Fluorimetric determination of dissociation constants of aryl-substituted alkylammonium ions

Although the absorption spectra of aryl-substituted alkylammonium ions are insensitive to prototropic dissociation, the fluorescence quantum yields of these ions are often very different from those of their uncharged conjugate bases. This is shown to be the result of different rates of non-radiative deactivation in excited acid and conjugate base and is analytically useful for the determination of pK_a values. The pK_a values of six drugs (procaine, butacaine, benoxinate, cinchonine, propranolol and dibucaine) which are aryl-substituted alkylammonium ions were evaluated fluorimetrically and are presented here.     

Evaluation of Multiplexed CE with UV Detection for Rapid pK a Estimation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

The acid dissociation constant (pK _a) is a key physicochemical parameter for characterizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Early determination of pK _a values is highly desirable in drug discovery, pharmaceutical process research and formulation design. To overcome the challenges of limited sample availability and potential low purity of API samples at early stages of drug development, as well as to increase sample analysis throughput, a multiplexed 96-channel capillary electrophoresis with UV detection was evaluated as a practical approach for high throughput pK _a estimation of proprietary APIs in support of pharmaceutical research. Proprietary APIs with diverse structures were examined using the approach. The pK _a values were successfully determined with good accuracy and precision. System robustness was demonstrated and analysis of at least eight samples can be completed within 1 h. A rapid pK _a estimation procedure for marginally soluble APIs was proposed by performing single-point multiplexed CE–UV measurement without extrapolation using 10 or 20% methanol as co-solvent. Direct pK _a estimation of APIs using DMSO solution samples and crude reaction samples containing a large amount of solvents and reagents and high level of impurities was also demonstrated using the multiplexed CE–UV approach.     

On the protonation of partially quaternized poly-4-vinylpyridines in aqueous solution

The ionic equilibria for free pyridine rings in water-soluble macromolecules of poly-4-vinylpyridine (PVP), partially quaternized with either benzylchloride (PP_yBz) or bromoacetone (PP_yAc), were studied by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. Peculiarities of protonation in aqueous solution were observed for the pyridine rings of these polymers compared with the analogue 4-ethylpyridine (EtP_y). The values of intrinsic pK₀ in the absence of protonated pyridine residues for PP_yBz and PP_yAc were found to be 2·4–3·3, and are abnormally low compared with pK_a of EtP_y (6·1). The pK₀ depends insignificantly on the degree of quaternization in PVP but more markedly on ionic strength. However, increase of NaCl concentration (from 0 to 0·1 M) does not cause pK₀ to rise to pK_a of the analogue. The titration data of the base group and keto-enol tautomerism of acetomethylene fragments in PP_yAc allow one to assume the effect of positively charged atoms in α-position of the ring on the proton binding to nitrogen atom of the same ring, thereby decreasing the value of pK₀. The intensification of electrostatic interactions between these charges in the polymer pyridine compared with that of the analogue is likely to be due to partial dehydration of the microregion near to nitrogen atom (microenvironmental effect).     

Modulation of Excited‐State Proton Transfer of 2‐(2′‐Hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole in a Macrocyclic Cucurbit[7]uril Host Cavity: Dual Emission Behavior and pKa Shift

The effect of the macrocyclic host, cucurbit[7]uril (CB7), on the photophysical properties of the 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HPBI) dye have been investigated in aqueous solution by using ground‐state absorption and steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence measurements. All three prototropic forms of the dye (cationic, neutral, and anionic) form inclusion complexes with CB7, with the largest binding constant found for the cationic form (K≈2.4×10⁶ M ^?1). At pH≈4, the appearance of a blue emission band upon excitation of the HPBI cation in the presence of CB7 indicates that encapsulation into the CB7 cavity retards the deprotonation process of the excited cation, and hence reduces its subsequent conversion to the keto form. Excitation of the neutral form (pH≈8.5), however, leads to an increase in the keto form fluorescence, indicating an enhanced excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer process for the encapsulated dye. In both the ground and excited states, the two pK_a values of the HPBI dye show upward shifts in the presence of CB7. The prototropic equilibrium of the CB7‐complexed dye is represented by a six‐state model, and the pH‐dependent changes in the binding constants have been analyzed accordingly. It has been observed that the calculated pK_a values using this six‐state model match well with the values obtained experimentally. The changes in the pK_a values in the presence of CB7 have been corroborated with the modulation of the proton‐transfer process of the dye within the host cavity.     

