Electrocatalytic response of norepinephrine at a thiolactic acid self-assembled gold electrode

The thiolactic acid (TLA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode (TLA/Au) is demonstrated to catalyze the electrochemical response of norepinephrine (NE) by cyclic voltammetry. A pair of well-defined redox waves were obtained and the calculated standard rate constant (k_s) is 5.11×10⁻³ cm s⁻¹ at the self-assembled electrode. The electrode reaction is a pseudo-reversible process. The peak current and the concentration of NE are a linear relationship in the range of 4.0×10⁻⁵–2.0×10⁻³ mol l⁻¹. The detection limit is 2.0×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹. By ac impedance spectroscopy the apparent electron transfer rate constant (k_app) of Fe(CN)³⁻/Fe(CN)⁴⁻ at the TLA/Au electrode was obtained as 2.5×10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹.     

Use of poly(ester-sulfonic acid) film-coated electrodes as amperometric detectors in flow injection analysis

Within the past several years significant advances have been made towards the development and incorporation of chemically modified electrodes as selective detectors for high performance liquid chromatography and flow injection analysis. In many cases the chemically modified electrode systems closely approach the “ideal” detector specifications of chemical and mechanical stability along with a significant linear response region. This paper will discuss the characterization and incorporation of ionomeric poly(ester-sulfonic acid) coated electrodes as nonaqueous electrochemical detectors. The orientation of the electrodes in the detector system as well as the increased sensitivity levels to 10⁻¹⁰ g ml⁻¹ for cationic species and 10⁻⁹ g ml⁻¹ for neutral species will be presented. Also the applicability of the ionomer coated electrodes as nonelectrolyte detectors achieved a reproducible response with detection limits to 10⁻⁶ g ml⁻¹. Overall this system performed as well as, or better than, more specialized and expensive thin layer electrochemical detectors.     

Square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry of menadione (vitamin K(3))

Menadione (vitamin K₃) undergoes a reversible two-electron transfer involving the quinone structure in acidic medium. As demonstrated by using cyclic voltammetry, the reduced form is more strongly adsorbed than the oxidized one. Stripping voltammetry of an adsorbed layer has been applied to the determination of this molecule after preconcentration of the reduced compound and scanning the potential towards less negative values. Adsorption, which is highly effective when stirring is used, approaches an equilibrium process in quiescent solution, as evidenced by a loss of part of the adsorbed material when stirring is stopped. A square-wave mode has been selected owing to its high sensitivity (the current is 20 times that for the differential pulse mode), but also to its high scan-rate, which minimizes the slow desorption process occurring during the scan. A concentration range from 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 5 × 10⁻⁷ M is easily investigated, the detection limit being 1.3 × 10⁻¹⁰ M. The influence of several operational parameters has also been considered.     

Excess electrons as a probe for polar “fluid structure”

The transition of excess electrons from the quasi-free to the localized state in subcritical and supercritical ammonia vapour was observed in the density range from about 5.6 × 10⁻² to 1 × 10⁻¹ g/cm³. In the same density range, the Kirkwood correlation factory g as a measure of orientational correlation of ammonia molecules, has its strongest density dependence. From this fact and other experimental data on localized (solvated) electrons in sub- and super-critical ammonia, it is concluded that the excess electron is a proper probe to study polar fluid structure.     

Electron transfer in organometallic clusters : XI. Redox chemistry of M3(CO)12(M = Ru, Os) and PPh3 derivatives; mechanism of catalysed nucleophilic substitution

