Photochemistry of cyclohexene oxide radical cations in freonic matrices at 77 K

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Photochemical transformations of 1,3,5-trioxane radical cations in freonic matrices at 77 K

It was found that the principal photochemical reaction of 1,3,5-trioxane radical cations in freonic matrices at 77 K is their cycle-opening dissociation yielding the distonic radical cation in which the unpaired electron is preferentially localized on the oxygen atom. The dissociation of the trioxane radical cations at 77 K is characterized by high quantum yields, which vary from 0.24 to 0.36 in different matrices. The distonic radical cations produced during photolysis are unstable at 77 K and undergo further transformations, which occur at different rates in freonic matrices. The structure of the intermediates produced and a possible mechanism of the processes are discussed with the use of quantum-chemical calculation data.     

Photochemistry of trimethylene oxide and trimethylene sulfide radical cations in freonic matrices at 77 K

It was shown that trimethylene oxide (oxetane) radical cations were converted at 77 K into either distonic radical cations ·CH₂CH₂CH=OH⁺ or 2-oxetanyl radicals, depending on the freonic matrix used, by the action of light at λ = 546 nm and trimethylene sulfide radical cations transformed into distonic radical cations CH₂CHSH⁺CH ₂ ^· under 436-nm irradiation. The quantum yields of the photochemical reactions were determined. Quantum-chemical calculations on the structure and HFC constants of the radical cations and possible paramagnetic products of their transformation were performed. The reasons behind the observed difference in reactivity between the radical cations under the action of light are discussed.     

Reactions of the primary radical cations of carboxylic acids as studied by ESR in freonic matrices

Radical products of radiolysis of frozen solutions of propionic and butyric acids were studied in the matrices of Freon-11, Freon-113, and Freon-113a at 77 K. It was shown that the primary radical cations generated by radiation were not trapped in the freonic matrices (in contrast with the corresponding freonic solutions of acetic acid). The radical cations of propionic and butyric acids decay in concurrent processes of rearrangements yielding terminal-type and ylide-type distonic radical cations and intramolecular proton transfer in the dimeric radical cations resulting in acyloxy radicals. The latter species undergo decarboxylation to yield ethyl and propyl radicals for propionic and butyric acids, respectively. According to mass-spectrometric data, the terminal-type distonic radical cations undergo the McLafferty rearrangement.Translated from Khimiya Vysokikh Energii, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2005, pp. 97–104.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Belevskii, Belopushkin.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Reactions of the radical cations of aliphatic aldehydes in freon matrices

ESR spectra of -irradiated, at –196 °C, solutions of acetic and propionic aldehydes in freon-11 and freon-113 affected by aldehyde concentration, temperature, and the action of light have been studied. It has been shown that the radical cations CH₃CHO⁺ are converted into neutral radicals CH₃O and CH₃HOH and the cations CH₃CH₂CHO⁺. are converted to RO and CH₃HCHO due to ion-molecular reactions of proton transfer /CH₃O and CH₃HCHO/ of hydrogen atom transfer /CH₃HOH/.     

Photoinduced deprotonation of cyclopentene oxide radical cations in low-temperature Freon matrices

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Ion-molecular reactions of primary radical cations of aliphatic amines in freon matrices

ESR spectra for -irradiated, at –196 °C, solution of Me₂NH, Me₃N, and EtNH₂ in CFCl₃ /0.05÷100% amine/ have been studied. Radical cations Me₂NH^+., Me₃N^+. and EtNH ₂ ^+. were trapped in dilute solutions /less than 1% amine in CFCl₃/. The yields of radical cations decrease and those of neutral radicals /Me₂ N, CH₂NMe₂, Et NH/ correspondingly increase as the amine concentration increases. Radical cations Me₂NH^+. are transformed to Me₂ N as well as Me₃N^+. to C H₂NMe₂ via proton transfer reaction, which is described by the reaction volume model.     

