Dynamic surface tension behavior in a photoresponsive surfactant system

The surface properties of a nonionic photoresponsive surfactant that incorporates the light-sensitive azobenzene group into its tail have been investigated. Cis-trans photoisomerization of this azobenzene group alters the ability of the surfactant to pack into adsorbed monolayers at an air/water interface or into aggregates in solution, thereby causing a significant variation in surface and bulk properties following a change in the illumination conditions. NMR studies indicate that a solution left in the dark for an extended period of time contains the trans isomer almost exclusively, whereas samples exposed to light of fixed wavelength eventually reach a photostationary equilibrium in which significant amounts of both isomers are present. At concentrations well above the cmc but under different illumination conditions (dark, UV light, visible light), freshly formed surfaces exhibit profoundly different surface tension trajectories as they approach essentially identical equilibrium states. This common equilibrium state corresponds to a surface saturated with the trans (more surface active) isomer. The dark sample shows a simple, single-step relaxation in surface tension after the creation of a fresh interface, whereas the UV and visible samples exhibit a more rapid initial decrease in tension, followed by a plateau of nearly constant tension, and finally end with a second relaxation to equilibrium. It is hypothesized that this behavior of the UV and visible samples is caused by competitive adsorption between the cis and trans isomers present in these mixtures. The cis surfactant reaches the interface more quickly, leading to an initially cis-dominated interface having a tension value corresponding to the intermediate plateau, but is ultimately displaced by the trans isomer. Fluorescence studies are used for cmc determination in the samples, and the results suggest that the two isomers segregate into distinct aggregate phases. The critical concentration associated with the formation of cis-rich aggregates is much larger than that of the trans-rich aggregates, which accounts for the faster diffusion of the cis isomer to a fresh interface. Models of the diffusion and adsorption of surfactant are developed. These consider the role of aggregates in the adsorption process by examining the limiting behavior of three aggregate properties: dissolution rate, mobility, and ability to incorporate into the interface. These models are used to analyze the surface tension relaxation of dark and UV samples, and the predictions are found to be in agreement with the observed characteristic relaxation time scales for these samples, though the results are inconclusive regarding the specific role of aggregates. High-intensity illumination focused on a surface saturated with surfactant is used to drive photoisomerization of the adsorbed surfactant, and rapid, substantial changes in surface tension result. These changes are consistent with proposed conformations of the adsorbed surfactant and with monolayer studies performed with a Langmuir film balance.     

Synthesis and Surface-Active Properties of New Photosensitive Surfactants Containing the Azobenzene Group

Several water-soluble cationic surfactants, 4-alkylazobenzene-4'-(oxy-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium methylsulfate (AZMS) (AZMS-0, AZMS-1, AZMS-2, AZMS-4, and AZMS-8), containing alkylglycidylether and azoarene have been synthesized with high yields of 63-78% and their surface-active properties have been investigated upon irradiation with UV/vis light. All of the trans-AZMS surfactants are isomerized to cis-trans mixtures containing 92.5% cis isomer by UV light irradiation at 350 nm. The cis isomers in the mixtures are reverted to trans isomers by visible light irradiation (lambda>445 nm). Such photoisomerization induces changes in the surface activity of each surfactant. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the trans form of AZMS-8 surfactant is about 1.28x10(-4) mol/l. At the photostationary state, 92.5% of the trans form is changed to the cis form which exhibits a slightly higher cmc (3.41x10(-4) mol/l). The new cmc of AZMS surfactants upon photoisomerization is similar to that of the ideal mixed micellar system. In particular, the ratio of cmc(cis) to cmc(trans) of AZMS derivatives is about 1.87-2.85 which increases proportionally with the chain length of alkyl group. The minimum average area per molecule (A(min)(a/w)) for the trans and cis isomers of AZMS-8 is 0.60 and 0.74 nm(2), respectively. The difference in the A(min)(a/w) may originate from the structural differences in the two isomers. These values are quite different as compared to those of the conventional azobenzene surfactants. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Photofoams: remote control of foam destabilization by exposure to light using an azobenzene surfactant

We report evidence for photocontrolled stability and breakage of aqueous foams made from solutions of a cationic azobenzene-containing surfactant over a wide range of concentrations. Exposure to UV or visible lights results in shape and polarity switches in the surfactant molecule, which in turn affects several properties including critical micelle concentration, equilibrium surface tension, and the air-water interfacial composition (cis isomers are displaced by trans ones). We demonstrate that the trans isomer stabilizes foams, whereas the cis isomer forms unstable foams, a property that does not correlate with effects of light on surface tension, nor with total surfactant concentration. Achieving in situ breakage of foam is accordingly ascribed to the remote control of the dynamics of adsorption/desorption of the surfactant, accompanied by gradients of concentrations out of equilibrium. Photomodulation of adsorption kinetics and/or diffusion dynamics on interfaces is reached here by a noninvasive clean trigger, bringing a new tool for the study of foams.     

