Reversible intramolecular hydrogen transfer between cysteine thiyl radicals and glycine and alanine in model peptides: absolute rate constants derived from pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis

The intramolecular reaction of cysteine thiyl radicals with peptide and protein alphaC-H bonds represents a potential mechanism for irreversible protein oxidation. Here, we have measured absolute rate constants for these reversible hydrogen transfer reactions by means of pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis of model peptides. For N-Ac-CysGly6 and N-Ac-CysGly2AspGly3, Cys thiyl radicals abstract hydrogen atoms from Gly with k(f) = (1.0-1.1 x 10(5) s(-1), generating carbon-centered radicals, while the reverse reaction proceeds with k(r) = (8.0-8.9) x 10(5) s(-1). The forward reaction shows a normal kinetic isotope effect of k(H)/k(D) = 6.9, while the reverse reaction shows a significantly higher normal kinetic isotope effect of 17.6, suggesting a contribution of tunneling. For N-Ac-CysAla2AspAla3, cysteine thiyl radicals abstract hydrogen atoms from Ala with k(f) = (0.9-1.0) x 10(4) s(-1), while the reverse reaction proceeds with k(r) = 1.0 x 10(5) s(-1). The order of reactivity, Gly > Ala, is in accord with previous studies on intermolecular reactions of thiyl radicals with these amino acids. The fact that k(f) < k(r) suggests some secondary structure of the model peptides, which prevents the adoption of extended conformations, for which calculations of homolytic bond dissociation energies would have predicted k(f) > k(r). Despite k(f) < k(r), model calculations show that intramolecular hydrogen abstraction by Cys thiyl radicals can lead to significant oxidation of other amino acids in the presence of physiologic oxygen concentrations.     

Fenton chemistry of 1,3-dimethyluracil

Hydroxyl radicals were generated in the Fenton reaction at pH 4 (Fe(2+) + H(2)O(2) --> Fe(3+) + .OH + OH-, k approximately equal to 60 L mol(-1) s(-1)) and by pulse radiolysis (for the determination of kinetic data). They react rapidly with 1,3-dimethyluracil, 1,3-DMU (k = 6 x 10(9) L mol(-1) s(-1)). With H(2)O(2) in excess and in the absence of O(2), 1,3-DMU consumption is 3.3 mol per mol Fe(2+). 1,3-DMUglycol is the major product (2.95 mol per mol Fe(2+)). Dimers, prominent products of .OH-induced reactions in the absence of Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) (Al-Sheikhly, M.; von Sonntag, C. Z. Naturforsch. 1983, 31b, 1622) are not formed. Addition of .OH to the C(5)-C(6) double bond of 1,3-DMU yields reducing C(6)-yl 1 and oxidizing C(5)-yl radicals 2 in a 4:1 ratio. The yield of reducing radicals was determined with tetranitromethane by following the buildup of nitroform anion. Reaction of 1 with Fe(3+) that builds up during the reaction or with H(2)O(2) gives rise to a short-chain reaction that is terminated by the reaction of Fe(2+) with 2, which re-forms 1,3-DMU. In the presence of O(2), 1.1 mol of 1,3-DMU and 0.6 mol of O(2) are consumed per mol Fe(2+) while 0.16 mol of 1,3-DMU-glycol and 0.17 mol of organic hydroperoxides (besides further unidentified products) are formed. In the presence of O(2), 1 and 2 are rapidly converted into the corresponding peroxyl radicals (k = 9.1 x 10(8) L mol(-1) s(-1)). Their bimolecular decay (2k = 1.1 x 10(9) L mol(-1) s(-1)) yields approximately 22% HO(2)./O(2).(-) in the course of fragmentation reactions involving the C(5)-C(6) bond. Reduction of Fe(3+) by O(2).(-) leads to an increase in .OH production that is partially offset by a consumption of Fe(2+) in its reaction with the peroxyl radicals (formation of organic hydroperoxides, k approximately 3 x 10(5) L mol(-1) s(-1); value derived by computer simulation).     