Photochemical reactions of radical cations of dimethylformamide in freon matrices at 77 K

Spectral characteristics of the radical cations (RC) of DMF (λ_max = 415 nm, ε_max = (2.6±0.8)·10³ L mol^?2 cm^?2) stabilized in an irradiated glassy freon mixture (CFCl₃ and CF₂BrCF₂Br) at 77 K were determined. Amide type radicals and RC of the matrix were shown to be formed by irradiation (λ=365–436 nm) of the radical cations of DMF in freon matrices using ESR and UV spectroscopy. The quantum yields of photoconversion of the DMF radical cations are independent of the wavelength of exciting light. It was found that the matrix structure affects the processes stabilizing the products of photoconversion of the DMF radical cations.     

Esr studies of the ring opening of cyclopropane radical cations in freon matrices

The radical cations of cyclopropane and several of its methyl derivatives have been characterized by ESR spectroscopy following their generation by γ irradiation of dilute solutions of the parent compounds in Freon matrices at 77 K. In the CFCl₃, CF₃CCl₃, and CF₂ClCCl₃, matrices, only the ring-closed species is usually observed in the accessible temperature range up to ca 160 K. In the CFCl₂CF₂Cl matrix, however, the ring-closed radical cations initially formed at 77 K undergo ring opening between 83 and 110 K, the more highly substituted radical cations requiring a higher temperature for this transformation. The ring-closed radical cations are ²A₁ species for C_2v symmetry, the most substituted cyclopropane C-C bond being elongated with the spin density largely confined to the basal carbons in a face-to-face (90°, 90°) structure. In the ring-opened radical cations, the radical center is localized on the most substituted carbon atom following the breaking of the weakened C-C bond of the ring-closed species. The radical conformations of the ring-opened species have been determined, the RCH₂CH₂· center produced from cyclopropane having a bisected conformation while the RCH₂CMe₂· center obtained from 1,1,2,2-tetramethylcyclopropane is eclipsed, as expected for the presence of α-methyl substituents at the radical site. The nature of the putative carbocation center in the ring-opened radical cations is discussed with reference to recent proposals that this center is strongly coordinated to an electrophile (Cl^- or RCl) thereby negating the requirement for an orthogonal structure. Consideration of the strong matrix dependence of the ring-opening reaction suggests a possible solvation effect, however, in which the CFCl₂CF₂Cl matrix assists the twisting of one of the CR₁R₂ groups at the most substituted bond, leading to the rupture of this one-electron σ bond. A strong solvation effect also explains why ring-opening can occur in a suitable polar solvent despite theoretical calculations of unfavourable energetics for a similar gas-phase reaction. Experiments are also described on spiro[2.5]octane, the cyclopropane ring undergoing scission at the CH₂-CH₂ bond of this radical cation to give an RCH₂· radical center. this radical then undergoes a H-atom abstraction with a neutral spiro[2.5]octane molecule in the CFCl₂CF₂Cl matrix at higher temperature to give the spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl radical.     

Photochemical transformations of cyclic acetal radical cations in Freon matrices at 77 K

The efficiency of photochemical reactions of radical cations of cyclic acetals (1,3-dioxolane, 1,3-dioxane) is measured in different Freon matrices at 77 K and the influence of the latter on the reaction path is discovered. The possible nature of the paramagnetic complexes that form in photochemical reactions of cyclic acetal radical cations in Freon-11 is suggested.     

