The photodecomposition and photoracemization of methyl (+)-O-methylmandelate

Irradiation at 254 nm of the bichromorphoric molecule methyl (+)-O-methylmandelate ((+)-3) in methanol has been found to lead to photodecomposition and photoracemization. The major monomeric product isolated, methyl phenylacetate (1b), is shown to arise by a mechanism totally different from that responsible for racemization. The high efficiency of the direct irradiation, the very short singlet lifetime of 3 (ca 1 nsec), and the inability to sensitize the formation of 1b with acetone triplets implicate the singlet state of 3 as the reactive species. Mechanistic models to account for the products are discussed.     

Thermal and Photochemical Reactions of 1,2-Annelated Barrelenes and Hydrobarrelenes in the presence of transition-metal carbonyls

The [Co₂(CO)₈]-mediated retro-Diels-Alder reaction of the annelated barrelenes 1 afforded the 1H-indol-2(3H)-one derivatives 3 (Scheme 1), while the hydrobarrelene 4a , under the same conditions, was converted to the anilide 6 (Scheme 2); 4b remained unaffected. The direct irradiation of 1 led to the annelated cyclooctatetraenes 7 (Scheme 3). On irradiation in the presence of excess of [Fe(CO)₅], 1a , 1b , and 4a gave the tricarbonyliron complexes 8 , 9 , and 11 , respectively (Schemes 3 and 4); under these conditions, 4b was inert.     

Photochemistry of 3-aryl-2-isoxazoline1

3-Phenyl-2-isoxazoline (1) was irradiated to give 4-phenyl-2-oxazoline (3), β-aminoaldehyde (14) and benzonitrile from its π-π^* singlet excited state. Several related derivatives afforded similar photoproducts on irradiation. The quantum yields of the photoreactions were dependent on the magnitudes of the singlet energies of the 2-isoxazolines. p-Cyanophenyl-2-isoxazoline (1c) formed a one-to-one photoadduct (22) with benzene.     

Novel pyrazoline and pyrazole porphyrin derivatives: synthesis and photophysical properties

2-Vinyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinatozinc(II) reacts with nitrile imines, generated in situ from ethyl hydrazono-α-bromoglyoxylates, affording the corresponding pyrazolines in good to excellent yields. Treatment of pyrazoline derivatives with DDQ affords the corresponding pyrazole derivatives with moderate to excellent yields. When the hydrolysis of ester group in the pyrazoline derivatives was considered, it was observed the concomitant oxidation of the heterocyclic unit, which allowed directly obtaining porphyrin-pyrazole derivatives with a carboxylic group, in very good yields.The photophysical properties of the pyrazoline and pyrazole porphyrin derivatives show that the influence of the heterocyclic substituents is limited by the tendency of these molecules to aggregate. All other properties and especially the triplet kinetics remain unaffected. The adducts with low tendency to aggregate showed very high singlet oxygen yield, which makes these compounds interesting for their use as photosensitizers for PDT.     

Synthesis,photophysical and photochemical properties of tetra- and octa-substituted gallium and indium phthalocyanines

The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of the tetra- and octa-[4-(benzyloxyphenoxy)] substituted gallium(III) and indium(III) phthalocyanines are reported for the first time. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and electronic spectroscopy. General trends are described for quantum yields of photodegredation, fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, triplet lifetimes and triplet quantum yields as well as singlet oxygen quantum yields of these compounds in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Substituted indium phthalocyanine complexes (7b–9b) showed much higher quantum yields of triplet state and shorter triplet lifetimes, compared to the substituted GaPc derivatives due to enhanced intersystem crossing (ISC) in the former. The gallium and indium phthalocyanine complexes showed phototransformation during laser irradiation due to ring reduction. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ), which give an indication of the potential of the complexes as photosensitizers in applications where singlet oxygen is required (Type II mechanism) ranged from 0.51 to 0.94. Thus, these complexes show potential as photodynamic therapy of cancer.     

Photochemical formation of chrysanthemic acid and cyclopropylacrylic acid derivatives: A case of multiplicity-dependent regiospecificity in the di-π-methane rearrangement

Photochemical transformations of methyl E- and Z - 4,4,6 - trimethyl - 2,5 - dienoate (5a) and of the corresponding acids (5b) have been investigated. In contrast to similar pure hydrocarbon di-π-methanes, these aliphatic α,β-unsaturated car?ylic acid derivatives react from both the singlet and the triplet excited states and form different types of vinylcyclopropanes depending on multiplicity. When irradiated in acetone, both 5aE and 5aZ give methyl E - 3(2,2,3,3 - tetramethylcyclopropyl)prop - 2 - enoate (8aE). The same is observed for the corresponding acids. Direct irradiation of 5aE, but not of 5aZ, readily gives methyl E-chrysanthemate (4aE). Only singlet excited 5Z reacts by internal hydrogen abstraction to cyclopropylacetic add derivatives (7). Procedures for independent synthesis of 7 and 8 are described.     