Repair reactions of pyrimidine-derived radicals by aliphatic thiols

Pyrimidinyl radicals of various structures (Pyr*) were generated in aqueous and alcohol-containing solutions by means of pulse radiolysis to determine the rate constants of their repair reactions by different thiols (RSH = cysteamine, 2-mercaptoethanol, cysteine, and penicillamine): Pyr* + RSH --> PyrH + RS*. C5-OH and C6-OH adduct radicals of the pyrimidines react with thiols with k9 = (1.2-10.0) x 10(6) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1). Similar repair rate constants were found for uracil- and thymine-derived N1-centered radicals, k31 = (1.5-6.1) x 10(6) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1). However, pyrimidine radical anions protonated at their C6 position and C6-uracilyl radicals, with carbonyl groups at their C5 position, react with thiols faster, with k24 = (0.5-7.6) x 10(7) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1) and k14 = (1.4-4.8) x 10(7) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1), respectively. Quantum chemical calculations, at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and self-consistent reaction field polarizable continuum model level point to the combined effects of the energy gap between interacting molecular orbitals, charge distribution within different pyrimidine-derived radicals, and the coefficients of the atomic orbitals as the possible reasons for the differences in the rate constants of repair.     

Atmospheric chemistry of CF3CH=CH2 and C4F9CH=CH2: products of the gas-phase reactions with Cl atoms and OH radicals

FTIR-smog chamber techniques were used to study the products of the Cl atom and OH radical initiated oxidation of CF3CH=CH2 in 700 Torr of N2/O2, diluent at 296 K. The Cl atom initiated oxidation of CF3CH=CH2 in 700 Torr of air in the absence of NOx gives CF3C(O)CH2Cl and CF3CHO in yields of 70+/-5% and 6.2+/-0.5%, respectively. Reaction with Cl atoms proceeds via addition to the >C=C< double bond (74+/-4% to the terminal and 26+/-4% to the central carbon atom) and leads to the formation of CF3CH(O)CH2Cl and CF3CHClCH2O radicals. Reaction with O2 and decomposition via C-C bond scission are competing loss mechanisms for CF3CH(O)CH2Cl radicals, kO2/kdiss=(3.8+/-1.8)x10(-18) cm3 molecule-1. The atmospheric fate of CF3CHClCH2O radicals is reaction with O2 to give CF3CHClCHO. The OH radical initiated oxidation of CxF2x+1CH=CH2 (x=1 and 4) in 700 Torr of air in the presence of NOx gives CxF2x+1CHO in a yield of 88+/-9%. Reaction with OH radicals proceeds via addition to the >C=C< double bond leading to the formation of CxF2x+1C(O)HCH2OH and CxF2x+1CHOHCH2O radicals. Decomposition via C-C bond scission is the sole fate of CxF2x+1CH(O)CH2OH and CxF2x+1CH(OH)CH2O radicals. As part of this work a rate constant of k(Cl+CF3C(O)CH2Cl)=(5.63+/-0.66)x10(-14) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 was determined. The results are discussed with respect to previous literature data and the possibility that the atmospheric oxidation of CxF2x+1CH=CH2 contributes to the observed burden of perfluorocarboxylic acids, CxF2x+1COOH, in remote locations.     

H atom yields from the reactions of CN radicals with C2H2, C2H4, C3H6, trans-2-C4H8, and iso-C4H8

The kinetics and H atom channel yield at both 298 and 195 K have been determined for reactions of CN radicals with C2H2 (1.00+/-0.21, 0.97+/-0.20), C2H4 (0.96+/-0.032, 1.04+/-0.042), C3H6 (pressure dependent), iso-C4H8 (pressure dependent), and trans-2-C4H8 (0.039+/-0.019, 0.029+/-0.047) where the first figure in each bracket is the H atom yield at 298 K and the second is that at 195 K. The kinetics of all reactions were studied by monitoring both CN decay and H atom growth by laser-induced fluorescence at 357.7 and 121.6 nm, respectively. The results are in good agreement with previous studies where available. The rate coefficients for the reaction of CN with trans-2-butene and iso-butene have been measured at 298 and 195 K for the first time, and the rate coefficients are as follows: k298K=(2.93+/-0.23)x10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), k195K=(3.58+/-0.43)x10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) and k298K=(3.17+/-0.10)x10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), k195K=(4.32+/-0.35)x10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively, where the errors represent a combination of statistical uncertainty (2sigma) and an estimate of possible systematic errors. A potential energy surface for the CN+C3H6 reaction has been constructed using G3X//UB3LYP electronic structure calculations identifying a number of reaction channels leading to either H, CH3, or HCN elimination following the formation of initial addition complexes. Results from the potential energy surface calculations have been used to run master equation calculations with the ratio of primary:secondary addition, the average amount of downward energy transferred in a collision DeltaEd, and the difference in barrier heights between H atom elimination and an H atom 1, 2 migration as variable parameters. Excellent agreement is obtained with the experimental 298 K H atom yields with the following parameter values: secondary addition complex formation equal to 80%, DeltaEd=145 cm(-1), and the barrier height for H atom elimination set 5 kJ mol(-1) lower than the barrier for migration. Finally, very low temperature master equation simulations using the best fit parameters have been carried out in an increased precision environment utilizing quad-double and double-double arithmetic to predict H and CH3 yields for the CN+C3H6 reaction at temperatures and pressures relevant to Titan. The H and CH3 yields predicted by the master equation have been parametrized in a simple equation for use in modeling.     

