First isolation of monomeric N-alkoxyarylaminyl radicals and their chemical and magnetic properties.

The present report describes the first isolation of monomeric N-alkoxyarylaminyls and their chemical and magnetic properties. Reaction of the corresponding lithium amides of 2,4-diaryl-6-tert-butylanilines, 2,6-diaryl-4-tert-butylanilines, or 2,4,6-triarylanilines with tert-butyl peroxybenzoate in THF at -78 degrees C yielded quite persistent N-tert-butoxy-2,4-diaryl-6-tert-butylphenylaminyls (1), N-tert-butoxy-2,6-diaryl-4-tert-butylphenylaminyls (2), and N-tert-butoxy-2,4,6-triarylphenylaminyls (3), respectively, which were isolated in the monomeric form in 17-25% yields. All radicals prepared were oxygen insensitive and thermally very stable. X-ray crystallographic analyses were carried out for two radicals, and it was shown that the N and O atoms are coplanar with the anilino benzene ring. The ESR spectra of 1-3 gave a(N) = 0.984-1.05 and a(H) (anilino meta) = 0.158-0.170 mT (g = 2.0041-2.0043), indicating that the unpaired electron mainly resides on the nitrogen and anilino benzene ring. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1 and 3 showed that one radical revealed a weak ferromagnetic interaction and an analysis by the Curie-Weiss law gave 0.3 K as theta. The other radicals examined showed weak antiferromagnetic interactions and theta's were determined to be -0.3 to -1.5 K.     

Exceptionally Persistent Nitrogen-Centered Free Radicals. Syntheses, ESR Spectra, Isolation, and X-ray Crystallographic Structures of N-(Arylthio)-2-tert-butyl-4,6-diarylphenylaminyl and N-(Arylthio)-4-tert-butyl-2,6-diarylphenylaminyl Radicals(1)

The preparation, ESR spectra, isolation, and X-ray crystallographic structure of N-(arylthio)-2-tert-butyl-4,6-diarylphenylaminyls (1) and N-(arylthio)-4-tert-butyl-2,6-diarylphenylaminyls (2) are described. The aminyls are generated by PbO(2) oxidation of N-(arylthio)-2-tert-butyl-4,6-diarylanilines and N-(arylthio)-4-tert-butyl-2,6-diarylanilines. The kinetic ESR study shows that the aminyls are quite persistent, even in the presence of oxygen, and exist in the individual radical forms. Among the seventeen aminyls prepared, N-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-2-tert-butyl-4,6-diphenylphenylaminyl (1b), N-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-2-tert-butyl-4,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)phenylaminyl (1f), N-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-4-tert-butyl-2,6-diphenylphenylaminyl (2b), N-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)phenylaminyl (2h), and N-[(3,5-dichlorophenyl)thio]-4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)phenylaminyl (2j) are isolated as radical crystals. The crystallographic structures of 1b and 2b are determined by the X-ray crystallographic analyses. Aminyls 1 and 2 give similar ESR spectra consisting of 1:1:1 triplets with the a(N) values of 0.921-0.948 mT. Deuteration of the phenyl groups on the anilino benzene ring gives rise to a further splitting of the nitrogen 1:1:1 triplet by the anilino meta (0.126-0.138) and phenylthiyl ortho and para protons (0.077-0.096 mT). Upon recording at high gain, one of the partly deuterated aminyls gives satellite lines due to (33)S isotopes at natural abundance from which a(33)(S) is determined to be 0.51 mT. The ESR parameters for 1 and 2 are compared with those for structurally close N-(arylthio)-2,4,6-triarylphenylaminyl and N-(arylthio)-2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenylaminyl.     

Magnetic interaction of pyridyl-substituted thioaminyl stable free radicals

N-(2-Pyridylthio)-2,6-diaryl-4-R-phenylaminyls (R = Ph, 4-ClC(6)H(4), MeCO, CN, EtOCO) and N-(4-pyridylthio)-2,6-diaryl-4-R-phenylaminyls (R = Ph, 4-ClC(6)H(4), EtOCO) were prepared and isolated as radical crystals. Their ESR spectra were measured, and the NS and pyridyl nitrogen and anilino meta and pyridyl ortho and para proton hyperfine coupling constants were determined. The spin-density calculations based on the density functional theory were performed by the UBecke 3LYP hybrid method using the STO 6-31G basis set. X-ray crystallographic analyses were performed for three radicals, and their structures were discussed in detail. The magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out for the nine kinds of isolated radicals with a SQUID magnetometer. One radical showed ferromagnetic coupling (2J/k(B) = 44 K), and the others showed antiferromagnetic behavior. The magnetic interactions observed are explained on the basis of the crystal structures.     