The generality of a two-electron reduction process involving an mechanism has been established for M₃(CO)₁₂ and M₃(CO)₁₂−n(PPh₃)_n (M = Ru, Os) clusters in all solvents. Detailed coulometric and spectral studies in CH₂Cl₂ provide strong evidence for the formation of an ‘opened’ M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ species the triangulo radical anions M₃(CO)₁₂^−· having a half-life of < 10⁻⁶ s in CH₂Cl₂. However, the electrochemical response is sensitive to the presence of water and is concentration dependent. An electrochemical response for “opened” M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ is only detected at low concentrations < 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ and under drybox conditions. The electroactive species ground at higher concentrations and in the presence of water M₃(CO)₁₁²⁻ and M₆(CO)₁₈²⁻ were confirmed by a study of the electrochemistry of these anions in CH₂Cl₂; HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is not a product. The couple [M₆(CO)₁₈]^−/2− is chemically reversible under certain conditions but oxidation of HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is chemically irreversible. Different electrochemical behaviour for Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is found when [PPN][X] (X = OAc⁻, Cl⁻) salts are supporting electrolytes. In these solutions formation of the ultimate electroactive species [μ-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₀]⁻ at the electrode is stopped under CO or at low temperatures but Ru₃(CO)₁₂^−· is still trapped by reversible attack by X presumably as [η¹-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₁]⁻. It is shown that electrode-initiated electron catalysed substitution of M₃(CO)₁₂ only takes place on the electrochemical timescale when M = Ru, but it is slow, inefficient and non-selective, whereas BPK-initiated nucleophilic substitution of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is only specific and fast in ether solvents particulary THF. Metal---metal bond cleavage is the most important influence on the rate and specificity of catalytic substitution by electron or [PPN]-initiation. The redox chemistry of M₃(CO)₁₂ clusters (M = Fe, Ru, Os) is a consequence of the relative rates of metal---metal bond dissociation, metal-metal bond strength and ligand dissociation and in many aspects resembles their photochemistry.     

Fingerprint patterns from laser-induced Azido photochemistry of spin-labeled photoaffinity ATP analogs in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

The photochemical reaction of azide derivatives induced by ultraviolet (UV) laser in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) is reported. A novel synthesized class of azide aromatic derivatives, spin-labeled photoaffinity non-nucleoside adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analogs which are useful probes in study of muscle contraction mechanism, is used in this investigation. In the negative ion MALDI spectra of these ATP analogs, “fingerprint” peaks corresponding to [M − 10 − 1]⁻, [M − 12 − 1]⁻, [M − 16 − 1]⁻, [M − 26 − 1]⁻, [M − 28 − 1]⁻, [M − 41 − 1]⁻, and [M − 42 − 1]⁻ were observed with relative intensities depending on the MALDI matrix. Only the [M − 16 − 1]⁻ is present in the similar mass spectra of the analog in which the azido group is replaced by a hydrogen. A model is suggested for the photochemical reactions of azide derivatives under UV laser irradiation. The photoreaction fingerprint information is diagnostically useful in characterization of azido compounds, especially for spin-labeled photoaffinity non-nucleoside ATP analogs.     

Enhancement of three-photon absorption cross-sections in a novel class of symmetrical charge transfer fluorene-based molecules

The three-photon absorption effect (3PA) of two novel symmetrical charge transfer fluorene-based molecules (abbreviated as BASF and BMOSF) has been determined by using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser pumped with 38 ps pulses at 1064 nm in DMF. The measured 3PA cross-sections are 84 × 10⁻⁷⁸ and 114 × 10⁻⁷⁸ cm⁶ s², respectively. The geometries and electronic excitations of these two molecules are systematically studied by PM3 and ZINDO/S methods. The relationships between 3PA cross-sections and intramolecular charge transfer are discussed micromechanically. The experimental and theoretical results have shown that the larger intramolecular charge transfer, which was characterized by the charge density difference between the ground state (S₀) and the first excited state (S₁), the greater enhancement of the 3PA cross-sections.     