Mechanism of reversible alkyne coupling at zirconocene: ancillary ligand effects

The mechanism of reversible alkyne coupling at zirconium was investigated by examination of the kinetics of zirconacyclopentadiene cleavage to produce free alkynes. The zirconacyclopentadiene rings studied possess trimethylsilyl substituents in the alpha-positions, and the ancillary Cp2, Me2C(eta(5)-C5H4)2, and CpCp* (Cp* = eta(5)-C5Me5) bis(cyclopentadienyl) ligand sets were employed. Fragmentation of the zirconacyclopentadiene ring in Cp2Zr[2,5-(Me3Si)2-3,4-Ph2C4] with PMe3, to produce Cp2Zr(eta(2)-PhC[triple bond]CSiMe3)(PMe3) and free PhC[triple bond]CSiMe3, is first-order in initial zirconacycle concentration and zero-order in incoming phosphine (k(obs) = 1.4(2) x 10(-5) s(-1) at 22 degrees C), and the activation parameters determined by an Eyring analysis (DeltaH(double dagger) = 28(2) kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = 14(4) eu) are consistent with a dissociative mechanism. The analogous reaction of the ansa-bridged complex Me2C(eta(5)-C5H4)2Zr[2,5-(Me3Si)2-3,4-Ph2C4] is 100 times faster than that for the corresponding Cp2 complex, while the corresponding CpCp* complex reacts 20 times slower than the Cp2 derivative. These rates appear to be largely influenced by the steric properties of the ancillary ligands.     

Catalytic double-bond metathesis without the transition metal

Iminophosphoranes of the type X(3)P=NR (X = Cl, pyrrolyl; R = alkyl, aryl) catalytically metathesize C=N bonds of carbodiimides via an addition/elimination mechanism that, despite the lack of d orbital participation in P-N bonding, conserves the key features of metal-catalyzed olefin metathesis. Diazaphosphetidine intermediates, produced by the formal [2 + 2] addition of carbodiimides to the P=N bond, have been isolated and characterized. All phosphorus-containing species in the complex catalytic reaction mixtures have been identified and their origins explained. The kinetics of addition of diisopropylcarbodiimide to Cl(3)P=NPr(i)() and subsequent elimination were studied, and rate constants were determined: k(add) = 1.7 x 10(-3) (+/-0.1 x 10(-3)) M s(-1) and k(elim) = 4.0 x 10(-4) (+/-0.3 x 10(-4)) s(-1). The rate of these reactions corresponds well with the observed catalytic TOF of 1.44 TO/P/h.     

Thiyl radicals abstract hydrogen atoms from the (alpha)C-H bonds in model peptides: absolute rate constants and effect of amino acid structure

Thiyl radicals are important intermediates in biological oxidative stress and enzymatic reactions, for example, the ribonucleotide reductases. On the basis of the homolytic bond dissociation energies (BDEs) only, the (alpha)C-H bonds of peptides and proteins would present suitable targets for hydrogen abstraction by thiyl radicals. However, additional parameters such as polar and conformational effects may control such hydrogen-transfer processes. To evaluate the potential of thiyl radicals for hydrogen abstraction from (alpha)C-H bonds, we provide the first absolute rate constants for these reactions with model peptides. Thiyl radicals react with (alpha)C-H bonds with rate constants between 1.7 x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) (N-acetylproline amide) and 4 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) (sarcosine anhydride). However, the correlation of rate constants with BDEs is poor. Rather, these reactions may be controlled by conformation and dynamic flexibility around the (alpha)C-H bonds.     