Spectroscopic Characterization of the Geminal Isomer of Lewisite

Abstract

Lewisite is generally a mixture of several components with the trans isomer of lewisite being the predominant compound. A geminal isomer has not been previously reported as one of the components of the mixture. In the lewisite samples we examined, the geminal isomer, dichloro(l-chlorovinyl)arsine, comprised 2.7 per cent of the total material compared to 95.2 and less than 1 per cent, respectively, for the trans and cis isomers. The remaining fraction was not identified. The geminal isomer of lewisite has been characterized along with the trans and cis isomers using several spectroscopic techniques. Proton NMR of the geminal isomer produced a coupling constant consistent with vinylic protons in a geminal configuration. Mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy characterizations were based on an ethanedithiol derivative of the lewisite isomers with gas chromatography used to first separate the derivatized isomers. The electron ionization massspectra of the trans and cis derivatives were very similar, but significant differences were observed in the mass spectrum of the geminal form. Infrared absorption spectra were obtained for the trans and geminal derivatives with significant differences observed between the two, but the method was not sensitive enough to detect the cis isomer.

     

Small-angle neutron scattering from mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate and a cationic, bolaform surfactant containing azobenzene

This paper reports on the microstructures formed in aqueous solutions containing mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and a photosensitive, bolaform surfactant, bis(trimethylammoniumhexyloxy)azobenzene dibromide (BTHA). By using quasi-elastic light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering, we determined that aqueous solutions containing SDS and the trans isomer of BTHA (0.1 wt % total surfactant, 15 mol % BTHA, 85 mol % SDS) form vesicles with average hydrodynamic diameters of 1350 +/- 50 angstroms and bilayer thicknesses of 35 +/- 2 angstroms. The measured bilayer thickness is consistent with a model of the vesicle bilayer in which the trans isomer of BTHA spans the bilayer. Upon illumination with UV light, the BTHA underwent photoisomerization to produce a cis-rich photostationary state (80% cis isomer). We measured this photoisomerization to drive the reorganization of vesicles into cylindrical aggregates with cross-sectional radii of 19 +/- 3 angstroms and average hydrodynamic diameters of 240 +/- 50 angstroms. Equilibration of the cis-rich solution in the dark at 25 degrees C for 12 h or illumination of the solution with visible light leads to the recovery of the trans-rich photostationary state of the solution and the reformation of vesicles, thus demonstrating the potential utility of this system as the basis of a tunable fluid.     

Crosslinking investigation of polybutadiene thermal degradation by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance

Thermal degradation of polybutadiene (PBD) in anaerobic atmosphere at 250 °C had been studied by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C NMR) before complete crosslinking. In this investigation four types of low molecular weight PBD with different 1,2-vinyl isomer content had been chosen, then pure and mixed samples of PBD were heated in different time periods. ¹³C NMR spectra showed that two kinds of crosslinking mechanisms occur that both of them produce methyl groups. The first mechanism is a reaction between 1,2-vinyl isomers of two PBD chains, and the second one occurs between 1,2-vinyl isomer of one chain via methylene carbon of cis or trans isomer in another chain. Also ¹³C NMR results showed that the presence of 1,2-vinyl isomer in the PBD structure is necessary and without it none of the mentioned reactions will occur. Furthermore isomers sequence is another important parameter which affects crosslinking. Results show that cis or trans isomer which is not adjacent to 1,2-vinyl isomer does not take part in crosslinking reaction. Moreover such cis or trans isomer can take part in second mechanism of crosslinking that 1,2-vinyl isomer was attached from head to cis or trans isomer, thus in this arrangement of isomers second mechanism of crosslinking will become dominant rather than first mechanism of crosslinking.     

