Effects of cluster formation on spectra of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[e]pyrene

Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) in solution and adsorbed on silica have been obtained and compared to examine the spectroscopic effects of clustering. Molecular mechanics calculations with the UFF potential were done to optimize monomer, dimer and trimer geometries, and energy differences were determined by MP2/6-31G* calculations. Fluorescence emission spectra of adsorbed BeP and BaP display a red shift that progresses with increased loading, and the two differ in their photodegradation kinetics. The experimental and theoretical results are found to be consistent.     

Reinvestigation of the jutz synthesis of benzo [e] pyrene and benzo [a] pyrene derivatives from benzanthrene

Base-catalyzed reactions of benzanthrene with “vinamidinium salts” ($\text{2a-c}$ ) followed by thermal electrocyclic ring closure are regiospecific affording only benzo [e] pyrene derivatives, contrary to previous claims.     

Vanillin esters of aromatic carboxylic acids in the synthesis of benzo[a]acridine and benzo[b][4,7]phenanthroline derivatives

By condensation of vanillin esters of substituted benzoic acids with 2-naphthylamine and 6-quinolylamines and also with cyclic β-diketones (1,3-cyclohexanedione and dimedone) 2-methoxy-4-(11-oxo-7,8,9,10,11,12-hexahydrobenzo[a]acridin-12-yl)-and 2-methoxy-4-(11-oxo-7,8,9,10,11,12-hexahydrobenzo[b][4,7]-phenanthrolin-12-yl)phenyl benzoates were prepared.     

A convenient new synthesis of benzo[a]pyrene

A convenient new synthesis of the ubiquitous environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is described. In the key step, the method entails Suzuki coupling of naphthalene 2-boronic acid with 2-bromobenzene-1,3-dialdehyde and requires only three steps. It is considerably shorter and simpler than the older methods and provides BaP in higher overall yield.     

Magnetic circular dichroism spectra of benzo[a]pyrene

Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and absorption spectra of benzo[a]pyrene have been measured. The absorption spectra have been assigned by comparing the experimental results with the signs of Faraday B terms and transition energies computed by using the Pariser—Parr—Pople SCF-π-MO CI method.     

Measurement of benzo[a]pyrene,benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene by ultraviolet spectroscopy

Microchimica Acta - The technique for determining benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[k]fhuoranthene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene respectively inμg amounts by UV absorption measurements is described. The...     

Second-derivative constant-wavelength synchronous scan spectrofluorimetry for determination of benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene in drinking water

The use of derivative constant-wavelength synchronous scan fluorimetry is reported for the determination of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants in drinking water (linearity range 0.4-4 mug 1(-1)). The limits of detection (LD) and quantification (LQ) (mug 1(-1)) are 0.01 and 0.07 for benzo[b]fluoranthene, 0.03 and 0.12 for benzo[a]pyrene and 0.19 and 0.57 for indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene in the presence of three other pollutants, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[ghi]perylene and fluoranthene. The precision (RSD /= 85%) were satisfactory.     

A simple method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene in a mixture

Atmospheric particulate matter is routinely analysed for the concentration of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) has identical spectral characteristics and interferes in the fluorimetric estimation. A simple method for the determination of BaP in the presence of BkF is described. Based on quenching of the fluorescence of BaP by the addition of small amounts of nitromethane, the method can be used for accurate estimation for wide concentration ratios of BaP to BkF ranging from 0.1 to 10.0.     

Characterization of antibodies against benzo[a]pyrene with thermodynamic and kinetic constants

Antibodies of a polyclonal antiserum against benzo[a]pyrene were characterized by determining thermodynamic and kinetic constants of the antigen–antibody reaction. Label-free binding assays with optical detection based on reflectometric interference spectroscopy were performed to determine these constants. Different evaluation methods for kinetic measurements were compared. Also, cross-reactivity against two other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chrysene and pyrene, was checked. The affinity constant between the antibodies and benzo[a]pyrene in homogeneous phase was determined to be K=(5.3±0.3)×10⁷ M⁻¹ which was in the middle of the usual range of antibody affinities. The association rate constant for the reaction at the surface was determined to be (3.8±0.9)×10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, the dissociation rate constant as (9.7±0.5)×10⁻³ s⁻¹. Different evaluation methods applied to the kinetic measurements led to the same results. This antiserum would be suitable for the selective determination of benzo[a]pyrene in concentrated samples.     

Determination of benzo[a]pyrene in shale oil-by solid-surface fluorescence

A method has been developed for determining benzo[a]pyrene in shale oil by combining dry-column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography and fluorescence spectrometry. A two-step separation method was employed to isolate benzo[a]pyrene from shale oil. Benzo[a]pyrene was identified and determined by detecting its fluorescence directly from chromatoplates; as little as 0.06 ng can be detected. The limit of detection of benzo[a]pyrene in shale oil is ca. 1.2 ppm and the reproducibility of the method is ±2.6 ppm.     