Microwave-assisted regioselective synthesis and isomerization of 6-O-vanillyl- and 6-O-iso-vanillyl hexoses and studies of their activities as radical scavengers by EPR spectroscopy

Four 6-O-substituted saccharides, namely 6-O-vanillyl-d-glucose 1, 6-O-vanillyl-d-mannose 2, 6-O-iso-vanillyl-d-glucose 3 and 6-O-iso-vanillyl-d-mannose 4 have been synthesized. Synthesized saccharide derivatives have been subsequently used in Mo(VI)-catalyzed stereospecific isomerizations yielding compounds with potential radical scavenging activity. In order to accelerate intramolecular isomerization rates and conversions microwave irradiation was used. Synthesized products were obtained with excellent stereoselectivity in good conversions and were tested by EPR spectroscopy for radical scavenging activity.     

Singlet Oxygen Quenching by Resveratrol Derivatives†

We investigated the singlet oxygen quenching ability of several derivatives of trans-resveratrol which have been reported to have significant antioxidant ability, including photoprotective activity. We measured the total rate constants of singlet oxygen removal (k_T) by the methylated resveratrol derivative 1,3-dimethoxy-5-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene, and the partially methylated resveratrol derivatives 4-((E)-2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl)phenol (pterostilbene), 5-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene-1,3-diol and (2R,3R)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one (dihydromyricetin). A protic solvent system results in higher k_T values, except for the completely methylated derivative. We also investigated the ability of trans-resveratrol to directly act as a photosensitizer (rather than via secondary photoproducts resulting from other primary photochemical reactions) for the production of singlet oxygen but found that neither resveratrol nor any of its derivatives are able to do so. We then studied the chemical reactions of the methylated derivative with singlet oxygen. The main pathway consists of a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction involving the trans-double bond and the para-substituted benzene ring similar to what has been observed for trans-resveratrol. Unlike trans-resveratrol, the primary singlet oxygen product undergoes a second [4 + 2] cycloaddition with singlet oxygen leading to the formation of diendoperoxides. A second reactivity pathway for both trans-resveratrol and the methylated derivative leads to the formation of aldehydes via cleavage of a transient dioxetane.     

Application of the Gould-Jacobs reaction to 4-amino-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole

An effective method for the synthesis of 4-amino-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole (4) has been described. Reduction of readily available 4-nitrobenzothiadiazole 6 with SnCl₂·2H₂O afforded 1,2,3-triaminobenzene dihydrochloride 2. The latter upon treatment with aqueous SeO₂ solution provided desired amine 4. Nucleophilic vinylic substitution of activated enol ethers 7 with amine 4 led to (benzoselenadiazol-4-ylamino)methylene derivatives 8. Thermal cyclization of derivatives 8a-c, e, f under Gould-Jacobs reaction conditions gave angularly annelated 7-(non)substituted selenadiazolo[3,4-h]quinolones 9. Acid hydrolysis of etyl ester 9c afforded corresponding acid 10. All prepared selenadiazoloquinolones were tested for antimicrobial activity.     

The furan approach to oxacycles. Part 3: Stereoselective synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans

Commercially available furan 1 was converted to 2,3-trans and 2,3-cis-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans 2 and 3 using a highly efficient route to oxacycles, based on the oxidation of the furan ring with singlet oxygen. Tetrahydropyrans 2 and 3 could be easily separated by column chromatography.     

Atropisomer-based construction of a new perylene diimide macrocycle as visible-light photocatalyst for selective sulfide oxidation

By using a perylene diimine (PDI) syn-atropisomer as highly preorganized precursor, we successfully constructed a visible-light-active organic macrocycle PDI-M. The formation of macrocyclic structure effectively avoids self-aggregation of PDI cores and enhances the absorption in visible region. As a photocatalyst, PDI-M exhibits excellent activity on aerobic selective oxidation of sulfide into sulfoxide under visible light irradiation at room temperature. Mechanism studies show that both superoxide and singlet oxygen act as reactive oxygen species. This work provides a typical case toward the maximum utilization of photosensitive groups under mild conditions.     