Electric magnetic resonance and spectrophotometry evidence on the photodynamic activity of a new perylenequinonoid pigment

Di-cysteine substituted hypocrellin B (DCHB) is a new water-soluble photosensitizer with significantly enhanced red absorption at wavelengths longer than 600 nm over the parent compound hypocrellin B (HB). The photosensitizing properties (Type I and/or Type II mechanisms) of DCHB have been investigated in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and aqueous solution (pH 7.4) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spectrophotometric methods. In anaerobic DMSO solution, the semiquinone anion radical of DCHB (DCHB^•−) is predominantly photoproduced via self-electron transfer between excited- and ground-state DCHB species. The presence of an electron donor significantly promotes the formation of the reduced form of DCHB. When a deoxygenated aqueous solution of DCHB and an electron donor are irradiated with 532 nm light, the hydroquinone of DCHB (DCHBH₂) is formed via the disproportionation of the first-formed DCHB^•− and second electron transfer to DCHB^•− from the electron donor. When oxygen is present, singlet oxygen (¹O₂), superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−) and hydroxyl radical (^•OH) are produced. The quantum yield of ¹O₂ generation by DCHB photosensitization is estimated to be 0.54 using Rose Bengal as a reference, a little lower than that of HB (0.76). The superoxide anion radical is also significantly enhanced by the presence of electron donors. Moreover, (O₂^•−) upon disproportionation generated H₂O₂ and ultimately the highly reactive ^•OH via the Haber-Weiss reaction pathway. The efficiency of (O₂^•−) generation by DCHB is obviously enhanced over that of HB. These findings suggest that the photodynamic actions of DCHB may proceed via Type I and Type II mechanisms and that this new photosensitizer retains photosensitizing activity after photodynamic therapy-oriented chemical modification.     

Simultaneous flow injection determination of calcium and fluoride in natural and borehole water with conventional ion-selective electrodes in series

An on-line automated system for the simultaneous flow injection determination of calcium and fluoride in natural and borehole water with conventional calcium-selective and fluoride-selective membrane electrodes as sensors in series is described. Samples (30 μl) are injected into a TISAB II (pH=5.50) carrier solution as an ionic strength adjustment buffer. The sample-buffer zone formed is first channeled to a fluoride-selective membrane electrode and then via the calcium-selective membrane electrode to the reference electrodes. The system is suitable for the simultaneous on-site monitoring of calcium (linear range 10⁻⁵–10⁻² mol l⁻¹ detection limit 1.94×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ recovery 99.22%, RSD<0.5%) and fluoride (linear range 10⁻⁵–10⁻² mol l⁻¹ detection limit 4.83×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ recovery 98.63%, RSD=0.3%) at a sampling rate of 60 samples h⁻¹.     

Phosphorescence of biacetyl sensitized by benzene in gas phase pulse radiolysis

The phophorescence of biacetyl induced by an energy transfer to biacetyl from triplet benzene produced in the pulse radiolysis of benzene-biacetyl mixtures has been studied. The time required to reach the maximum intensity of phosphorescence, t_max, after the electron pulse, varies as a function of biacetyl pressure at constant benzene pressure (40 torr), which gives the lifetime of triplet benzene τ = (6.7 ± 3.2) × 10⁻⁶ s and the rate constant of the energy transfer k_{C6H6^*(T1) + biacetyl} = (1.6 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the reaction CF3 + NO + M → CF3NO + M from 0.5 to 12 Torr and from 253 to 373 K

The kinetics of the association reaction of CF₃ with NO was studied as a function of temperature near the low-pressure limit, using pulsed laser photolysis and time-resolved mass spectrometry. CF₃ radicals were generated by photolysis of CF₃I at 248 nm and the kinetics was determined by monitoring the time-resolved formation of CF₃NO. The bimolecular rate constants were measured from 0.5 to 12 Torr, using nitrogen as the buffer gas. The results are in very good agreement with recent data published by Vakhtin and Petrov, obtained at room temperature in a higher pressure range and, therefore, the two studies are quite complementary. A RRKM model was developed for fitting all the data, including those of Vakhtin and Petrov and for extrapolating the experimental results to the low- and high-pressure limits. The rate expressions obtained are the following: k₁(0) = (3.2 ± 0.8) × 10⁻²⁹ (T/298)^{−(3.4±0.6)} cm⁶ molecule⁻² s⁻¹ for nitrogen used as the bath gas and k₁(∞) = (2.0 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹¹ (T/298)^(0±1) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. RRKM calculations also help to understand the differences in reactivity between CF₃ and other radicals, for the same association reaction with NO.     