Studies of the kinetics and thermochemistry of the forward and reverse reaction Cl + C6H6 = HCl + C6H5

The laser flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique was used to monitor atomic Cl kinetics. Loss of Cl following photolysis of CCl4 and NaCl was used to determine k(Cl + C6H6) = 6.4 x 10(-12) exp(-18.1 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 578-922 K and k(Cl + C6D6) = 6.2 x 10(-12) exp(-22.8 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 635-922 K. Inclusion of literature data at room temperature leads to a recommendation of k(Cl + C6H6) = 6.1 x 10(-11) exp(-31.6 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for 296-922 K. Monitoring growth of Cl during the reaction of phenyl with HCl led to k(C6H5 + HCl) = 1.14 x 10(-12) exp(+5.2 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 294-748 K, k(C6H5 + DCl) = 7.7 x 10(-13) exp(+4.9 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 292-546 K, an approximate k(C6H5 + C6H5I) = 2 x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 300-750 K, and an upper limit k(Cl + C6H5I) < or = 5.3 x 10(-12) exp(+2.8 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 300-750 K. Confidence limits are discussed in the text. Third-law analysis of the equilibrium constant yields the bond dissociation enthalpy D(298)(C6H5-H) = 472.1 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1) and thus the enthalpy of formation Delta(f)H(298)(C6H5) = 337.0 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1).     

Probing the ruthenium-cumulene bonding interaction: synthesis and spectroscopic studies of vinylidene- and allenylidene-ruthenium complexes supported by tetradentate macrocyclic tertiary amine and comparisons with diphosphine analogues of ruthenium and osmium

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of trans-[Cl(16-TMC)Ru[double bond]C[double bond]CHR]PF(6) (16-TMC = 1,5,9,13-tetramethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadecane, R = C(6)H(4)X-4, X = H (1), Cl (2), Me (3), OMe (4); R = CHPh(2) (5)), trans-[Cl(16-TMC)Ru[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(C(6)H(4)X-4)(2)]PF(6) (X = H (6), Cl (7), Me (8), OMe (9)), and trans-[Cl(dppm)(2)M[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(C(6)H(4)X-4)(2)]PF(6) (M = Ru, X = H (10), Cl (11), Me (12); M = Os, X = H (13), Cl (14), Me (15)) are described. The crystal structures of 1, 5, 6, and 8 show that the Ru-C(alpha) and C(alpha)-C(beta) distances of the allenylidene complexes fall between those of the vinylidene and acetylide relatives. Two reversible redox couples are observed by cyclic voltammetry for 6-9, with E(1/2) values ranging from -1.19 to -1.42 and 0.49 to 0.70 V vs Cp(2)Fe(+/0), and they are both 0.2-0.3 and 0.1-0.2 V more reducing than those for 10-12 and 13-15, respectively. The UV-vis spectra of the vinylidene complexes 1-4 are dominated by intense high-energy bands at lambda(max) < or = 310 nm (epsilon(max) > or = 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1)), while weak absorptions at lambda(max) > or = 400 nm (epsilon(max) < or = 10(2) dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1)) are tentatively assigned to d-d transitions. The resonance Raman spectrum of 5 contains a nominal nu(C[double bond]C) stretch mode of the vinylidene ligand at 1629 cm(-1). The electronic absorption spectra of the allenylidene complexes 6-9 exhibit an intense absorption at lambda(max) = 479-513 nm (epsilon(max) = (2-3) x 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1)). Similar electronic absorption bands have been found for 10-12, but the lowest energy dipole-allowed transition is blue-shifted by 1530-1830 cm(-1) for the Os analogues 13-15. Ab initio calculations have been performed on the ground state of trans-[Cl(NH(3))(4)Ru[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](+) at the MP2 level, and imply that the HOMO is not localized purely on the metal center or allenylidene ligand. The absorption band of 6 at lambda(max) = 479 nm has been probed by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Simulations of the absorption band and the resonance Raman intensities show that the nominal nu(C[double bond]C[double bond]C) stretch mode accounts for ca. 50% of the total vibrational reorganization energy, indicating that this absorption band is strongly coupled to the allenylidene moiety. The excited-state reorganization of the allenylidene ligand is accompanied by rearrangement of the Ru[double bond]C and Ru[bond]N (of 16-TMC) fragments, which supports the existence of bonding interaction between the metal and C[double bond]C[double bond]C unit in the electronic excited state.     