Photochemical and spectral characterization of peripherally modified porphyrazines

The photochemical properties of a new family of porphyrazines with annulated strongly electron-withdrawing 1,2,5-selenadiazole rings were studied. The experiments were performed on three compounds, two metallated at the core with Mg(II) or Zn(II) ions, and a third one that was demetallated.The photostability of these porphyrazines was studied in solution according to the conditions recommended in the first version of the document issued by ICH. The substances analyzed were irradiated with a high-pressure mercury lamp (HBO-50). The samples were irradiated with wavelengths corresponding to the Soret and Q bands, selected by the use of appropriate filters.The method used for evaluation of porphyrazine photodecomposition was subjected to a validation procedure by determination of linearity, LOD, LOQ and precision. The photodegradation appeared to follow first-order kinetics. Quantitative evaluation of the photochemical decomposition was performed on the basis of the photodegradation parameters. Furthermore, quantum yields have been estimated using the quinine solution as a chemical actinometer. The experimental quantum yields were extrapolated to the initial concentration of porphyrazine to obtain the actual quantum yields. The photochemical stability of the PzMg(II) hexapropyl(selenadiazole)porphyrazine complex was found to be greater than that of the PzZn(II) complex and the demetallated Pz2H.The photosensitizing activity of the porphyrazines was evaluated by application of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) as a singlet oxygen chemical quencher. The values of singlet oxygen generation obtained for the compounds were compared with zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), used as a standard. The results revealed that the PzZn(II) derivative is the most efficient sensitizer. The quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation was φ = 0.85, 0.67 and 0.17 for PzZn, PzMg and Pz2H, respectively.     

Photostability and photoprotection factor of boldine and glaucine

Boldine hydrochloride was more photounstable than boldine after irradiation with UVB (lambda = 300 nm). However, photoconsumption quantum yields, for glaucine hydrochloride (6.5 x 10(-2)) and boldine hydrochloride (6.7 x 10(-2)) in air, were quite similar. The photolysis was oxygen dependent in both cases, and the effect over the kinetics after the addition of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy suggested free radicals participation. The fact that the antioxidative capacity of boldine and boldine hydrochloride did not change during the photolysis, suggests that the phenolic structure remains unchanged in the photoproducts, corroborated with the photoproducts analysis. The photoprotection capacity was evaluated before and after irradiation. Results indicate that the values before irradiation are similar for all three compounds, only glaucine increasing its capacity with length of irradiation time.     

9-Mesityl-10-methylacridinium: an efficient type II and electron-transfer photooxygenation catalyst

The visible-light irradiation of 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium perchlorate 1 in the presence of monoalkenes and molecular oxygen leads to typical products of singlet oxygen addition (type II photooxygenation). The molecular probes 1-methylcyclohexene and limonene, respectively, result in hydroperoxide mixtures with a characteristic product pattern. A switch in the oxidative mechanism (electron-transfer photooxygenation) is observed for naphthalene derivatives as electron-rich acceptor molecules, revealing that the 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium cation serves as a dual sensitizer with the capacity of efficient singlet oxygen formation and electron-transfer reaction. [reaction: see text].     

CeCl3·7H2O-SiO2： Catalyst promoted microwave assisted neat synthesis, antifungal and antioxidant activities of α-diaminophosphonates

CeCl₃·7H₂O supported on silica（CeCl₃·7H₂O-SiO₂） is used as a heterogeneous,efficient and recyclable catalyst for a three component one-pot reaction of an amine,aldehydes and diethyl phosphite to synthesizeα-diaminophosphonate derivatives under microwave irradiation exploiting neat reaction conditions.Tenα-diaminophosphonates（6a-j） of 4,4’-sulfonyldianiline（Dapsone）（3） were synthesized and structural elucidation was confirmed by spectral data.Antifungal and antioxidant activities were evaluated include minimum inhibitory concentrations and IC₅₀ values,respectively of the titled compounds.Compounds 6h,6i exhibited promising antioxidant activity at lower IC₅₀ values 53.7μg/mL, 53.2μg/mL,respectively as compared with standard IC₅₀ value 51.6μg/mL.     

Photochemistry of dienones—X: Photochemistry of (e)-β-ionone oxime ethyl ether

(E)-β-ionone oximc ethyl ether [(E, E)-4] upon direct irradiation with λ either254or 313 nm yields the geometrical isomer (E, Z)-4 and (Z)-retro-γ-ionone oxime ethyl ether (Z,E)-5 as the sole primary products, illustrating (E)-(Z) isomerization (φ₃₁₃ =0.49) and a 1, 5-hydrogen shift (φ313 =0.15) respectively. From studies with triplet photosensitizers and with ethyl iodide (to enhance the singlet-triplet intersystem crossing) it is concluded that these two products in the direct irradiation result only from the singlet excited state, and that the inter-system crossing quantum yield is relatively low. Upon prolonged irradiation of (E,E)-4 with λ 313 nm the eventual products are (Z,E)-5 and (Z,Z)-5, whereas with λ 254 nm they are (E,E)-5 and [(Z,E)-5 and/or (E,Z)-5]. Upon triplet photosensitization (E,E)-4 undergoes only (E)-(Z) isomerization, leading to a mixture of all the four geometrical isomers of4. From the dependence of the geometrical isomer distribution in the photostationary state on the triplet energy of the sensitizer the triplet energies of (E,E)-4, (E, Z)-4, (Z, E)-4, and (Z, Z)-4 have been determined to be ca 55, < 55,57, and 57 $\text{kcal}\text{mol}$ respectively.     