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions of rose bengal and selected electron donors

The photoinduced electron transfer reactions of the triplet state of rose bengal (RB) and several electron donors were investigated by the complementary techniques of steady state and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and laser flash photolysis (LFP). The yield of radicals varied with the light fluence rate, RB concentration and, in particular, the electron donor used. Thus for L-dopa (dopa, dihydroxyphenylalanine) only 10% of RB anion radical (RB√−) was produced, with double the yield observed with NADH (NAD, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) as quencher and more than three times the yield observed with ascorbate as quencher. Quenching of the RB triplet was both reactive and physical with total quenching rate constants of 4 × 10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ and 8.5 × 10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ for ascorbate and NADH respectively. The rate constant for the photoinduced electron transfer from ascorbate to RB triplet was 1.4 × 10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ as determined by Fourier transform EPR (FT EPR). FT EPR spectra were spin polarized in emission at early times indicating a radical pair mechanism for the chemically induced dynamic electron polarization. Subsequent to the initial electron transfer production of radicals, a complex series of reactions was observed, which were dominated by processes such as recombination, disproportionation and secondary (bleaching) reactions.

It was observed that back electron transfer reactions could be prevented by mild oxidants such as ferric compounds and duroquinone, which were efficiently reduced by RB√−.     

Flow-injection chemiluminescence determination of tetracyclines with in situ electrogenerated bromine as the oxidant

By designing a novel flow-through electrolytic cell (FEC), bromine was produced near to the surface of the platinum electrode by electrochemical oxidation of acidic KBr. The fast and weak chemiluminescence signal produced by the chemical reaction of the electrogenerated bromine with H₂O₂ was greatly enhanced by tetracyclines Based on these observations, a new, sensitive and simple electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) method for the determination of tetracyclines was developed. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the calibration graphs are linear over the range 3.0×10⁻⁸ to 5.0×10⁻⁵ g ml⁻¹ for tetracycline, 2.0×10⁻⁷ to 2.4×10⁻⁵ g ml⁻¹ for oxytetracycline and 1.0×10⁻⁷ to 5.0×10⁻⁵ g ml⁻¹ for chlortetracycline. The limits of detection (S/N=3) are 1.0×10⁻⁸ g ml⁻¹ for tetracycline, 7.0×10⁻⁸ g ml⁻¹ for oxytetracycline and 1.5×10⁻⁷ g ml⁻¹ for chlortetracycline. For the determination 5.0×10⁻⁷ g ml⁻¹ tetracycline, the relative standard deviation was <5%. The proposed method was used to determine tetracyclines in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Selective removal of Cu versus Ni, Zn and Mn by using a new carrier in a supported liquid membrane

A study on transport, kinetic selectivity and stability in SLM operations using a new carrier, the molecule 2-hydroxy-5-dodecylbenzaldehyde (2H5DBA) in kerosene, is described. A simple transport model is derived to evaluate the mass transfer coefficient in the membrane. Finally a comparison with the di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) carrier in kerosene is made. The SLM system was employed and tested in the removal of Cu²⁺ from wastewater by using the operating conditions obtained from L–L extraction tests. Studies on the kinetics of copper extraction by using the 2H5DBA showed that complexation reaction is very fast. Transport tests were performed at different carrier concentrations (10%, 30%, 50% (v/v)) showing the improvement of SLM performance with increasing its concentration. Operating the SLM at optimum conditions (50% (v/v) 2H5DBA concentration in kerosene, feed pH 5, strip pH 2.2) final copper concentrations in the feed and strip phases were, respectively, 2.0 and 47.0 mg L⁻¹, starting from 50 mg L⁻¹ in the feed, meaning a significant up-hill transport. The fluxes (J) were calculated by fitting the experimental data of copper concentration in the feed by an exponential equation. They were used to calculate the transport (kinetic) selectivities of Cu²⁺ SLM separation over Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺, given by the ratio J₀(Cu)/J₀(M), where M = Ni, Zn and Mn. The values were 37.4, 48.2 and 42.1, respectively. Transport and stability tests at the optimal carrier concentration by using the 2H5DBA and the D2EHPA in kerosene were carried out to compare them in terms of flux, lifetime and mass transfer coefficients. Experimental data evidenced for 2H5DBA a lower copper flux (8.67 mmol h⁻¹ m⁻² versus 36.71 mmol h⁻¹ m⁻²), a lower lifetime (20 h versus 57 h) and lower mass transfer coefficient in the membrane (3.00 × 10⁻⁷ m s⁻¹ versus 2.00 × 10⁻⁶ m s⁻¹) but the selectivity of the separation process can overcome the disadvantages.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the redox reaction of hexaaquotitanium(III) and the ethylenediamine tetraacetato titanium(III) complex by aqueous solutions of bromine