Kinetic investigation of the OH radical and Cl atom initiated degradation of unsaturated ketones at atmospheric pressure and 298 K

Rate coefficients for the reactions of hydroxyl radicals and chlorine atoms with 4-hexen-3-one, 5-hexen-2-one, and 3-penten-2-one have been determined at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air. Rate coefficients for the compounds were determined using a relative kinetic technique with different reference compounds. The experiments were performed in a large photoreactor (480 L) using in situ FTIR spectroscopy to monitor the decay of reactants. From the different measurements the following rate coefficients (in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) have been determined: k(1)(OH + 4-hexen-3-one) = (9.04 ± 2.12) × 10(-11), k(2)(OH + 5-hexen-2-one) = (5.18 ± 1.27) × 10(-11), k(3)(OH + 3-penten-2-one) = (7.22 ± 1.74) × 10(-11), k(4)(Cl + 4-hexen-3-one) = (3.00 ± 0.58) × 10(-10), k(5)(Cl + 5-hexen-2-one) = (3.15 ± 0.50) × 10(-10) and k(6)(Cl + 3-penten-2-one) = (2.53 ± 0.54) × 10(-10). The reactivity of the double bond in alkenes and unsaturated ketones at 298 K toward addition of OH radicals and Cl atoms are compared and discussed. In addition, a correlation between the reactivity of the unsaturated ketones toward OH radicals and the HOMO of the compounds is presented. On the basis of the kinetic measurements, the tropospheric lifetimes of 4-hexen-3-one, 5-hexen-2-one, and 3-penten-2-one with respect to their reaction with hydroxyl radicals are estimated to be between 2 and 3 h.     

Addition-elimination in the reaction of alpha-hydroxyalkyl radicals with 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and nicotinic acid: example of inner sphere organic electron transfer

Reactions of alpha-hydroxyalkyl radicals with 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (3,5-PDCA) and nicotinic acid (NA) were studied at appropriate pHs in aqueous solutions by pulse radiolysis technique. At pH 1, CH(3)C*HOH and *CH(2)OH radicals were found to react with 3,5-PDCA by rate constants of 2.2 x 10(9) and 5.1 x 10(8) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), respectively, giving radical adduct species. The adduct species formed in the reaction of CH(3)C*HOH radicals with 3,5-PDCA underwent unimolecular decay (k = 9.8 x 10(4) s(-1)) giving pyridinyl radicals. Reaction of (CH(3))(2)C*OH, CH(3)C*HOH, and *CH(2)OH radicals with NA at pH 3.3 gave the adduct species which subsequently decayed to the pyridinyl radicals. At pH 1, wherein NA is present in the protonated form, (CH(3))(2)C*OH radicals directly transfer electrons to NA, whereas CH(3)C*HOH and *CH(2)OH radicals react with higher rate constants compared with those at pH 3.3, initially giving the adduct species which subsequently undergo elimination reaction giving pyridinyl radicals. Reactions of alpha-hydroxyalkyl radicals with 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and nicotinic acid are found to proceed by an addition-elimination pathway that provides one of the few examples of organic inner sphere electron-transfer reactions. Rate constant for the addition reaction as well as rate of elimination varies with the reduction potential of alpha-hydroxyalkyl radicals.     

Kinetic study of the reactions of Cl atoms with CF3CH2CH2OH, CF3CF2CH2OH, CHF2CF2CH2OH, and CF3CHFCF2CH2OH

The reaction kinetics of chlorine atoms with a series of partially fluorinated straight-chain alcohols, CF(3)CH(2)CH(2)OH (1), CF(3)CF(2)CH(2)OH (2), CHF(2)CF(2)CH(2)OH (3), and CF(3)CHFCF(2)CH(2)OH (4), were studied in the gas phase over the temperature range of 273-363 K by using very low-pressure reactor mass spectrometry. The absolute rate coefficients were given by the expressions (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)): k(1) = (4.42 +/- 0.48) x 10(-11) exp(-255 +/- 20/T); k(1)(303) = (1.90 +/- 0.17) x 10(-11), k(2) = (2.23 +/- 0.31) x 10(-11) exp(-1065 +/- 106/ T); k(2)(303) = (6.78 +/- 0.63) x 10(-13), k(3) = (8.51 +/- 0.62) x 10(-12) exp(-681 +/- 72/T); k(3)(303) = (9.00 +/- 0.82) x 10(-13) and k(4) = (6.18 +/- 0.84) x 10(-12) exp(-736 +/- 42/T); k(4)(303) = (5.36 +/- 0.51) x 10(-13). The quoted 2sigma uncertainties include the systematic errors. All title reactions proceed via a hydrogen atom metathesis mechanism leading to HCl. Moreover, the oxidation of the primarily produced radicals was investigated, and the end products were the corresponding aldehydes (R(F)-CHO; R(F) = -CH(2)CF(3), -CF(2)CF(3), -CF(2)CHF(2), and -CF(2)CHFCF(3)), providing a strong experimental indication that the primary reactions proceed mainly via the abstraction of a methylenic hydrogen adjacent to a hydroxyl group. Finally, the bond strengths and ionization potentials for the title compounds were determined by density functional theory calculations, which also suggest that the alpha-methylenic hydrogen is mainly under abstraction by Cl atoms. The correlation of room-temperature rate coefficients with ionization potentials for a set of 27 molecules, comprising fluorinated C2-C5 ethers and C2-C4 alcohols, is good with an average deviation of a factor of 2, and is given by the expression log(k) (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) = (5.8 +/- 1.4) - (1.56 +/- 0.13) x (ionization potential (in eV)).     