1.1](3,3')-azobenzenophane: novel crystal structure and cis-trans isomerization of distorted azobenzene

[formula: see text] [1.1](3,3')-Azobenzenophane, in which two azobenzenes are cyclically connected by -CH2- chains at the meta positions, has been synthesized. The crystal structures of all isomers have been revealed. This is the first report on the crystal structure of the cis isomer of macrocyclic azobenzenes. The trans,trans isomer was slightly distorted, the trans,cis isomer highly deformed, and the cis,cis isomer unstrained. The thermal stability of cis isomers in solutions are deducible from the crystal structures.     

Effect of light on self-assembly of aqueous mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate and a cationic, bolaform surfactant containing azobenzene

We report light and small-angle neutron scattering measurements that characterize microstructures formed in aqueous surfactant solutions (up to 1.0 wt % surfactant) containing mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the light-sensitive bolaform surfactant, bis(trimethylammoniumhexyloxy)azobenzene dibromide (BTHA) as a function of composition, equilibration time, and photostationary state (i.e., solutions rich in cis-BTHA or trans-BTHA). We observed formation of vesicles in both SDS-rich and trans-BTHA-rich regions of the microstructure diagram, with vesicles present over a particularly broad range of compositions for trans-BTHA-rich solutions. Illumination of mixtures of BTHA and SDS with a broadband UV light source leads to formation of photostationary states where the fraction of BTHA present as cis isomer (75-80% cis-BTHA) is largely independent of the mixing ratio of SDS and BTHA. For a relatively limited set of mixing ratios of SDS and BTHA, we observed UV illumination of SDS-rich vesicles to result in the reversible transformation of the vesicles to micellar aggregates and UV illumination of BTHA-rich vesicles to result in irreversible precipitation. Surprisingly, however, for many mixtures of trans-BTHA and SDS that formed solutions containing vesicles, illumination with UV light (which was confirmed to lead to photoisomerization of BTHA) resulted in only a small decrease in the number of vesicles in solution, relatively little change in the sizes of the remaining vesicles, and coexistance of the vesicles with micelles. These observations are consistent with a physical model in which the trans and cis isomers of BTHA present at the photostationary state tend to segregate between the different microstructures coexisting in solution (e.g., vesicles rich in trans-BTHA and SDS coexist with micelles rich in cis-BTHA and SDS). The results presented in this paper provide guidance for the design of light-tunable surfactants systems.     

cis,cis- and trans,trans-ceratospongamide, new bioactive cyclic heptapeptides from the Indonesian red alga Ceratodictyon spongiosum and symbiotic sponge Sigmadocia symbiotica

Chemical investigation of the marine red alga (Rhodophyta) Ceratodictyon spongiosum containing the symbiotic sponge Sigmadocia symbiotica collected from Biaro Island, Indonesia, yielded two isomers of a new and bioactive thiazole-containing cyclic heptapeptide, cis,cis-ceratospongamide (1) and trans, trans-ceratospongamide (2). Isolation of these peptides was assisted by bioassay-guided fractionation using a brine shrimp toxicity assay (Artemia salina). The structures of the ceratospongamides, which each consist of two L-phenylalanine residues, one (L-isoleucine)-L-methyloxazoline residue, one L-proline residue, and one (L-proline)thiazole residue, were established through extensive NMR spectroscopy, including (1)H-(13)C HMQC-TOCSY, and (1)H-(15)N HMBC experiments, as well as chemical degradation and chiral analysis. cis,cis- and trans,trans-ceratospongamide are stable conformational isomers of the two proline amide bonds. Molecular modeling of these two ceratospongamide isomers showed the trans, trans isomer to be quite planar, whereas the cis,cis isomer has a more puckered overall conformation. trans,trans-Ceratospongamide exhibits potent inhibition of sPLA(2) expression in a cell-based model for antiinflammation (ED(50) 32 nM), whereas the cis,cis isomer is inactive. trans,trans-Ceratospongamide was also shown to inhibit the expression of a human-sPLA(2) promoter-based reporter by 90%.     