At 25°C, I = 1.0 M (CF₃SO₃⁻Li⁺+CF₃SO₃H), [H⁺] = 0.034–0.274 M and λ = 453 nm, the rate equation for the oxidation of Ti(H₂O), ₆³⁺ by bromine was found to be: −d/[Br₂]T/dt=kK/[Br₂][Ti^III]/[H⁺]+K+kK/[Br₃⁻][Ti^III]/[H⁺+K, where k = 9.2 × 10⁻³ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ and K = 4.5 × 10⁻³ M. At [H⁺] = 1.0 M, [Br⁻] = 0.05–0.4 M, the apparent second-order rate constant decreases as [Br⁻] increases.

The pH-dependence of the oxidation of Ti^III-edta by bromine is interpreted in terms of the change in identity of the Ti^III-edta species as the pH of the reaction medium changes. The second-order rate constants were fitted using a non-linear least-square computer program with (1/k₀^edta)² weighting into an equation of the form: k₀^edta =k₁+k₂K₁[H⁺]⁻¹+k₃K₁K₂[H⁺]^−2/1+K₁[H⁺[H⁺⁻¹+K₁K₂[H⁺]⁻², with K₁ and K₂ fixed as earlier determined at 9.55 × 10⁻³ and 2.29 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively, for the oxidation of bromine. k₁=k₂=(3.1±0.32)×10³M⁻¹s⁻¹ k₃=(2.3±0.45)×10⁶N⁻¹s⁻¹.

It is proposed that these electron transfer reactions proceed by univalent changes with the production of Br₂^.− as a transient intermediate. An outer-sphere mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The homonuclear exchange rate for Ti^III-edta+Ti^IV-edta is estimated at 32 M⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

A23187-mediated Cd uptake by highly stable, polymerized metal-sorbing vesicles

Vesicles formed from the polymerizable phospholipid, 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-(N-2(methacryloyloxy)ethyl)-phosphocholine, and the crosslinker, 1,2-dihydroxyethylene-bis-acrylamide, exhibit significantly enhanced stability relative to egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles. As evidenced by absorbance measurements, methacrylate PC vesicles with a 1 : 75 crosslinker-to-lipid molar ratio retain their integrity in up to 20% (v/v) ethanol as opposed to <10% (v/v) for egg PC vesicles. These crosslinked-polymerized vesicles also remain impermeable to Cd²⁺ (in the absence of ionophore) for up to 15 mM octyl glucoside. Furthermore, the crosslinked-polymerized vesicles show enhanced stability under osmotic stress. These inprovements in vesicle robustness are attained without dramatic loss in A23187-mediated Cd²⁺ permeability. The initial Cd²⁺ permeability of crosslinked-polymerized (1 : 75 crosslinker-to-lipid molar ratio) and egg PC vesicles, with A23187 as ionophore, measured 6.0 × 10⁻⁵ and 9.8 × 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹, respectively.     