Atmospheric chemistry of t-CF3CH=CHCl: products and mechanisms of the gas-phase reactions with chlorine atoms and hydroxyl radicals

FTIR-smog chamber techniques were used to study the products and mechanisms of the Cl atom and OH radical initiated oxidation of trans-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-chloro-propene, t-CF(3)CH=CHCl, in 700 Torr of air or N(2)/O(2) diluent at 296 ± 2 K. The reactions of Cl atoms and OH radicals with t-CF(3)CH=CHCl occur via addition to the >C=C< double bond; chlorine atoms add 15 ± 5% at the terminal carbon and 85 ± 5% at the central carbon, OH radicals add approximately 40% at the terminal carbon and 60% at the central carbon. The major products in the Cl atom initiated oxidation of t-CF(3)CH=CHCl were CF(3)CHClCHO and CF(3)C(O)CHCl(2), minor products were CF(3)CHO, HCOCl and CF(3)COCl. The yields of CF(3)C(O)CHCl(2), CF(3)CHClCOCl and CF(3)COCl increased at the expense of CF(3)CHO, HCOCl and CF(3)CHClCHO as the O(2) partial pressure was increased over the range 10-700 Torr. Chemical activation plays a significant role in the fate of CF(3)CH(O)CHCl(2) and CF(3)CClHCHClO radicals. In addition to reaction with O(2) to yield CF(3)COCl and HO(2) the major competing fate of CF(3)CHClO is Cl elimination to give CF(3)CHO (not C-C bond scission as previously thought). As part of this study k(Cl + CF(3)C(O)CHCl(2)) = (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10(-14) and k(Cl + CF(3)CHClCHO) = (7.5 ± 2.0) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) were determined using relative rate techniques. Reaction with OH radicals is the major atmospheric sink for t-CF(3)CH=CHCl. Chlorine atom elimination giving the enol CF(3)CH=CHOH appears to be the sole atmospheric fate of the CF(3)CHCHClOH radicals. The yield of CF(3)COOH in the atmospheric oxidation of t-CF(3)CH=CHCl will be negligible (<2%). The results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric chemistry and environmental impact of t-CF(3)CH=CHCl.     

Study of the thymine molecule: equilibrium structure from joint analysis of gas-phase electron diffraction and microwave data and assignment of vibrational spectra using results of ab initio calculations

Thymine is one of the nucleobases which forms the nucleic acid (NA) base pair with adenine in DNA. The study of molecular structure and dynamics of nucleobases can help to understand and explain some processes in biological systems and therefore it is of interest. Because the scattered intensities on the C, N, and O atoms as well as some bond lengths in thymine are close to each other the structural problem cannot been solved by the gas phase electron diffraction (GED) method alone. Therefore the rotational constants from microvawe (MW) studies and differences in the groups of N-C, C=O, N-H, and C-H bond lengths from MP2 (full)/cc-pVQZ calculations were used as supplementary data. The analysis of GED data was based on the C(s) molecular symmetry according to results of the structure optimizations at the MP2 (full) level using 6-311G (d,p), cc-pVTZ, and cc-pVQZ basis sets confirmed by vibrational frequency calculations with 6-311G (d,p) and cc-pVTZ basis sets. Mean-square amplitudes as well as harmonic and anharmonic vibrational corrections to the internuclear distances (r(e)-r(a)) and to the rotational constants (B(e)(k)-B(0)(k), where k = A, B, C) were calculated from the quadratic (MP2 (full)/cc-pVTZ) and cubic (MP2 (full)/6-311G (d,p)) force constants (the latter were used only for anharmonic corrections). The harmonic force field was scaled using published IR and Raman spectra of the parent and N1,N3-dideuterated species, which were for the first time completely assigned in the present work. The main equilibrium structural parameters of the thymine molecule determined from GED data supplemented by MW rotational constants and results of MP2 calculations are the following (bond lengths in Angstroms and bond angles in degrees with 3sigma in parentheses): r(e) (C5=C6) = 1.344 (16), r(e) (C5-C9) = 1.487 (8), r(e) (N1-C6) = 1.372 (3), r(e) (N1-C2) = 1.377 (3), r(e) (C2-N3) = 1.378 (3), r(e) (N3-C4) = 1.395 (3), r(e) (C2=O7) = 1.210 (1), r(e) (C4=O8) = 1.215 (1), angle e (N1-C6=C5) = 123.1 (5), angle e (C2-N1-C6) = 123.7 (5), angle e (N1-C2-N3) = 112.8 (5), angle e (C2-N3-C4) = 128.0 (5), angle e (N3-C4-C5) = 114.8 (5), angle e (C6=C5-C9) = 124.4 (9). The experimental structural parameters are in good agreement with those from MP2 (full) calculations with use of cc-pVTZ and cc-pVQZ basis sets.     

