External-Radiation-Induced Local Hydroxylation Enables Remote Release of Functional Molecules in Tumors

Radiation-induced cleavage for controlled release in vivo is yet to be established. We demonstrate the use of 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl carbamate (DHBC) as a masking group that is selectively and efficiently removed by external radiation in vitro and in vivo. DHBC reacts mainly with hydroxyl radicals produced by radiation to afford hydroxylation at para/ortho positions, followed by 1,4- or 1,6-elimination to rescue the functionality of the client molecule. The reaction is rapid and can liberate functional molecules under physiological conditions. This controlled-release platform is compatible with living systems, as demonstrated by the release of a rhodol fluorophore derivative in cells and tumor xenografts. The combined benefits of the robust caging group, the good release yield, and the independence of penetration depth make DHBC derivatives attractive chemical caging moieties for use in chemical biology and prodrug activation.     

Revisiting the Intriguing Electronic Features of the BeOBeC Carbyne and Some Isomers: A Quantum-Chemical Assessment

Extensive high-level quantum-chemical calculations reveal that the rod-shaped molecule BeOBeC, which was recently generated in matrix experiments, exists in two nearly isoenergetic states, the ⁵Σ quintet (⁵ 6 ) and the ³Σ triplet (³ 6 ). Their IR features are hardly distinguishable at finite temperature. The major difference concerns the mode of spin coupling between the terminal beryllium and carbon atoms. Further, the ground-state potential-energy surface of the [2Be,C,O] system at 4 K is presented and differences between the photochemical and thermal behaviors are highlighted. Finally, a previously not considered, so far unknown C_2v-symmetric rhombus-like four-membered ring ³[Be(O)(C)Be] (³ 5 ) is predicted to represent the global minimum on the potential-energy surface.     

DMSO-Enabled Selective Radical O−H Activation of 1,3(4)-Diols

Control of selectivity is one of the central topics in organic chemistry. Although unprecedented alkoxyl-radical-induced transformations have drawn a lot of attention, compared to selective C−H activation, selective radical O−H activation remains less explored. Herein, we report a novel selective radical O−H activation strategy of diols by combining spatial effects with proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). It was found that DMSO is an essential reagent that enables the regioselective transformation of diols. Mechanistic studies indicated the existence of the alkoxyl radical and the selective interaction between DMSO and hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the distal C−C cleavage was realized by this selective alkoxyl-radical-initiation protocol.     

Degradation of Structurally Defined Graphene Nanoribbons by Myeloperoxidase and the Photo-Fenton Reaction

As an emerging member of the graphene family, structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have shown promising applications in various fields. The evaluation of the degradability of GNRs is particularly important for assessing the persistence level and risk of these materials in living organisms and the environment. However, there is a void in the study of the degradation of GNRs. Here, we report the degradation behavior of GNRs in the presence of human myeloperoxidase (hMPO) or treated with the photo-Fenton (PF) reaction. With the assistance of potassium hydroxide or imidazole, which facilitates the dispersion of GNRs in the aqueous solution, GNRs underwent only partial degradation after 25-hour incubation with hMPO, while, the PF reaction degraded GNRs almost completely after 120 hours. These results indicate that structurally precise GNRs can be efficiently degraded under suitable conditions, providing more opportunities for future applications in different fields.     

Independent Generation and Time-Resolved Detection of 2′-Deoxyguanosin-N2-yl Radicals

Guanine radicals are important reactive intermediates in DNA damage. Hydroxyl radical (HO^.) has long been believed to react with 2′-deoxyguanosine (dG) generating 2′-deoxyguanosin-N1-yl radical (dG(N1-H)^.) via addition to the nucleobase π-system and subsequent dehydration. This basic tenet was challenged by an alternative mechanism, in which the major reaction of HO^. with dG was proposed to involve hydrogen atom abstraction from the N2-amine. The 2′-deoxyguanosin-N2-yl radical (dG(N2-H)^.) formed was proposed to rapidly tautomerize to dG(N1-H)^.. We report the first independent generation of dG(N2-H)^. in high yield via photolysis of 1 . dG(N2-H)^. is directly observed upon nanosecond laser flash photolysis (LFP) of 1 . The absorption spectrum of dG(N2-H)^. is corroborated by DFT studies, and anti- and syn-dG(N2-H)^. are resolved for the first time. The LFP experiments showed no evidence for tautomerization of dG(N2-H)^. to dG(N1-H)^. within hundreds of microseconds. This observation suggests that the generation of dG(N1-H)^. via dG(N2-H)^. following hydrogen atom abstraction from dG is unlikely to be a major pathway when HO^. reacts with dG.     