Radical Ions in the Pentalene Series. Part. I. 1,3,5-tri-t-butylpentalene

The ESR. spectra of the radical anion and cation of 1, 3, 5-tri-t-butylpentalene (II) have been reexamined under higher resolution. With the assistance of the ENDOR. technique, the coupling constants of all protons in II?. and II?. could be determined. The experimental data agree satisfactorily with the values predicted by the simple MO model which suggests that the π-spin distributions in II?. and II?. should not strongly differ from those in the corresponding radical ions of parent pentalene (I). As in the case of other non-alternant hydrocarbons, the proton coupling constants for II?. are very sensitive to experimental conditions, due to the association of the radical anion with its counterion. Spectra of II?. taken at low temperatures (down to 133 and 163 K for ESR. and ENDOR., respectively) have not revealed specific line-broadening which could arise from the bond shift between the two Kekulé-structures of pentalene.     

Heterocycle-substituted stable thioaminyl radicals: isolation, ESR spectra, and magnetic properties(1)

N-[(2-Benzothiazolyl)thio]- (1), N-[(2-benzoxazolyl)thio]- (2), and N-(2-pyrimidylthio)-2,4,6-trisubstituted-phenylaminyls (3) were generated by oxidation of the corresponding amines. Although 2 and 3 were not sufficiently persistent to be isolated, 1 was very persistent and could be isolated as radical crystals. The ESR spectra of nondeuterated and partially deuterated 1-3 radicals were measured, and the spin density distributions were estimated from the hyperfine coupling constants. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were made for 1 to discuss the spin density distribution in more detail. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis was performed for one radical. Magnetic properties were measured for isolated four radicals with a SQUID. Two radicals showed ferromagnetic interaction, and analyses of chiT vs T plots with the one-dimensional regular Heisenberg model gave 2J/k(B) = 5.8 and 8.6 K. The remaining two radicals showed antiferromagnetic interaction. Analyses of the chiT vs T plots with the Curie-Weiss law or dimer model gave theta = -1.4 K and 2J/k(B) = -1370 K. The strong antiferromagnetic interaction could be explained in terms of the X-ray crystallographic results.     

Intramolecular dynamics of 1,2,3-trifluorobenzene radical anions as studied by OD ESR and quantum-chemical methods

Ab initio UMP2, RMP2, DFT/UB3LYP, and CBS-QB3 calculations have shown that the adiabatic potential energy surface (PES) of the 1,2,3-trifluorobenzene radical anion is a pseudorotation surface formed by nonplanar stationary structures. The low (approximately 2-4 kcal/mol) energy barriers in the path of pseudorotation imply manifestations of spectral exchange in the ESR spectra of this radical anion. The optically detected ESR of radical ion pairs was used to obtain the ESR spectrum of 1,2,3-trifluorobenzene radical anion in liquid squalane solution and to study temperature variations in the spectrum over the range of 243-325 K. The spectrum is a doublet of triplets with hfc constants of a(F(2)) = 29 mT and a(2F(1,3)) = 7.6 mT at T = 243 K. The experimental hfc constants are temperature-dependent. Calculations of the temperature dependence of hfc constants in the framework of the model of classical nuclei motion along the pseudorotation coordinate reproduce well the experimental data.     

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.     

An endor and ESR study of the radical cation of N,N′-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4′-bipyridylium dichloride

The ESR and ENDOR spectra of the radical cation of N,N′-bis-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-4′-bipyridylium dichloride (fluorophenylquat FPQ) in methanol was studied over a temperature range from +_40° to ?90°. The ENDOR technique was used to obtain accurately the splitting constans for a highly complicated ESR spectrum and computer simulation showed excellent agreement. Fluorine ENDOR resonance was clearly observed with a line width similar to that of the protons. On decreasing the temperature the concentration of the radical cation decreases until at ?90° the ESR intensity was very small. This process is reversible and concentration studies indicate that the radical cation is in equilibrium with a diamagnetic dimer species. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH°, ΔG° and ΔS° for the process are reported.     