Dynamics for reaction of an ion pair in aqueous solution: reactivity of carboxylate anions in bimolecular carbocation-nucleophile addition and unimolecular ion pair collapse

[reaction: see text]. The sum of the rate constants for solvolysis and 18O-scrambling of 4-MeC6H4(13)CH(Me)18OC(O)C6F5 in 50/50 (v/v) trifluoroethanol/water, k(solv) + k(iso) = 1.22 x 10(-5) s(-1), is larger than k(solv) = 1.06 x 10(-5) s(-1) for solvolysis of the unlabeled ester. This shows that the ion pair intermediate undergoes significant internal return. The data give k(-1) = 7 x 10(9) s(-1) for internal return by unimolecular collapse of the ion pair, which is significantly larger than k(Nu) = 5 x 10(8) M(-1) x s(-1) for bimolecular nucleophilic addition of carboxylate anions to 4-MeC6H4CH(Me)+.     

One-electron reduction of superoxide radical-anions by 3-alkylpolyhydroxyflavones in micelles. Effect of antioxidant alkyl chain length on micellar structure and reactivity

In micellar solutions, one-electron reduction of (*)O 2 (-) radical-anions by 3-alkylpolyhydroxyflavones (FnH) with alkyl chains of n = 1, 4, 6, 10 carbons produces phenoxyl radicals ( (*)Fn) identical to those obtained by one-electron oxidation by (*)Br 2 (-) radical-anions or by repair of tryptophan radicals. In cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), F1H localizes in the Stern layer, and alkyl chains of other FnH solubilize in the hydrophobic interior, interacting with cetyl tails. This interaction produces more compact micelles with lower intramicellar fluidity, as suggested by the increase in the pseudo-first-order rate constant of (*)Fn formation ( k 1) from approximately 390 s (-1) for n = 1 to 610 s (-1) for n = 10, leading to an intramicellar bimolecular rate constant of 1 x 10 (5) M (-1) s (-1). Additionally, (*)F1 and (*)F4 decay by intermicellar bimolecular reaction (2 k = 20 and 2 x 10 (5) M (-1) s (-1), respectively) whereas other (*)Fn radicals are stable over seconds due to increased localization with regards to the Stern layer. In contrast, the thick uncharged hydrophilic palisade layer and the compact hydrophobic core of Triton X100 micelles are responsible for a much higher microviscosity resulting in a decrease in k 1 from approximately 15.6 s (-1) for n = 1 to 9.6 s (-1) for n = 10.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of Mn(hfac)(2)-complexes of 2-(5-pyrimidinyl)- and 2-(3-pyridyl)-substituted nitronyl nitroxides

Mn(hfac)(2) complexes of [2-(5-pyrimidinyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H- imidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide] (1) and its 2-(3-pyridyl) analogue (2) were prepared. Both complexes formed similar dimer structures. However, their packing patterns were considerably different. The pyrimidine dimers were aligned to form a linear chain structure, and each dimer was weakly bound by two sets of O6-C2 short contacts. In the pyridine dimer complex, two structurally similar but independent dimers were alternatively arranged, and two dimer-dimer contacts, O6-C2 (3.13 A) and O6-C3 (3.30 A), were observed. The pyrimidine complex showed strong antiferromagnetic behavior in the high temperature region (150-300 K) and weak ferromagnetic behavior below 100 K. Two models were used to analyze these magnetic properties. One is a quintet-septet thermal equilibrium model with mean-field approximation, which can reproduce the round minimum observed at about 150 K in chi(p)T plots (J(1)/k(B) = -148 +/- 2 K with theta = +2.5 +/- 0.1 K). The other is a ferromagnetic S = 2 chain model to fit the chi(p)T values in the lower temperature region (J(S=2)/k(B) = +0.31 +/- 0.01 K). The pyridine complex showed antiferromagnetic interactions both in the high and low temperature regions. The magnetic behavior was similarly analyzed with the following parameters: J(1)/k(B) = -140 +/- 2 K with theta = -0.55 +/- 0.05 K, and J(S=2)/k(B) = -0.075 +/- 0.003 K. The ligand-ligand interactions for both of the complexes were theoretically analyzed. The calculated results agreed well with the experiments. The stronger antiferromagnetic behavior observed in both the complexes at high temperatures was attributed to the magnetic interaction between the Mn(II) and the coordinating nitroxide oxygen atom. The weaker ferromagnetic interaction, J(S=2)/k(B) = +0.31 +/- 0.01 K, in the pyrimidine complex was attributed to the coulombic O6-C2 contact. Antiferromagnetic interaction J(S=2)/k(B) = -0.075 +/- 0.003 K in the pyridine complex was attributed to the O6-C3 contact.     