Dehydrogenation of adenine induced by slow (<3 eV) electrons

Low energy (<3 eV) electrons impact to gas phase Adenine generates the dehydrogenated Adenine negative fragments, (A–H)⁻, and an H-atom neutral radical counterpart. Within the energy range of 0.7–2.8 eV, production of (A–H)⁻ arises from Dissociative Electron Attachment (DEA). In addition, a sharp peak is observed at near 0 eV. This peak is identified to arise from dissociative electron transfer reaction of SF₆⁻ (from the calibration gas) with Adenine.     

Influence of ionic strength and shear rate on the desorption of polystyrene particles from a glass collector as studied in a parallel-plate flow chamber

The residence-time-dependent desorption during the deposition of polystyrene particles 736 nm in diameter on glass was studied in situ using a parallel-plate flow chamber and automated image analysis. Comparison of successively grabbed images yielded the initial desorption rate coefficient, and final desorption rate coefficient and a relaxation time for the transition from the initial to the final desorption state, i.e. ageing of the bonds. Desorption experiments were performed from suspensions with different potassium nitrate concentrations (1, 10 and 50 mM) and at varying shear rates (15–200 s⁻¹. The initial desorption rate coefficient β₀ ranging from 1 × 10⁻³ to 20 × 10⁻³s⁻¹, and the final desorption rate coefficient β_∞, ranging from 0.01 × 10⁻³ to 0.65 × 10⁻³s⁻¹ were both larger than the desorption rate coefficients calculated neglecting a possible residence time dependence. These desorption rate coefficients, β, ranged from 0.005 × 10⁻³ to 0.40 × 10⁻³s⁻¹. The relaxation times, at which the adhesion of the polystyrene particles entered a more irreversible state of adhesion compared with their initial state of adhesion, varied from 100 to 1000 s. The desorption rate coefficients as well as the relaxation time showed major variations with the shear rate and the ionic strength of the suspension. At high ionic strength, the initial and final desorption rate coefficients increase and the relaxation time decreases with increasing shear rate, whereas at low ionic strength the desorption rates decrease and the relaxation time increases with increasing ionic strength. This study provides direct evidence that the interaction forces between adhering particles and a collector surface change over time.     

All electron ab initio investigations of the electronic states of the MoN molecule

The low lying electronic states of the molecule MoN were investigated by performing all electron ab initio multi-configuration self-consistent-field (CASSCF) calculations. The relativistic corrections for the one electron Darwin contact term and the relativistic mass-velocity correction were determined in perturbation calculations. The electronic ground state is confirmed as being ⁴∑⁻. The chemical bond of MoN has a triple bond character because of the approximately fully occupied delocalized bonding π and σ orbitals. The spectroscopic constants for the ground state and ten excited states were derived. The excited doublet states ²∑⁻, ²Γ, ²Δ, and ²∑⁺ are found to be lower lying than the ⁴Π state that was investigated experimentally. Elaborate multi-configuration configuration-interaction (MRCI) calculations were carried out for the states ⁴∑⁻ and ⁴∏ using various basis sets. The spectroscopic constants for the ⁴∑⁻ ground state were determined as r_e=1.636 Å and ω_e=1109 cm⁻¹, and for the ⁴∏ state as r_e=1.662 Å and ω_e=941 cm⁻¹. The values for the ground state are in excellent agreement with available experimental data. The MoN molecule is polar with a charge transfer from Mo to N. The dipole moment was determined as 2.11 D in the ⁴∑⁻ state and as 4.60 D in the ⁴∏ state. These values agree well with the revised experimental values determined from molecular Stark spectroscopic measurements. The dissociation energy, D_e, is determined as 5.17 eV, and D₀ as 5.10 eV.     

Electron transfer from triplet thymine and thymidine to lipoic acid

Electron transfer from the triplet excited state of thymine or thymidine to the disulphide compound lipoic acid (RSSR) was studied using KrF laser flash photolysis (248 nm, 20 ns). The electron transfer reaction rate constants, measured at 310 nm, were determined to be 1.3×10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 6.9×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for thymine and thymidine respectively. The transient absorbance at 400 nm in the presence of the quencher is attributed to the anion radical of lipoic acid.