Light-driven molecular hinge: a new molecular machine showing a light-intensity-dependent photoresponse that utilizes the trans-cis isomerization of azobenzene

[reaction: see text] A new class of molecular machine exhibits a hingelike motion upon photoirradiation. The motion (close and open) can be operated by alternate irradiation with UV and visible light. The trans/trans and cis/cis isomers are thermally stable at 40 degrees C, and the photochemical closure reaction (from trans/trans to cis/cis isomer) is dependent on the intensity of the light used because of the short-lived intermediate (trans/cis isomer).     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing 2-pyridineformamide- and 2-benzoylpyridine-derived thiosemicarbazones and PPh3: NMR and electrochemical studies of cis-trans-isomerization

[RuCl(L)(PPh(3))(2)] complexes with 2-benzoylpyridine- and 2-pyridineformamide-derived thiosemicarbazones (HL) were obtained and fully characterized. The complexes form cis-trans isomers. The cis isomer is disfavored by the sterical effect of two bulky groups close to each other whereas the trans isomer is disfavored by the electronic effect of competition of two phosphorous for pi-bonding d orbitals of the metal. Our results suggest that, although both factors may be operating simultaneously, in CH(2)Cl(2) solution the balance of these counterpoising effects favors the formation of the trans isomer.     

Symmetry control of radiative decay in linear polyenes: low barriers for isomerization in the S1 state of hexadecaheptaene

The room temperature absorption and emission spectra of the 4-cis and all-trans isomers of 2,4,6,8,10,12,14-hexadecaheptaene are almost identical, exhibiting the characteristic dual emissions S1-->S0 (21Ag- --> 11Ag-) and S2-->S0 (11Bu+ --> 11Ag-) noted in previous studies of intermediate length polyenes and carotenoids. The ratio of the S1-->S0 and S2-->S0 emission yields for the cis isomer increases by a factor of approximately 15 upon cooling to 77 K in n-pentadecane. In contrast, for the trans isomer this ratio shows a 2-fold decrease with decreasing temperature. These results suggest a low barrier for conversion between the 4-cis and all-trans isomers in the S1 state. At 77 K, the cis isomer cannot convert to the more stable all-trans isomer in the 21Ag- state, resulting in the striking increase in its S1-->S0 fluorescence. These experiments imply that the S1 states of longer polyenes have local energy minima, corresponding to a range of conformations and isomers, separated by relatively low (2-4 kcal) barriers. Steady state and time-resolved optical measurements on the S1 states in solution thus may sample a distribution of conformers and geometric isomers, even for samples represented by a single, dominant ground state structure. Complex S1 potential energy surfaces may help explain the complicated S2-->S1 relaxation kinetics of many carotenoids. The finding that fluorescence from linear polyenes is so strongly dependent on molecular symmetry requires a reevaluation of the literature on the radiative properties of all-trans polyenes and carotenoids.     

Direct Measurements for Isomer Ratio of Retinal in Bacteriorhodopsin by an Electrochemical Method

Abstract— The composition of retinal isomers in bacteriorhodopsin (bR) in purple membrane (PM) was determined by photoelectric response measurements using a sandwich-type electrochemical cell. The measured amplitude of the photocurrent obtained from a dark-adapted sample was 55% lower than that from a light-adapted sample. This ratio, 55:45, would correspond to the 13- cis /aU- trans isomer ratio of retinal in the dark if the 13- cis form of the pigment did not give a response. This amplitude change correlated with the visible spectral shift of bR. The isomer ratio in the dark depended only weakly on the temperature of the electrolyte, whereas the retinal isomerization rate strongly depended on the temperature and the pH of the electrolyte in the cell. Our results indicate that photoelectric response is elicited only by a species originating from bR containing all- trans retinal and that the behavior of the response in the dark is associated with the pKa of the proton release kinetics of Asp-85.     

Molecular structure of the trans and cis isomers of metal-free phthalocyanine studied by gas-phase electron diffraction and high-level quantum chemical calculations: NH tautomerization and calculated vibrational frequencies

The molecular structure of the trans isomer of metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) is determined using the gas electron diffraction (GED) method and high-level quantum chemical calculations. B3LYP calculations employing the basis sets 6-31G**, 6-311++G**, and cc-pVTZ give two tautomeric isomers for the inner H atoms, a trans isomer having D2h symmetry and a cis isomer having C2v symmetry. The trans isomer is calculated to be 41.6 (B3LYP/6-311++G**, zero-point corrected) and 37.3 kJ/mol (B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, not zero-point corrected) more stable than the cis isomer. However, Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations using different basis sets predict that cis is preferred and that trans does not exist as a stable form of the molecule. The equilibrium composition in the gas phase at 471 degrees C (the temperature of the GED experiment) calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level is 99.8% trans and 0.2% cis. This is in very good agreement with the GED data, which indicate that the mole fraction of the cis isomer is close to zero. The transition states for two mechanisms of the NH tautomerization have been characterized. A concerted mechanism where the two H atoms move simultaneously yields a transition state of D2h symmetry and an energy barrier of 95.8 kJ/mol. A two-step mechanism where a trans isomer is converted to a cis isomer, which is converted into another trans isomer, proceeds via two transition states of C(s) symmetry and an energy barrier of 64.2 kJ/mol according to the B3LYP/6-311++G** calculation. The molecular geometry determined from GED is in very good agreement with the geometry obtained from the quantum chemical calculations. Vibrational frequencies, IR, and Raman intensities have been calculated using B3LYP/6-311++G**. These calculations indicate that the molecule is rather flexible with six vibrational frequencies in the range of 20-84 cm(-1) for the trans isomer. The cis isomer might be detected by infrared matrix spectroscopy since the N-H stretching frequencies are very different for the two isomers.     