Determination of the rate constant and product channels for the radical-radical reaction NCO(X 2Pi) + C2H5(X 2A') at 293 K

The rate constant and product branching ratios for the reaction of the cyanato radical, NCO(X (2)Pi), with the ethyl radical, C(2)H(5)(X (2)A'), have been measured over the pressure range of 0.28 to 0.59 kPa and at a temperature of 293 +/- 2 K. The total rate constant, k(1), increased with pressure, P(kPa), described by k(1) = (1.25 +/- 0.16) x 10(-10) + (4.22 +/- 0.35) x 10(-10)P cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Three product channels were observed that were not pressure dependent: (1a) HNCO + C(2)H(4), k(1a) = (1.1 +/- 0.16) x 10(-10), (1b) HONC + C(2)H(4), k(1b) = (2.9 +/- 1.3) x 10(-11), (1c) HCN + C(2)H(4)O, k(1c) = (8.7 +/- 1.5) x 10(-13), with units cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and uncertainties of one-standard deviation in the scatter of the data. The pressure dependence was attributed to a forth channel, (1d), forming recombination products C(2)H(5)NCO and/or C(2)H(5)OCN, with pressure dependence: (1d) k(1d) = (0.090 +/- 1.3) x 10(-11) + (3.91 +/- 0.27) x 10(-10)P cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The radicals were generated by the 248 nm photolysis of ClNCO in an excess of C(2)H(6). Quantitative infrared time-resolved absorption spectrophotometry was used to follow the temporal dependence of the reactants and the appearance of the products. Five species were monitored, HCl, NCO, HCN, HNCO, and C(2)H(4), providing a detailed picture of the chemistry occurring in the system. Other rate constants were also measured: ClNCO + C(2)H(5), k(10) = (2.3 +/- 1.2) x 10(-13) , NCO + C(2)H(6), k(2) = (1.6 +/- 0.11) x 10(-14), NCO + C(4)H(10), k(4) = (5.3 +/- 0.51) x 10(-13), with units cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and uncertainties of one-standard deviation in the scatter of the data.     

A STUDY OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF NUCLEIC ACID CONSTITUENTS EXPOSED TO MONOCHROMATIC 160 nm VACUUM-UV LIGHT BY SPIN-TRAPPING METHOD

Spin-trapping technique was employed to detect and identify free radical intermediates produced in aqueous solutions of nucleic acid constituents (pyrimidine bases and pyrimidine nucleosides) after irradiation by monochromatic 160 nm vacuum-UV light from the electron storage ring. Short-lived free radicals produced in the molecules were converted into relatively long-lived free radicals (spin-adducts) by the reaction with MNP used as a spin trap. The resulting nitroxide radicals were subsequently analysed by esr.
The esr measurements were made after irradiating H₂O solution containing sample and the spin trap and once freeze-drying it and re-dissolving the residual powder in D₂O to get the spectrum with a well-resolved hyperfine structure. Thus, clear evidence that most of the radicals were not formed by H-addition but formed by OH-addition at the C5 position of the 5, 6 double bond were obtained for pyrimidine bases. For pyrimidine nucleosides, although the effect of H₂O-D₂O exchange was not recognized on resolution improvement of the hyperfine structure of the esr spectra, careful analysis of the hyperfine structure made it possible to identify the radical structures; OH-addition radicals at the C6 of the double bond of the base moiety in addition to the OH-addition radicals at the C5 position for all except for 2-deoxycytidine. Evidence for the formation of free radicals at the sugar moiety was not clear.