Mechanistic Study on the Oxidation of Promazine and Chlorpromazine by Hexaimidazolcobalt(III) in Acidic Aqueous Media

The kinetics of the oxidation of promazine and chlorpromazine by hexaimidazolcobalt(III) were studied in the presence of a large excess of cobalt(III) and H⁺ ions using u.v.–vis. spectroscopy ([Co^III] = (1–6) × 10⁻³ m, [ptz] = (2.5–10) × 10⁻⁵ m, [H⁺] = 0.05–0.8 m, I = 1.0 m (H⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻), T = 333–353 K, l = 1 cm). In each case, the reversible reaction leads to formation of cobalt(II) species and a stable cationic radical. A linear dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate constant (k_obs) on [Co^III] with a non-zero intercept was established for both phenothiazine derivatives. A marked difference in the observed reaction rate for promazine and chlorpromazine is associated with the difference in its ability to undergo oxidation and is consistent with a trend in the redox potential changes for these reductants. The activation parameters for reactions studied were determined. Mechanistic consequences of all the results are discussed.     

Curcumin,a natural colorant as initiator for photopolymerization of styrene: kinetics and mechanism

The photopolymerization of styrene in presence of an efficient, eco-friendly, and a cost-effective photoinitiator, curcumin, which is found in turmeric root, has been reported for the first time. The catalytic concentration (10⁻⁶ M) of curcumin is effective to photoinitiate the polymerization of styrene. The kinetic data, inhibiting effect of benzoquinone and electron spin resonance studies, indicate that the polymerization proceeds via a free radical mechanism. The system follows non-ideal kinetics (R _p ∝ [Cur]^0.36 [Sty]^1.04) due to both primary radical termination and degradative chain transfer reactions. The broad peaks due to methine and methylene protons in ¹H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]) spectrum and a band of resonances at 145–146 ppm in ¹³C-NMR indicate atactic nature of the polystyrene formed. The maximum conversion at 30 ± 0.2 °C in 17 h has been limited to 23% without gelation. The formation of radicals and mechanism of polymerization are also discussed.     

π-dimerization of pleiadiene radical cations at low temperatures revealed by UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry and quantum theory

One-electron oxidation of the non-alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pleiadiene and related cyclohepta[c,d]pyrene and cyclohepta[c,d]fluoranthene in THF produces corresponding radical cations detectable in the temperature range of 293–263 K only on the subsecond time scale of cyclic voltammetry. Although the EPR-active red-coloured pleiadiene radical cation is stable according to the literature in concentrated sulfuric acid, spectroelectrochemical measurements reported in this study provide convincing evidence for its facile conversion into the green-coloured, formally closed shell and, hence, EPR-silent π-bound dimer dication stable in THF at 253 K. The unexpected formation of the thermally unstable dimeric product featuring a characteristic intense low-energy absorption band at 673 nm (1.84 eV; logε _max = 4.0) is substantiated by ab initio calculations on the parent pleiadiene molecule and the PF₆⁻ salts of the corresponding radical cation and dimer dication. The latter is stabilized with respect to the radical cation by 14.40 kcal mol⁻¹ (DFT B3LYP) [37.64 kcal mol⁻¹ (CASPT2/DFT B3LYP)]. An excellent match has been obtained between the experimental and TD-DFT-calculated UV–vis spectra of the PF₆⁻ salt of the pleiadiene dimer dication, considering solvent (THF) effects.     

A mechanistic study on the disproportionation and oxidative degradation of phenothiazine derivatives by manganese(III) complexes in phosphate acidic media