Probing the N(5)-H bond of the isoalloxazine moiety of flavin radicals by X- and W-band pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance.

An X- (9.7 GHz and W-band (94 GHz) pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) study of the flavin cofactor of Escherichia coli DNA photolyase in its neutral radical form is presented. Through proton and deuteron ENDOR measurements at T = 80 K, we detect and characterize the full anisotropy of the hyperfine coupling (hfc) tensor of the proton or deuteron bound to N(5) of the isoalloxazine ring. Scaling of the anisotropic proton hfc components by multiplication with the quotient of the magnetogyric ratio of a deuteron and a proton, chiD/chiH, reveals subtle differences compared to the respective deuteron couplings obtained by 95-GHz deuterium ENDOR spectroscopy on an H-->D buffer-exchanged sample. These differences can be attributed to the different lengths of N(5)-H and N(5)-D bonds arising from the different masses of protons and deuterons. From the R(-3) dependence of the dipolar hyperfine splitting, we estimated that the N(5)-D bond is about 2.5% shorter than the respective N(5)-H bond. That such subtle bond-length differences can be resolved by pulsed ENDOR spectroscopy suggests that this method may be favorably used to probe the geometry of hydrogen bonds between the H(5) of the paramagnetic flavin and the protein backbone. Such information is only obtained with difficulty by other types of spectroscopy.     

ESR study of free radicals produced from the reaction of o-substituted phenyl methacrylates with tert-butoxy radical

ESR spectra of radicals produced from the reactions of phenyl methacrylate (PMA) and four o-substituted PMAs, 2,4,6-trimethyl-, 2,6-diisopropyl-, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-, and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-PMAs, with tert-butyoxy radical were measured in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran over the temperature range of ?53 to ?15°C. The coupling constants of the β-methylene protons observed varied with the bulkiness of the o-substituents, whereas the p-substitution did not affect the pattern of the spectra. 2,6-Diisopropyl- and 2,4,6-timethyl-PMAs, which can form homopolymers, gave 5- and 13-line spectra, respectively. For the radicals from 2,6-di-tert-butyl- and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-PMAs, the same 8-line spectrum was observed, indicating that the coupling constant of one of the β-methylene protons was too small to detect. Conformations of the radicals were deduced from the coupling constants of the β-methylene protons. Variation of the ESR spectrum according to the bulkiness of the o-substituent was interpreted as a consequence of steric interactions between the polymer chain bound to the β carbon and the substituents, and the α-methyl group.     

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.     

The Radical Anions of [2.2.2.2]Paracyclophane-1,9,17,25-tetraene and Some of its Heteroaromatic Analogues

The radical anions of [2.2.2.2]paracyclophane- 1,9,17,25-tetraene (I), [2] (2, 5)-furano [2]paracyclo [2] (2,5)furano [2]paracyclophane-1,8, 16,23-tetraene (II), [2]-(2,5)thiopheno [2]paracyclo [2] (2,5)thiopheno [2]paracyclophane-1,8,16,23-tetraene (III) and [2.2.2.2](2,5)thiophenophane-1,8,15,22-tetraene (IV) have been studied by ESR. and ENDOR. spectroscopy. The assignment of the proton coupling constants, a_Hμ is to a large extent based on investigations of deuteriated derivatives. These investigations impressively demonstrate the potential of ENDOR. spectroscopy as an analytical tool. The Arrhenius activation energies, E_a, for the rotation of phenylene fragments about the bonds linking them with the ethylenic parts in I ? and II ? are 36±6 and 28±4 kJ/mol, respectively. The value a_Hμ of the olefinic protons in I? appears substantially smaller than expected for the corresponding planar radical anion. The hyperfine data for II ?, III ? and IV ? are consistent with the conformations which should minimize the deviations of the macrocyclic π-systems from planarity. In the case of II ?, tight ion pairs are formed by the radical anion and its counter-ion, K ⊕, in DME , owing to the strong association of the alkali metal cation with one of the furan moieties. An analogous interaction of K ⊕ with a thiophene moiety in III ? must be weaker, since no effects of ion pairing on the ESR. and ENDOR. spectra have been observed for this radical anion.     