EFFECT OF THE BROMINE ATOM UPON THE DISSOCIATION CONSTANTS OF BROMOPYRIDINES,BROMOQUINOLINES AND 4-BROMOISOQUINOLINE IN THEIR LOWEST EXCITED SINGLET AND TRIPLET STATES*

Abstract— The lowest excited singlet-state dissociation constants (pK^S_a) of bromosubstituted pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines were determined from the pH-dependent shifts in their electronic absorption spectra. The lowest excited triplet-state dissociation constants (pK^T_a) of bromosubstituted quinolines and 4-bromoisoquinoline were obtained from the shifts of the 0–0 phosphorescence bands measured in rigid aqueous solution at 77 K. The pK^S_a values indicate that the basicity of these brominated nitrogen heterocycles is increased in the lowest excited singlet state by 2 to 10 orders of magnitude as compared with the ground state. The pK^T_a values are found to be significantly different from the corresponding ground-state pK_a values, indicating that the basicity of bromoquinolines is increased in the lowest excited triplet state by 1.7 to 3.0 pK units. The enhancement of the excited singlet-and triplet-state basicity of brominated nitrogen heterocycle derivatives as compared with the unsuhstituted parent compounds is attributed to the increased electron-donor conjugative interactions of the bromine atom pπ orbitals with π orbitals in the lowest excited singlet and triplet state.     

Determination of pKa values of some hydroxylated benzoic acids in methanol-water binary mixtures by LC methodology and potentiometry

An accurate estimation of pK_a values in methanol-water binary mixtures is very important for several separation techniques such as liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis that use these solvent mixtures. In this study, the pK_a values of 11 polyphenolic acids have been determined in methanol-water binary mixtures (10%, 20% and 30% (v/v)) by potentiometry, liquid chromatography (LC) and LC-DAD methodology.The results show a similar trend for the pK_a values of all the studied compounds, as they increase with increasing concentration of organic modifier, which allows a linear relationship between pK_a values and mole fraction of methanol to be obtained. The pK_a values obtained in aqueous medium have been compared with those given in the literature, and also with the values predicted by the SPARC on-line pK_a calculator. The data obtained have been used to test the feasibility of an estimation of dissociation constants in a methanol-water medium from the relationship between pK_a values and the organic cosolvent fraction in the mixtures.     

Acidity of several polyprotic acids, amiodarone and quetiapine hemifumarate in pure methanol

Methanol is the organic solvent closest to water and able to dissolve a huge amount of organic compounds. Therefore, it is a good candidate for pK_a determination of drugs sparingly soluble in water or a basic drug presented as a salt which pK_a is close to that of its counter-acid. In this work, the acidic dissociation constants in pure methanol of the most common acids used in pharmaceutical preparations (lactic, tartaric, fumaric, maleic and citric) were determined. In addition, the pK_a values of the antipsychotic quetiapine presented as hemifumarate (Seroquel) and the very insoluble antiarrhythmic amiodarone were also determined by potentiometry. From these values, the aqueous pK_a of these drugs were estimated by means of previously established equations. Estimated values are consistent with those from literature and show the interest of methanol for drug discovery pK_a measurements.     

What are the pKa values of organophosphorus compounds?

A first-principle theoretical protocol was developed, which could successfully predict the pK_a values of a number of amines and thiols in DMSO with a precision of about 1.1 pK_a unit. Using this protocol we calculated the pK_a values of diverse types of organophosphorus compounds in DMSO. The accuracy of these predicted values was estimated to be about 1.1 pK_a because phosphorus is in the same group as nitrogen and in the same period as sulfur. The theoretical predictions were also consistent with all the available experimental data. Thus, a scale of reliable pK_a values was constructed for the first time for organophosphorus. These pK_a values would be helpful to synthetic chemists who need to design the experimental conditions for handling deprotonated organophosphorus. On the basis of these pK_a values we also studied, for the first time, some interesting topics such as the substituent effects on the pK_a values of various types of organophosphorus, and the differences between the pK_a values of organophosphorus and organic amines.     

Hydrogen bonding and the protonation site in 3-methyl-4-pyrimidone

The interaction between 3-methyl-4-pyrimidone and phenol derivatives or HBr has been studied by IR spectrometry in solution and in the solid state. For pK_a values ranging from 10.3 to 4.5, normal OH··· OC hydrogen bonds are formed. With stronger acids (PK_a = 0.4 to ?6) protonation occurs at the N(1) nitrogen atom of the ring. For phenols of intermediate pK_a values (3.5), there is no preferred site of interaction, both OH···OC and NH⁺···O^? bonds being formed in solution.     

