-, b-, c-, y-, x-, and z-type. While similarities existed between MS³ CID, IRMPD, and EID of the same species, several backbone product ions and side chain losses were unique for each activation method. Furthermore, dominant dissociation pathways in each spectrum were dependent on ion activation method, amino acid composition, and charge state selected for fragmentation.     

The Radical Cation of Cyclobutene and its Photoproduct. Preliminary communication

The hitherto unknown radical cation of cyclobutene ( 2 ) has been generated in a CFCl₃ matrix by γ rays at 77 K. The coupling constants, as determined from the ESR spectrum of 2 ⁺, are 2.80 and 1.11 mT for the four CH₂ and the two CH = protons, respectively. Photo-induced ring opening of 2 ⁺ yields a radical cation which exhibits the same ESR and ENDOR spectra as those observed upon direct ionization of s-trans-buta-1, 3-diene (s-trans -1 ). The radical cation s-trans -1 ⁺, should, therefore, be the final product of this conversion.