Three- and four-center trans effects in triply bonded ditungsten complexes: an ab initio molecular dynamics study of compounds with stoichiometry W2Cl4(NHEt)2(PMe3)2

We have performed ab initio molecular dynamics simulations based on density functional theory to characterize the structural, electronic, and dynamic properties of the three major isomeric forms of the title compound. In agreement with experimental results, calculations with two different parametrizations of the exchange-correlation functional (BLYP and BP) both indicate the cis-C2 form as the most stable isomer. The relative energies of the different forms are, however, small (less than approximately 1-2 kcal/mol), and the three compounds show overall very similar ground-state properties. Larger differences exist in their finite temperature behavior, which is dominated by the facile dissociation of one or both phosphine ligands. The calculated activation energies for phosphine dissociation differ clearly for the trans and the cis isomers and vary in the order trans < cis-C2 less than approximately cis-Ci. Analysis of the electronic structure of the transition states shows that the difference in activation energy between cis and trans isomers can be rationalized in terms of a classic trans effect caused by a molecular orbital spanning the three atomic centers N-W-P. The subtle difference between the two cis isomers, on the other hand, is likely due to an analogous four-center trans effect N-W-W-P which is mediated via metal-metal orbitals and involves ligands on both tungsten atoms.     

Counter-current chromatographic estimation of hydrophobicity of Z-(cis) and E-(trans) enalapril and kinetics of cis/trans isomerization

The kinetics of Z-(cis)/E-(trans) isomerization of enalapril was investigated by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using a monolith ODS column under a series of different temperature and pH conditions. At a neutral pH 7, the rate (k(obs)) of Z-(cis)/E-(trans) isomerization of enalapril at 4 degrees C (9.4 x 10(-3)min(-1)) is much lower than at 23 degrees C (1.8 x 10(-1)min(-1)), while the fractional concentration of Z-(cis) isomer is always higher than that of E-(trans) isomer in the pH range 2-7. The fractional concentration of the E-(trans) isomer becomes a maximum (about 40%) in the pH range 3-6, where enalapril exists as a zwitterion. The hydrophobicity (logP(O/W)) of both isomers was estimated by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). Normal phase HSCCC separation using a tert-butyl methyl ether-acetonitrile-20mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 5) two-phase solvent system (2:2:3, v/v/v) at 4 degrees C was effective in partially separating the isomers, and the partition coefficient (K) of each isomer was directly calculated from the retention volume (V(R)). The logP(O/W) values of Z-(cis) and E-(trans) isomers were -0.46 and -0.65, respectively.     

Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, electronic structure, and isomerization of mononuclear oxo-molybdenum(V) complexes: the serine gate hypothesis in the function of DMSO reductases