Determination of dissociation constants of sparingly soluble phenothiazine derivatives by second-derivative spectrophotometry

The dissociation constants (pK_a) for sparingly soluble phenothiazines (promazine, chlorpromazine, trifluoropromazine) in water were measured by second-derivative spectrophotometry. The intense background signals in the absorption spectra due to the turbidity caused by the precipitation of insoluble free base of the phenothiazine derivatives were eliminated in the second-derivative spectra, and the solubilities of the phenothiazine derivatives could be easily determined from the peak-to-trough lengths (D values) of the second-derivative signals. The pK_a values were calculated from the pH dependence of the D values. The pK_a values obtained agreed well with reported values and the standard deviations for 6–10 determinations were ? 0.02. The solubilities of the free bases of the phenothiazines were also determined.     

Determination of pKa values of some novel benzimidazole salts by using a new approach with 1H NMR spectroscopy

Benzimidazoles and their derivatives including imidazole are studied widely because they exist in the structure of natural products and different drugs. pK_a values are extremely important for drug discovery and improvement in order to determine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features such as permeation through biological barriers, interactions with the target area or side effects. Acid–base features (pK_a) have great importance not only for physiological characteristics but also for being used as a ligand or changing physico‐chemical features by turning benzimidazoles into salts. Within the scope of this study, a variety of new benzimidazole salts were synthesized, and their characterizations were made by NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and element analysis techniques. The pK_a values of synthesized benzimidazole salts were determined by inflection point approach using integration values obtained with ¹H NMR spectroscopy and Henderson–Hasselbalch analysis. pK_a values of some benzimidazole salts were also determined by potentiometric methods in order to compare those of NMR spectroscopy results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protolytic equilibria of picric acid in a mixture of protophobic and protophilic polar solvents non-donors of H-bonds

A new differentiating medium for the study of prototropic equilibria is proposed: acetonitrile with a small addition of DMSO. From the dependence of the picric acid pK _a on the content of DMSO in this medium the optimum composition of the mixture was found ensuring the stability of the pK _a values with minimal addition of DSMO: 4 wt %. It was experimentally confirmed that the addition of water in an amount up to 0.1 wt % has virtually no effect on the measured pK _a value in a mixture with the optimum composition.     

Tandem synthesis of [1,2,4]-triazoles mediated by iodine—a regioselective approach

A tandem regioselective one-pot synthesis of 3-amino-[1,2,4]-triazoles has been achieved from 1,3-disubstituted thioureas using molecular iodine. In this one-pot strategy, the intermediate carbodiimide generated in situ from thiourea upon reaction with HCONHNH₂ gives diaryl/alkylhydrazinecarboximidamide or acylureidrazone, which then undergoes an intramolecular cyclodehydration to afford the corresponding 3-amino-[1,2,4]-triazole. The product regioselectivity for unsymmetrical 1,3-disubstituted thioureas correlate well with the pK_as of the parent amines attached, in which the amine having higher pK_a goes to the ring nitrogen while the other nitrogen remains flanked as an exocyclic nitrogen of the triazole core. This method is milder and environmentally sustainable giving good to excellent yields of the desired products.     

Determination of the pKa of Benzophenones by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

Electrophoretic behavior of seven benzophenones as a function of the buffer pH was investigated, and their pK_a values were determined by capillary zone electrophoresis. The determination of pK_a allows us to rationalize the influence of the buffer pH on the migration behavior of benzophenones. The results reveal that both the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bond and the favorable π‐electronic delocalization decrease the degree of the acid dissociation of the hydroxyl groups of hydroxybenzophenones. However, the introduction of a hydroxyl group at the 4‐position or at the 2′‐position of the aromatic ring of hydroxybenzophenones would decrease greatly their pK_a1 values. Thus the presence of this type of hydrogen bonding also plays an important role in the acid dissociation of these hydroxybenzophenones.     

Determination of thermodynamic pKa values of benzimidazole and benzimidazole derivatives by capillary electrophoresis

Thermodynamic pK_a values for benzimidazole and several substituted benzimidazoles were determined by CE. Electrophoretic mobilities of benzimidazoles were determined by CE at different pH levels and ionic strengths. The dependence of electrophoretic mobilities on pH was used to obtain pK_a values at different ionic strengths. Extrapolations to zero ionic strength were used to determine the thermodynamic pK_a values. Using this method the thermodynamic pK_a values of 15 benzimidazoles were determined and found to range from 4.48 to 7.38. Results from the CE measurements were compared with spectrophotometric measurements which were evaluated at wavelengths where the highest absorbance difference for varying pH was recorded. The two analytical techniques were in good agreement.     