Cellular Uptake and Photodynamic Activity of Protein Nanocages Containing Methylene Blue Photosensitizing Drug

This study reports that photosensitizers encapsulated in supramolecular protein cages can be internalized by tumor cells and can deliver singlet oxygen intracellularly for photodynamic therapy (PDT). As an alternative to other polymeric and/or inorganic nanocarriers and nanoconjugates, which may also deliver photosensitizers to the inside of the target cells, protein nanocages provide a unique vehicle of biological origin for the intracellular delivery of photosensitizing molecules for PDT by protecting the photosensitizers from reactive biomolecules in the cell membranes, and yet providing a coherent, critical mass of destructive power (by way of singlet oxygen) upon specific light irradiation for photodynamic therapy of tumor cells. As a model, we demonstrated the successful encapsulation of methylene blue (MB) in apoferritin via a dissociation–reassembly process controlled by pH. The resulting MB-containing apoferritin nanocages show a positive effect on singlet oxygen production, and cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells when irradiated at the appropriate wavelength (i.e. 633 nm).     

Synthesis and phototransformations of novel styryl-substituted furo-benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octadiene derivatives

Novel cis- and trans-(o-H/Me/vinyl) substituted styryl furo-benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octadiene derivatives (7a,b, 8) were prepared and transformed to the novel naphthofuran derivatives of benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octadiene (6a,b) and novel phenanthrene-benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octadiene derivative (11) by photochemical electrocyclic ring closure in the presence of iodine and by intramolecular photoinduced [4+2] cycloaddition, respectively. These novel annelated bicyclo[3.2.1]octadiene derivatives (6a,b, 11) are especially interesting for their rigid methano-bridged junction of two aromatic units at defined geometrical arrangement and thereby as potentials for molecular clips.     

Photosensitized Oxidation of Tetrabromobisphenol A by Humic Acid in Aqueous Solution†

The brominated flame retardant 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) may accumulate in the environment, including surface waters, and degrade there to potentially toxic products. We have previously shown that singlet oxygen (¹O₂), produced by irradiation of rose bengal with visible light, oxidizes Triton X‐100‐solubilized TBBPA to yield the 2,6‐dibromo‐p‐benzosemiquinone anion radical while consuming oxygen (Environ. Sci. Technol. 42 , 166, 2008). Here, we report that a similar ¹ O ₂ ‐induced oxidation can be initiated in aqueous solutions by the irradiation of TBBPA dissolved in a humic acid (HA) solution. HA is a known weak ¹ O ₂ photosensitizer and we indeed detected the infrared ¹ O ₂ phosphorescence from HA preparations in D ₂ O. When an aqueous preparation of HA was irradiated (λ > 400 nm) in the presence of TBBPA, oxygen was consumed, and the 2,6‐dibromo‐ p ‐benzosemiquinone anion radical was generated and detected using electron paramagnetic resonance. Radical formation and oxygen consumption were inhibited by sodium azide, a singlet oxygen quencher. Our results suggest that solar radiation, in the presence of HA, may play an important role in the photodegradation of TBBPA in the aquatic environment.     

Aza‐BODIPY Derivatives: Enhanced Quantum Yields of Triplet Excited States and the Generation of Singlet Oxygen and their Role as Facile Sustainable Photooxygenation Catalysts

A new series of aza‐BODIPY derivatives ( 4 a – 4 c , 5 a , c , and 6 b , c ) were synthesized and their excited‐state properties, such as their triplet excited state and the yield of singlet‐oxygen generation, were tuned by substituting with heavy atoms, such as bromine and iodine. The effect of substitution has been studied in detail by varying the position of halogenation. The core‐substituted dyes showed high yields of the triplet excited state and high efficiencies of singlet‐oxygen generation when compared to the peripheral‐substituted systems. The dye 6 c , which was substituted with six iodine atoms on the core and peripheral phenyl ring, showed the highest quantum yields of the triplet excited state (Φ_T=0.86) and of the efficiency of singlet‐oxygen generation (Φ_Δ=0.80). Interestingly, these dyes were highly efficient as photooxygenation catalysts under artificial light, as well as under normal sunlight conditions. The uniqueness of these aza‐BODIPY systems is that they are stable under irradiation conditions, possess strong red‐light absorption (620–680 nm), exhibit high yields of singlet‐oxygen generation, and act as efficient and sustainable catalysts for photooxygenation reactions.