The oxidative degradation of phenothiazine derivatives (PTZ) by manganese(III) was studied in the presence of a large excess of manganese(III)-pyrophosphate (P₂O₇ ²⁻), phosphate (PO₄ ³⁻), and H⁺ ions using UV–vis. spectroscopy. The first irreversible step is a fast reaction between phenothiazine and manganese pyrophosphate leading to the complete conversion to a stable phenothiazine radical. In the second step, the cation radical is oxidized by manganese to a dication, which subsequently hydrolyzes to phenothiazine 5-oxide. The reaction rate is controlled by the coordination and stability of manganese(III) ion influenced by the reduction potential of these ions and their strong ability to oxidize many reducing agents. The cation radical might also be transformed to the final product in another competing reaction. The final product, phenothiazine 5-oxide, is also formed via a disproportionation reaction. The kinetics of the second step of the oxidative degradation could be studied in acidic phosphate media due to the large difference in the rates of the first and further processes. Linear dependences of the pseudo-first-order rate constants (k _obs) on [Mn^III] with a significant non-zero intercept were established for the degradation of phenothiazine radicals. The rate is dependent on [H⁺] and independent of [PTZ] within the excess concentration range of the manganese(III) complexes used in the isolation method. The kinetics of the disproportionation of the phenothiazine radical have been studied independently from the further oxidative degradation process in acidic sulphate media. The rate is inversely dependent on [PTZ^+.], dependent on [H⁺], and increases slightly with decreasing H⁺ concentration. Mechanistic consequences of all these results are discussed.     

1-(Bromoacetyl)pyrene,a novel photoinitiator for the copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile

A comparative study on photoinitiated solution copolymerization of Styrene (Sty), with acrylonitrile (AN) using pyrene, 1-acetylpyrene, and 1-(bromoacetyl)pyrene (BrPy) as initiators, showed that the introduction of a chromophoric moiety, bromoacetyl (–COCH₂Br), significantly increased the photoinitiating ability of pyrene. The kinetics and mechanism of copolymerization of Sty with AN (Sty–co–AN) using BrPy as photoinitiator has been studied in detail. The kinetic data, inhibiting effect of benzoquinone, and electron spin resonance (ESR) studies suggest that the polymerization proceeds via a free radical mechanism. The system followed non-ideal kinetics (R _p α[BrPy]^0.7[Sty]^1.09[AN]^1.01) and degradative solvent transfer reasonably explained these kinetic non-idealities. The co-monomer reactivity ratios calculated by using the Finemann–Ross and Kelen–Tudos models were r ₁ (Sty) = 0.39 and r ₂ (AN) = 0.05. The reactivity ratios strongly indicate that the two monomers enter in almost alternating arrangement along the copolymer chain.     

Kinetics and mechanism of polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by stibonium ylide

Homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in the presence of triphenylstibonium 1,2,3,4-tetraphenyl-cyclopentadienylide as an initiator in dioxane at 65°C±0·l°C. The system follows non-ideal radical kinetics (R _p ∝ [M]^1·4 [I]^0·44 @#@) due to primary radical termination as well as degradative chain-transfer reaction. The overall activation energy and average value ofk ₂ ^p /k _t were 64 kJmol⁻¹ and 0.173 × 10⁻³ 1 mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by Mn(III)–glycerol redox system

The kinetics of thermal polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the redox system Mn(III)–glycerol was studied in aqueous sulfuric acid in the temperature range of 30–40°C, and the rates of polymerization, R_p, and Mn³⁺ disappearance, etc., were measured. The effect of certain water-miscible organic solvents and certain cationic and anionic surfactants on the rates of polymerization has been investigated. A mechanism involving the formation of a complex between Mn³⁺ and glycerol whose decomposition yields the initiating free radical with the polymerization being terminated by the metal ion has been suggested.     

Investigation of the Electrochemical Reduction of Benzophenone in Aprotic Solvents Using the Method of Cyclic Voltammetry

The reduction of benzophenone (Bzph) in 3-pentanone (PEN), acetone (ACE), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetonitrile (ACN) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with n-tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) as background electrolyte was studied using the technique of cyclic voltammetry at the temperature of 263.15 K. The half-wave potentials (E _1/2) were extracted. The reduction of Bzph occurs in two successive one-electron steps to produce first the free radical anion Bzph⁻ and then the dianion Bzph²⁻. The results indicated that the radical anion Bzph⁻ is reoxidized to Bzph in all investigated solvent media whereas the dianion Bzph²⁻ is reoxidized to Bzph⁻ only in THF. The heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants (k _s ) were evaluated by employing the electrochemical rate equation proposed by Nicholson. The rate of electron transfer for the Bzph/Bzph⁻ couple was found to be relatively slow in all investigated solvent media. Consequently, the electron-transfer processes can be recognized as quasi-reversible. The diffusion coefficients (D) of Bzph in the investigated solvent media have been calculated using the modified Randles-Sevcik equation. The effect of the physical and chemical properties of the solvent medium on the electrochemical behavior of Bzph has been examined.     