Crystal structures of DMSO reductases isolated from two different sources and the crystal structure of related trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase indicate that the angle between the terminal oxo atom on the molybdenum and the serinato oxygen varies significantly. To understand the significance of this angular variation, we have synthesized two isomeric compounds of the heteroscorpionato ligand (L1OH) (cis- and trans-(L1O)Mo(V)OCl(2)), where the phenolic oxygen mimics the serinato oxygen donor. Density functional and semiempirical calculations indicate that the trans isomer is more stable than the cis. The lower stability of the cis isomer can be attributed to two factors. First, a strong antibonding interaction between the phenolic oxygen with molybdenum d(xy) orbital raises the energy of this orbital. Second, the strong trans influence of the terminal oxo group in the trans isomer places the phenol ring, and hence the bulky tertiary butyl group, in a less sterically hindered position. In solution, the cis isomer spontaneously converts to the thermodynamically favorable trans isomer. This geometric transformation follows a first-order process, with an enthalpy of activation of 20 kcal/mol and an entropy of activation of -9 cal/mol K. Computational analysis at the semiempirical level supports a twist mechanism as the most favorable pathway for the geometric transformation. The twist mechanism is further supported by detailed mass spectral data collected in the presence of excess tetraalkylammonium salts. Both the cis and trans isomers exhibit well-defined one-electron couples due to the reduction of molybdenum(V) to molybdenum(IV), with the cis isomer being more difficult to reduce. Both isomers also exhibit oxidative couples because of the oxidation of molybdenum(V) to molybdenum(VI), with the cis isomer being easier to oxidize. This electrochemical behavior is consistent with a higher-energy redox orbital in the cis isomer, which has been observed computationally. Collectively, this investigation demonstrates that by changing the O(t)-Mo-O(p) angle, the reduction potential can be modulated. This geometrically controlled modulation may play a gating role in the electron-transfer process during the regeneration steps in the catalytic cycle.     

A structural and theoretical investigation of equatorial cis and trans uranyl phosphinimine and uranyl phosphine oxide complexes UO2Cl2(Cy3PNH)2 and UO2Cl2(Cy3PO)2

Phosphinimine ligands (Cy3PNH) readily react with UO2Cl2(THF)3 (THF=tetrahydrofuran) to give UO2Cl2(Cy3PNH)2, which contains strong U-N interactions and exists as cis and trans isomers in the solid and solution state. Solution NMR experiments and computational analysis both support the trans form as the major isomer in solution, although the cis isomer becomes more stabilized with an increase in the dielectric constant of the solvent. Mayer bond orders, energy decomposition analysis, and examination of the molecular orbitals and total electron densities support a more covalent bonding interaction in the U-NHPCy3 bond compared with the analogous bond of the related U-OPCy3 compounds.     

含绿色荧光蛋白发色团双自由基分子的非线性光学性质

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)方法研究了系列含绿色荧光蛋白发色团双自由基分子光学异构体的几何结构、极化率(αs)和第一超极化率(βtot).结果表明,引入电子给受体取代基使分子的极化率增大,而对第一超极化率有不同影响.对于光照前的反式结构,引入电子受体βtot值增加,且βtot值随取代基吸电子能力的增强而增大;引入电子给体βtot值降低,且βtot值随取代基给电子能力的增强而减小.当分子变成相应的顺式结构时,其βtot值变化趋势与反式结构的结果正好相反.光异构化前后分子的βtot值变化不同,引入电子受体使顺式结构的βtot值比反式结构的小,其中―NO2使顺式结构的βtot值减小为反式结构的1/6;引入电子给体使反式结构的βtot值比顺式结构的小,其中―NH2使反式结构的βtot值减小为顺式结构的1/6.从而,光异构化起到调节非线性光学(NLO)响应的作用.     

Antioxidant activity of hydroxystilbene derivatives in homogeneous solution

The antioxidant activity of the cis and trans isomers of several analogues of resveratrol and pterostilbene has been investigated, especially with regard to the effect of the stereochemistry about the olefinic double bond. The antioxidant power of these compounds was estimated by measuring the rate constants for their reactions with peroxyl radicals and, with two of them, the bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of the phenolic O-H bond which is cleaved in the inhibition reaction. The present data show that in homogeneous solution the various hydroxystilbenes investigated behave as mild antioxidants with the notable exceptions of the trans isomer of 4 and 6, whose activities are only slightly lower than that of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). The rate constants of the inhibition reaction show that the antioxidant activity of the cis-hydroxystilbene is in all the examined cases worse, by a factor ranging between 2 and 6, than that of the corresponding trans isomers. This lower reactivity depends on enthalpy factors as it can be inferred by the experimental values of the O-H bond dissociation enthalpy in the two geometric isomers of 3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxystilbene showing that the strength of the O-H bond in the cis isomer is larger by 1.8 kcal/mol. DFT calculations provide a rationalization of this result, indicating that, although the cis geometry implies a destabilization with respect to the trans species of both phenoxyl radical and parent hydroxystilbene, the destabilization of the radical is larger because the folding of the structure strongly reduces the delocalization of the unpaired electron on the styryl group. A comparison of these results with previously reported data on the proapoptotic activity of these stilbenoids suggests that these two properties are not correlated.