Ferromagnetically Coupled S=1 Chains in Crystals of Verdazyl-Nitronyl Nitroxide Diradicals

Thermally stable organic diradicals with a triplet ground state along with large singlet-triplet energy gap have significant potential for advanced technological applications. A series of phenylene-bridged diradicals with oxoverdazyl and nitronyl nitroxide units were synthesized via a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of iodoverdazyls with a nitronyl nitroxide-2-ide gold(I) complex with high yields. The diradicals exhibit high stability and do not decompose in an inert atmosphere up to 180 °C. For the diradicals, both substantial AF (ΔE_ST≈−64 cm⁻¹) and FM (ΔE_ST≥25 and 100 cm⁻¹) intramolecular exchange interactions were observed. The sign of the exchange interaction is determined both by the bridging moiety (para- or meta-phenylene) and by the type of oxoverdazyl block (C-linked or N-linked). Upon crystallization, diradicals with the triplet ground state form unique one-dimensional exchange-coupled chains with strong intra- and weak inter-diradical ferromagnetic coupling.     

Relevance between the Chemical Structure Modifications and Physicochemical Descriptors of Chemical Reactivity for Series of Nitroxide Radicals

This work presents an experimental and theoretical study to address the chemical reactivity of series of nitroxide radicals. For that purpose two physicochemical properties: the half-wave potential and the hyperfine coupling constants of the nitrogen nuclei, were analyzed. Experimental values are compared with electronic structure calculations at the BHandHLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level. E_1/2 values were in good agreement with the adiabatic ionization potential when including the solvent effects by the Cramer and Truhlar Solvation Model. Preeliminar experimental electron spin deslocalization studies suggest that structural hindrance plays an important role in their deslocatization mechanism.     

Transition from π Radicals to σ Radicals: Substituent‐Tuned Cyclization of Hydrazonyl Radicals

Hydrazonyl radicals are known for their π‐electronic structures; however, their σ‐electronic structures have not been reported as yet. Herein, we show that readily accessible β,γ‐ and γ,δ‐unsaturated N‐trichloroacetyl and N‐trifluoroacetyl hydrazones can be conveniently converted into hydrazonyl σ radicals, which subsequently undergo 5‐exo‐trig radical cyclization at the N¹ or N² atom to form pyrazolines and azomethine imines, respectively.     

Acid‐Catalyzed Oxidative Radical Addition of Ketones to Olefins

Based on a mechanistic study, we have discovered a Brønsted acid catalyzed formation of ketone radicals. This is believed to proceed via thermally labile alkenyl peroxides formed in situ from ketones and hydroperoxides. The discovery could be utilized to develop a multicomponent radical addition of unactivated ketones and tert‐butyl hydroperoxide to olefins. The resulting γ‐peroxyketones are synthetically useful intermediates that can be further transformed into 1,4‐diketones, homoaldol products, and alkyl ketones. A one‐pot reaction yielding a pharmaceutically active pyrrole is also described.     

Arylphosphonylation and Arylazidation of Activated Alkenes

Two radical‐mediated processes of activated alkenes, namely arylphosphonylation and arylazidation, are described. The difunctionalization of alkenes by a tandem process that involves radical addition, 1,4‐aryl migration, and desulfonylation generates α‐aryl‐β‐heterofunctionalized amides bearing a quaternary stereocenter when the substituent on the nitrogen atom is an aryl group. Alternatively, heterooxindoles or spirobicycles can be obtained with excellent regioselectivity in the presence of an alkyl substituent on the nitrogen atom.