Unusual rate inhibition of manganese(II) assisted oxidation of citric acid by chromium(VI) in the presence of ionic micelles

The kinetics and mechanism of citric acid oxidation by Cr^VI; catalyzed by Mn^II, has been studied in H₂O and in the presence of anionic and cationic surfactants. A linear correlation between k _obs ⁻¹ and [Mn^II]⁻¹ was found, satisfying the Michaelis–Menten kinetics. The rate-determining step is the decomposition of complex HCrO₄–citric acid–Mn^II formed between citric acid–Mn^II and Cr^VI. Based on kinetic data, a one-step three-electron oxidation mechanism has been proposed. The rate decreased with increase in concentration of the cationic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB), while anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) had no effect on the rate. The data have been interpreted in terms of reaction in the aqueous phase. The effect of added anions, such as chloride, bromide, nitrate, and sulphate, has been studied and discussed. The activation parameters (ΔH ^‡ and ΔS ^‡) were significantly affected by the presence of 10.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ of CTAB or CPB. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

ESR spectra and electronic structure of the C120 ·+ radical cation and the paramagnetic C120O2+ dication and C120O2− dianion

Electronic structure of the C₁₂₀ ^·+ radical cation and the paramagnetic C₁₂₀O²⁺ dication and C₁₂₀O²⁻ dianion in the triplet state was calculated by the MNDO/PM3 method in the valence approximation. The density distributions of the unpaired electrons in these systems were found and the ESR spectra of the above species were interpreted. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1257–1260, July, 1999.     

Effect of ionic micellar medium on kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of bovine serum albumin: A pulse radiolysis study

Effect of protein–micelle interaction on bovine serum albumin (BSA) oxidation by trichloromethyl peroxyl radical (CCl₃O₂^·) in anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) micellar media has been studied using nanosecond pulse radiolysis technique. Viscosity measurement and light scattering studies have suggested that SDS and CTAB micelles produce BSA–micelle aggregates of different sizes and polydispersity. Oxidation kinetics and transients have been affected both by anionic SDS and cationic CTAB micelles but in a different manner. Tryptophanyl-CCl₃O₂^· adduct radical to tyrosyl radical transformation in BSA has been observed in anionic SDS micelles but not in cationic CTAB micelles. Similar studies have also been done with tryptophan and tyrosine amino acids, which undergo oxidation in BSA. The study suggests that Coulombic and hydrophobic interactions between micelles and protein affect the structure of the protein to shield its functional amino acids, like tryptophan and tyrosine, to neutral oxidizing radical.     

Exchange interactions in trinuclear multispin complexes [Fe 2III MIIO(p-NitPhCOO)6]?MeCN (M = Co, Ni, p-NitPhCOO- = p-benzoatenitronyl nitroxide radical)

The temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibilities for the complexes [Fe₂^III M^IIO(p-NitPhCOO)₆]∙MeCN (M = Co, Ni, p-NitPhCOO^–= p-benzoatenitronyl nitroxide radical, MeCN = acetonitrile) revealed the existence of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling among the metal ions in the trinuclear units, as well as between these units and the free radicals in the crystal lattices of the complexes.     