Density functional theory study of the beta-carotene radical cation and deprotonated radicals

The beta-carotene radical cation and deprotonated neutral radicals were studied at the density functional theory (DFT) level using different density functionals and basis sets: B3LYP/3-21G, SVWN5/6-31G*, BPW91/DGDZVP2, and B3LYP/6-31G**. The geometries, total energies, spin distributions, and isotropic and anisotropic hyperfine coupling constants of these species were calculated. Deprotonation of the methyl group at the double bond of the cyclohexene ring of the carotenoid radical cation at 5 or 5' produces the most stable neutral radical because of retention of the pi-conjugated system while less stable deprotonation at 9 or 9' and 13 or 13' of the chain methyl groups causes significant distortion of the conjugation. The predicted methyl hyperfine coupling constants of 13-16 MHz of the neutral radicals are in good agreement with the previous electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectrum of photolyzed beta-carotene on a solid support. DFT calculations on the beta-carotene radical cation in a polar water environment showed that the polar environment does not cause significant changes in the proton hyperfine constants from those in the isolated gas-phase molecule. DFT calculated methyl proton hyperfine coupling constants of less than 7.2 MHz are in agreement with those reported for the radical cation in photosystem II (PS II) and those found in the absence of UV light for the radical cation on a silica alumina matrix.     

Aromatic Radical Anions in Neat Aromatic Hydrocarbons as Solvents. Direct evidence of through space spin-density transfer to the ligand of the counter ion

Contact ion pairs of aromatic radical anions, with a crown ether complex of potassium as cation in a neat aromatic hydrocarbon, can be obtained by reducing the aromatic hydrocarbon in which a small amount of crown ether is dissolved. The unpaired electron stays attached to one aromatic molecule during a time interval which is long on the ESR. time scale. The radicals are stabilized by ion-pair formation in the low polarity solvent. As a consequence of this stabilization, radicals of compounds with low electron affinities, e.g. mesitylene, can be prepared. Mesitylene, m-xylene, and toluene show additional hyperfine splitting in the ESR. spectra of their anion radical pairs of the order of 18 μT. The proton ENDOR. spectra have signals at the corresponding frequencies, indicating a hyperfine coupling with protons of the crown ether ligand. Using mixtures of two aromatic compounds, their relative electron affinities can be determined by studying the temperature dependence of the radical concentrations.     

ESR studies of methallyl monomers with redox systems

The effects of three types of free radical initiators (HO·, H₂N·, and H₃C·) from redox systems, have been studied for four types of methallyl monomers, by use of ESR with a flow system. The structure, the relative concentrations, and the steric conformations of the monomer radical intermediates have been derived from the ESR spectra. In the case of H₂N · and HO · addition to methallyl alcohol (MAA), methallyl amine (MAAm), and sodium methallyl sulfonate (SMAS), the ESR spectra of the reacting species are interpreted as monomer head radicals only (H₂N · and HO · are added to the monomer tail). Methallyl acetate (MAAc) with HO ·, is an exception, giving hydrogen abstraction to form an allyl type radical. This reaction may influence the polymerization behavior of MAAc. The methallyl monomers behave differently from the allyl monomers, where appreciable amounts of monomer tail radicals were found in addition to the head radicals which were the main species. For methallyl monomers, this may be due to steric hindrance caused by the two substituents on the α carbon. The CH₃ radicals add only to positively polarized reactive double bonds, i.e., in SMAS in this study, and allyl alcohol in a previous study. The coupling constants of β CH₂ protons vary considerably with the substituents. For β₁ protons, the coupling constants decrease in the order OH > CH₃ > NH₂. For β₂ protons (allyl hydrogen), the coupling constants decrease in the order CH₂OH > CH₂NH₂ > CH₂OCOCH₃Na, i.e., the constants decrease in the order of increased bulkiness of the groups. Some exceptions are interpreted as due to complex formation with Ti⁴⁺. The effects of pH of the reaction medium are largely those expected.     