Acid dissociation constants of uridine-5′-diphosphate compounds determined by phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and internal pH referencing

The acid dissociation constant (pK_a) of small, biological molecules is an important physical property used for investigating enzyme mechanisms and inhibitor design. For phosphorus-containing molecules, the ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift is sensitive to the local chemical environment, particularly to changes in the electronic state of the molecule. Taking advantage of this property, we present a ³¹P NMR approach that uses inorganic phosphate buffer as an internal pH reference to determine the pK_a values of the imide and second diphosphate of uridine-5′-diphosphate compounds, including the first reported values for UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-S-GlcNAc. New methods for using inorganic phosphate buffer as an internal pH reference, involving mathematical correction factors and careful control of the chemical shift reference sample, are illustrated. A comparison of the newly determined imide and diphosphate pK_a values of UDP, UDP-GlcNAc, and UDP-S-GlcNAc with other nucleotide phosphate and thio-analogs reveals the significance of the monosaccharide and sulfur position on the pK_a values.     

Base cleavage of substituted [phenyl(2-thienyl)methyl]- and [phenyl(2-furyl)methyl]-trimethylsilane. Stabilization of carbanionic centres by 2-thienyl and 2-furyl groups

Rates of cleavage by NaOMEMeOH at 25°C have been determined for (2-thienyl)₂CHSiMe₃ and for the compounds Ph(2-thienyl)CHSiMe₃ and Ph(2-furyl)CHSiMe₃ and some of their derivatives with a substituent in the m- or p-position of the phenyl group or the 5-position of the heterocyclic group. The results indicate that the 2-thienyl and 2-furyl groups stabilize a carbanionic centre more effectively than a phenyl group, and the following approximate pK_a values can be derived: Ph₂CH₂, 33.4; Ph(2-thienyl)CH₂, 30.0; Ph(2-furyl)CH₂, 29.6; (2-thienyl)₂CH₂, 27.1. The effect of the 2-Cl substituent in the thiophen ring is close to that of the p-Cl substituent in the benzene ring, and the effects of the p-Me substituents on the benzene ring are very close to those of the 2-Me substituents on the thiophen or furan rings. The product and rate isotope effects (determined by use of MeOD) are consistent with separation of the carbanion in the rate-determining step.     

Micellar-mediated shifts of ionization constants of amino acids and peptides

The acid-base dissociation constants, K_a, of amino acids and small peptides were determined in both aqueous and micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide by potentiometric and chromatographic means. The observed differences in pK_a values between micellar media and aqueous solutions ranged between 0.23 and 2.21 units. The micellar-mediated pK_a shifts can be attributed to different solute-micelle interactions, mainly hydrophobic and electrostatic forces. The implications of the change in acid-base behavior on separation selectivity in micellar liquid chromatography and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography are discussed.     

Potentiometric and spectrophotometric pKa determination of water-insoluble compounds: validation study in a new cosolvent system

In this paper the validation of pK_a determination in MDM-water mixtures is presented. The MDM-water mixture is a new multicomponent cosolvent mixture (consisting of equal volumes of methanol, dioxane and acetonitrile, as organic solvents) that dissolves a wide range of poorly water-soluble compounds. The cosolvent dissociation constants (p_sK_a) of 50 chemically diverse compounds (acids, bases and ampholytes) were measured in 15-56 wt% MDM-water mixtures by potentiometric or spectrophotometric titration and the aqueous pK_a values obtained by extrapolation. Three different extrapolation procedures were compared in order to choose the best extrapolation in MDM-water mixture using a sub-set of 30 water-soluble compounds. The extrapolated results are in good agreement with pK_a values measured in aqueous medium. No significant difference was found among these extrapolation procedures thus the widely used Yasuda-Shedlovsky plot was proposed for MDM cosolvent also. Further we also present that the single point estimation based on measurement in 20%/v MDM-mixture using a general calibration equation may be suitable for rapid pK_a determination in the early phase of drug research.     

Fluorinated phenylcyclopropylamines: Part 6. Effects of electron withdrawing or donating aryl substituents on the inhibition of tyramine oxidase from Arthrobacter sp. by diastereomeric 2-aryl-2-fluoro-cyclopropylamines

Diastereomeric arylcyclopropylamines substituted with fluorine in the 2-position and with electron donating or electron withdrawing groups at the aromatic ring were evaluated as inhibitors of microbial tyramine oxidase. The trans-isomers were consistently more potent inhibitors of the enzyme than the cis-isomers. Electron donating substituents increased the potency of tyramine oxidase inhibition, while electron withdrawing substituents decreased the activity. The results obtained are discussed in terms of pK_a and log D values of the inhibitors as well as the mechanism of action of tranylcypromines and the geometry of the active site of the enzyme.