Effect of anionic and cationic micelles on the oxidation of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D</Emphasis>-glucose by cerium(IV) in presence of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The influence of surfactants (anionic and cationic) on the reactivity of the redox couple cerium(IV) and D-glucose was examined spectrophotometerically. Various kinetic parameters have been determined in the absence and presence of surfactants. The kinetics were followed by monitoring the disappearance of the absorbance of cerium(IV) at 385 nm. The reaction obeyed first-order kinetics with respect to [D-glucose] in both media. No effect of anionic micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was observed due to electrostatic repulsion between the negative head group of SDS and reactive species of cerium(IV) (Ce(SO₄) ₃ ²⁻ ). A twofold increase in the oxidation rate was observed in the presence of cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The observed catalytic role has been analyzed in terms of the Menger–Portnoy model. The effects of various inorganic salts (Na₂SO₄, NaNO₃ and NaCl) were also studied in micellar media.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic properties of a radical ligand and its corresponding copper(II) complex

A new chelating radical ligand, IMMeBzIm (IMMeBzIm = 2-{2′-[(l′-methyl)benzimidazolyl]}-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl) and its copper(II) complex [Cu(IMMeBzIm)₂(ClO₄)]·(ClO₄) have been prepared and characterized by IR, magnetic and single-crystal X-ray analysis. In the crystal structures, both free IMMeBzIm and the complex crystallize in monoclinic space groups P2(1)/c and C2/c, respectively. The structure of IMMeBzIm consists of mononuclear molecules. In the complex, the coordination geometry around copper is a distorted square pyramid, and the apical position is occupied by one oxygen atom of ClO₄ ⁻ anion. A 1-D polymer is formed through intermolecular H-bond interactions. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility of the free IMMeBzIm suggests weak antiferromagnetic coupling with J = −1.12 cm⁻¹ where the spin Hamitonian is defined as Ĥ = −2 JŜ ₁ Ŝ ₂ between radical and radical.     

Effect of cationic gemini surfactants on the hydrolysis of carboxylate and phosphate esters using hydroxamate ions

The kinetics of the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) and p-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate (PNPDPP) by hydroxamate ions mediated by gemini surfactants with quaternary ammonium bromide (16-n-16,2Br⁻, n = 3, 4, 6, 12) and pyridinium chloride (12py-n-py12,2Cl⁻, n = 3, 4) head group have been investigated at 27 °C. The gemini surfactant with the pyridinium head group, 12-py-4-py12,2Cl⁻ (tetramethylene-1,4 bis dodecylpyridinium chloride) shows a large rate acceleration effect than that with an ammonium head group, 16-12-16,2Br⁻, relative to those in water. The apparent pK _a of the hydroxamic acids have been determined in the presence of gemini surfactants. Catalytic system N-phenylbenzohydroxamate/12py-4-py12,2Cl⁻ demonstrated over ~1,590-fold and ~255-fold rate enhancement in the hydrolysis of PNPA and PNPDPP, respectively, for the identical reaction performed in buffer aqueous media at 27 °C. The second order rate constant and binding constants for reactions were determined employing pseudophase model for micellar catalysis.     

Antioxidant activities of phenols in different solvents using DPPH assay

Studies on the antioxidant activity of two model phenols containing either an electron withdrawing (p-nitrophenol) or electron donating (p-aminophenol) group and p-hydroxyacetophenone in different solvents are reported using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay by spectrophotometry and stopped-flow techniques. The second-order rate constants measured with p-nitrophenol were found to be (1.2–5.5) × 10⁻² dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ but the DPPH radical reacts much faster with p-aminophenol (k = 0.5–1.1 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). The normal kinetic solvent effect in H atom transfer was seen in the case of p-nitrophenol with the solvent independent rate constant k _o = 0.1 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The IC₅₀ values in p-nitrophenol are similar to those measured in p-hydroxyacetophenone. On the other hand, much lower IC₅₀ values of more than four orders of magnitude with p-aminophenol were observed. This work demonstrates that the phenol with the electron donating –NH₂ substituent is a better antioxidant.     