Direct ESR detection of pentadienyl radicals and peroxyl radicals in lipid peroxidation: mechanistic insight into regioselective oxygenation in lipoxygenases

Well-resolved ESR spectra of free pentadienyl radicals have been observed under photoirradiation of di-tert-butylperoxide (Bu(t)OOBu(t)) and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the absence of O(2), allowing us to determine the hfc values. The hfc values of linoleyl radical indicate that the spin density is the largest at the C-11 position. The linoleyl radical is readily trapped by O(2) to produce the peroxyl radical (11-HPO.) in which O(2) is added mainly at the C-11 position of the pentadienyl radical as indicated by the comparison of the ESR spectra of peroxyl radicals derived from linoleic acid and [11,11-(2)H(2)]linoleic acid. The peroxyl radical (13-HPO.), which is initially formed by the hydrogen abstraction from 13-(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD) by Bu(t)O., is found to isomerize to 11-HPO. via removal of O(2) from 13-HPO. and addition of O(2) to linoleyl radical to produce 11-HPO. . This finding supports an idea of O(2) entering via a specific protein channel, which determines the stereo- and regiochemistry of the biradical combination between O(2) and linoleyl radical in lipoxygenases.     

Isolation and magnetic properties of heterocycle-carrying N-alkoxyarylaminyl radicals

Two N-tert-butoxy-2,6-diaryl-4-(4-pyridyl)phenylaminyls (1) and three N-tert-butoxy-2,6-diaryl-4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenylaminyls (2) were prepared by the reaction of the lithium salts of the corresponding anilines with tert-butyl peroxybenzoate. Although 1 could not be isolated as radical crystals, 2 was successfully obtained as red crystals. The X-ray crystallographic analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed for one isolated radical.     

Identification of primary free radicals in trehalose dihydrate single crystals X-irradiated at 10 K

Primary free radical formation in trehalose dihydrate single crystals X-irradiated at 10 K was investigated at the same temperature using X-band Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) and ENDOR-induced EPR (EIE) techniques. The ENDOR results allowed the unambiguous determination of six proton hyperfine coupling (HFC) tensors. Using the EIE technique, these HF interactions were assigned to three different radicals, labeled R1, R2 and R3. The anisotropy of the EPR and EIE spectra indicated that R1 and R2 are alkyl radicals (i.e. carbon-centered) and R3 is an alkoxy radical (i.e. oxygen-centered). The EPR data also revealed the presence of an additional alkoxy radical species, labeled R4. Molecular modeling using periodic Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for simulating experimental data suggests that R1 and R2 are the hydrogen-abstracted alkyl species centered at C5' and C5, respectively, while the alkoxy radicals R3 and R4 have the unpaired electron localized mainly at O2 and O4'. Interestingly, the DFT study on R4 demonstrates that the trapping of a transferred proton can significantly influence the conformation of a deprotonated cation. Comparison of these results with those obtained from sucrose single crystals X-irradiated at 10 K indicates that the carbon situated next to the ring oxygen and connected to the CH(2)OH hydroxymethyl group is a better radical trapping site than other positions.     

Radical Cations of Tetrazinodi(heteroarenes): An ESR and ENDOR Study

¹⁴N- and ¹H-Coupling constants, determined by ESR, ENDOR, and general-TRIPLE-resonance spectroscopy, are reported for the radical cations of tetrazinodi(heteroarenes) 1–8 . The results comply with the expectation that donor properties of these compounds are mainly due to the electron-rich dihydrotetrazine ring.     

An NMR,ESR, ENDOR and TRIPLE resonance investigation of a cation radical formed from 1,2,4,5-tetramethoxybenzene

Several methods have been established for preparing cation radicals from 1,2,4,5-tetramethoxybenzene that allow highly resolved ESR spectra to be recorded. Precise values of the hyperfine coupling constants for the aromatic and methoxy protons have been obtained; the values are 0.2268±0.0004 and 0.0863±0.0002 mT, respectively, with dichloromethane as solvent. No temperature dependence is evident. TRIPLE resonance experiments showed that both coupling constants have the same sign. NMR experiments provided contact shift and line broadening measurements; these proved that both the above constants are positive and led to a value of 3.1 (±0.3)×10⁸M^?1 s^?1 at 23°C for the rate constant for electron exchange between the cation radical and the parent compound.