Photodynamic action of benzo[a]pyrene in K562 cells

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, being considered the most phototoxic element among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs). In presence of oxygen, PAHs can act as a photosensitizer by means of promoting photo-oxidation of biological molecules (photodynamic action, PDA). Thus, the present study analyzed the photodynamic action of BaP under UVA irradiation (BaP + UVA) and its oxidative effects on K562 cells. The evaluation of BaP kinetics showed that the highest intracellular concentration occurred after 18 h of incubation. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage (breaks and DNA-protein cross-link [DNAPC]) were assessed after exposure to BaP, UVA and BaP plus UVA irradiation (BaP + UVA). Cell viability was decreased just after exposure to BaP + UVA. Lipid peroxidation and DNA breaks increased after BaP + UVA exposure, while the DNAPC increased after BaP, UVA and BaP + UVA exposure, suggesting that BaP + UVA effects were a consequence of both type II (producing mainly singlet oxygen) and type I (producing others ROS) mechanisms of PDA.     

Supersonic jet fluorescence spectrometry of perylene and benzo[a]pyrene

A supersonic jet instrument for fluorescence spectrometry is described. It consists of a high-temperature free expansion nozzle for continuous sample introduction and a vacuum chamber equipped with a high-speed pumping system. Rotationally cooled spectra obtained with the supersonic jet are compared with gas-phase spectra measured at high temperature for perylene and benzo[a]pyrene molecules. Each component of the unresolved band structure in the high-temperature spectra was found to be composed of a rotational congestion of several vibrational bands. For a 1:1 mixture of perylene and benzo[a]pyrene, selective detection is possible by using supersonic jet spectrometry. The detection limit for perylene is 100 ng. The advantage of this technique over other low-temperature spectrometric methods based on Shpol'skii and matrix isolation effects are discussed.     

Oxidized metabolites from benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[e]pyrene, and aza-benzo[a]pyrenes. A computational study of their carbocations formed by epoxide ring opening reactions

A DFT study aimed at understanding structure-reactivity relationships and fluorine substitution effects on carbocation stability in benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benzo[e]pyrene (BeP), and aza-benzo[a]pyrene (aza-BaP) derivatives are reported. The relative energies of the resulting carbocations are examined and compared, taking into account the available biological activity data on these compounds. O-Protonation of the epoxides and diol epoxides leads to carbocation formation by barrierless processes. Charge delocalization modes in the resulting carbocations were deduced via NPA-derived changes in charges, and fluorine substitution effects were analyzed on the basis of charge density at different carbocation positions. Thus, fluorine substitution at sites bearing negative charge generated inductive destabilization of the carbocation, whereas a fluorine atom at a ring position which presented significant positive charge density produced a less pronounced destabilization due to fluorine p-pi back-bonding. Protonation reactions were also studied for the azaBaPs. In selected cases, the covalent adducts generated via bond formation with the exocyclic nitrogen of cytosine were computed and relative energies and geometries of the resulting adducts were examined.     

Investigation on the protective effects of cranberry against the DNA damage induced by benzo[a]pyrene

There are few reports that demonstrate the antigenotoxic potential of cranberries. Although the types of berry fruits consumed worldwide are many, this paper focuses on cranberries that are commonly consumed in Mexico (Vaccinium macrocarpon species). The purpose of the present study is to determine whether cranberry ethanolic extract (CEE) can prevent the DNA damage produced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) using an in vivo mouse peripheral blood micronucleus assay. The experimental groups were organized as follows: a negative control group (without treatment), a positive group treated with B[a]P (200 mg/kg), a group administered with 800 mg/kg of CEE, and three groups treated with B[a]P and CEE (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) respectively. The CEE and benzo[a]pyrene were administered orally for a week, on a daily basis. During this period the body weight, the feed intake, and the determination of antigenotoxic potential were quantified. At the end of this period, we continued with the same determinations for one week more (recovery period) but anymore administration of the substances. The animals treated with B[a]P showed a weight increase after the first week of administration. The same phenomenon was observed in the lots combined with B[a]P and CEE (low and medium doses). The dose of 800 mg/kg of CEE showed similar values to the control group at the end of the treatment period. In the second part of the assay, when the substances were not administered, these experimental groups regained their normal weight. The dose of CEE (800 mg/kg) was not genotoxic nor cytotoxic. On the contrary, the B[a]P increases the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNNE) and reduces the rate of polychromatic erythrocytes (PE) at the end of the treatment period. With respect to the combined lots, a significant decrease in the MN rate was observed from the sixth to the eighth day of treatment with the two high doses applied; the highest protection (60%) was obtained with 800 mg/kg of CEE. The same dose showed an anticytotoxic effect which corresponded to an improvement of 62.5% in relation to the animals administered with the B[a]P. In the second period, all groups reached values that have been seen in the control group animals. Our results suggest that the inhibition of clastogenicity of the cranberry ethanolic extract against B[a]P is related to the antioxidant capacity of the combination of phytochemicals present in its chemical composition.     

Synthesis and NMR characterization of a dioxa-analog of benzo[a]pyrene: The 1-benzopyrano[6,5,4-mna]-xanthene (1,6-dioxabenzo[a]pyrene)

1,6-Dioxabenzo[a]pyrene, the first dioxa-analog of benzo[a]pyrene, was synthesized from 5-methoxy-1-naphthol in an eight-step reaction involving two peri-heterocyclizations.