Investigation on the formation and decay of the N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine radical cation using various oxidants and reductants by stopped-flow spectrophotometry

N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) is an aromatic amine that undergoes oxidation by various oxidizing agents such as Ce⁴⁺, MnO⁻₄, Cr₂O²⁻₇; HSO⁻₅, S₂O⁻₈, H₂O₂, Cl₂, Br₂ and I₂, thereby serving as a reducing substrate. One-electron oxidation of TMB results in a radical cation (TMB^˙+), and on further oxidation leads to the product dication (TMB⁺⁺) were monitored by stopped-flow spectrophotometer at the absorption wavelength of TMB^˙+(λ_max; 460 nm). ESR data was also provided to confirm the formation of radical cation. The rates of both the formation and decay of TMB^˙+ have been followed by a total second-order kinetics, a first-order dependence each on [TMB] (or) [TMB^˙+] and [oxidant]. The kinetic and transition state parameters have been evaluated for the effects of pH and temperature on the formation and decay of TMB^˙+ and discussed with suitable reaction mechanisms. Also, the rate constants for the reactions of the radical cation with various reducing agents such as sulfite (SO²⁻₃), thiosulfate (S₂O²⁻₃), dithionite (S₂O²⁻₄) and disulfite (S₂O²⁻₅) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C, AH₂ were determined. Besides these, this article also explains how TMB acts as a better electron relay than unsubstituted benzidine, even though both of them undergo one-electron oxidation and are used in the chemical routes to solar energy conversions. The observed rate constants for electron transfer were correlated theoretically using Marcus theory. The observed and calculated rate constants have good correlation.     

Studies on the electrochemical and thermodynamic behaviour of Hg-HgS electrode in the presence of sulphide ions

Mercury-mercury (II) sulphide electrode has been prepared and its electrochemical and thermodynamic behaviour has been studied in different media. The electrode is found to show Nernstian response to pS (− log [S²⁻]) over the range 5.19–10.38. In the pH range 7.96–11.98, at constant [S²⁻]_v, its response is also Nernstian. The values of thermodynamic functions, viz., ΔG⁰. ΔH⁰, and ΔS⁰ for the electrode reaction: Hg₍₃)+S²⁻ _aμ ⇌HgS_(s)+2e, have been determined. Further, the standard free energy of formation (ΔG _f ⁰ ) and solubility product constant (K _vp ) of HgS in aqueous medium at 25±0.1°C have also been determined.     

Kinetics and mechanism of ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol by cerium(IV) in sulfuric acid media

The kinetics and mechanism of ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) by cerium(IV) in sulfuric acid media have been investigated spectrophotometrically in the temperature range 298–313 K. It is found that the reaction is first-order with respect to Ce^IV, and exhibits a positive fractional order with respect to THFA and Ru^III. The pseudo first-order ([THFA]≫[Ce^IV]≫[Ru^III]) rate constant k _obs decreases with the increase of [HSO ₄ ⁻ ]. Under the protection of nitrogen, the reaction system can initiate polymerization of acrylonitrile, indicating the generation of free radicals. On the basis of the experimental results, a reasonable mechanism has been proposed and the rate equations derived from the mechanism can explain all the experimental results. From the dependence of k _obs on the concentration of HSO ₄ ⁻ , has been found as the kinetically active species. Furthermore, the rate constants of the rate determining step together with the activation parameters were evaluated.     

Thermal stability and crystallization kinetics in superionic glasses using electrical conductivity–temperature cycles

The present work demonstrates application of electrical conductivity (σ)–temperature (T) cycles to investigate thermal properties viz., crystallization and glass transition kinetics in AgI–Ag₂O–V₂O₅–MoO₃ superionic glasses. The σ–T cycles are carefully performed at various heating rates, viz., 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 7 K/min. The conductivity in Ag⁺ ion conducting glasses exhibit anomalous deviation from Arrhenius behavior near glass transition temperature (T _g) followed by a drastic fall at crystallization (T _c). The temperature corresponding to maximum rate of crystallization (T _p) is obtained from the derivative of σ–1/T plots. With increasing heating rates, the characteristic temperatures (T _g, T _p) are found to be shifting monotonically toward higher temperatures. Thus, activation energy of structural relaxation E _s, crystallization E _c and other thermal stability parameters have been obtained from σ–T cycles using Kissinger equation and Moynihan formulation. For a comparative study, these kinetics parameters have also been calculated from differential scanning calorimetry plots. The parameters obtained from both the methods are found to be comparable within experimental error.