Formation of trimer and dimer radical cations of methyl-substituted benzenes in gamma-irradiated low-temperature matrices

Dimer and trimer radical cations of benzene, toluene, and xylenes were produced selectively after gamma-irradiation in low-temperature 2-methylpentane matrices with electron scavengers: oxygen (O(2)) and sec-butyl chloride (sec-BuCl). The charge resonance (CR) band of the trimer radical cation (M(3)(+)) produced via the corresponding dimer radical cation (M(2)(+)) is clearly seen in the solution containing O(2) as the temperature increases over a range from 80 to 90 K. In o-xylene solution, a fairly strong and distinct M(3)(+) CR absorption is observed; this is due to the large M(3)(+)/M(2)(+) relative extinction coefficient. All benzene derivatives show an equilibrium between dimer and trimer radical cations at approximately 90 K; however, the equilibrium constants of toluene and the xylenes are considerably lower than that of benzene. Formation of the trimer radical cation is inhibited in sec-BuCl, which has commonly been used as a low-temperature optical matrix for producing cationic species. An ab initio DFT method is applied to predict the geometry of M(3)(+), giving "slipped sandwich" (for benzene, m-xylene, and p-xylene) and "slipped fan-shaped" (toluene and o-xylene) structures as the most plausible geometries. The experimentally observed spectroscopic parameters reflect well those predicted by TD-DFT calculation based on geometry, suggesting strong dependence of the geometry of M(3)(+) on substitution patterns. This is the first report not only of direct spectroscopic observation of aromatic trimer radical cations in the condensed phase but also on the quantitative analysis of their equilibria.     

EPR studies of amine radical cations. Part 2. Thermal and photo-induced rearrangements of propargylamine and allylamine radical cations in low-temperature freon matrices

Matrix EPR studies and quantum chemical calculations have been used to characterize the consecutive H-atom shifts undergone by the nitrogen-centered parent radical cations of propargylamine (1b*+) and allylamine (5*+) on thermal or photoinduced activation. The radical cation rearrangements of these unsaturated parent amines occur initially by a 1,2 H-atom shift from C1 to C2 with pi-bond formation at the positively charged nitrogen; this is followed by a consecutive reaction involving a second H-atom shift from C2 to C3. Thus, exposure to red light (lambda > 650 nm) converts 1b*+ to the vinyl-type distonic radical cation 2*+ which in turn is transformed on further photolysis with blue-green light (lambda approximately 400-600 nm) to the allene-type heteroallylic radical cation 3*+. Calculations show that the energy ordering is 1b*+ > 2*+ > 3*+, so that the consecutive H-atom shifts are driven by the formation of more stable isomers. Similarly, the parent radical cation of allylamine 5*+ undergoes a spontaneous 1,2-hydrogen atom shift from C1 to C2 at 77 K with a t1/2 of approximately 1 h to yield the distonic alkyl-type iminopropyl radical cation 6*+; this thermal reaction is attributed largely to quantum tunneling, and the rate is enhanced on concomitant photobleaching with visible light. Subsequent exposure to UV light (lambda approximately 350-400 nm) converts 6*+ by a 2,3 H-shift to the 1-aminopropene radical cation 7*+, which is confirmed to be the lowest-energy isomer derived from the ionization of either allylamine or cyclopropylamine. Although the parent radical cations of N, N-dimethylallylamine (9*+) and N-methylallylamine (11*+) are both stabilized by the electron-donating character of the methyl group(s), the photobleaching of 9*+ leads to the remarkable formation of the cyclic 1-methylpyrrolidine radical cation 10*+. The first step of this transformation now involves the migration of a hydrogen atom to C2 of the allyl group from one of the methyl groups (rather than from C1); the reaction is then completed by the cyclization of the generated MeN + (=CH2) CH2CH2CH2* distonic radical cation, possibly in a concerted overall process. In contrast to the ubiquitous H-atom transfer from carbon to nitrogen that occurs in the parent radical cations of saturated amines, the alternate rearrangements of either 1b*+ or 5*+ to an ammonium-type radical cation by a hypothetical H-atom shift from C1 to the ionized NH2 group are not observed. This is in line with calculations showing that the thermal barrier for this transformation is much higher (approximately 120 kJ mol-1) than those for the conversion of 1b*+ --> 2*+ and 5*+--> 6*+ (approximately 40-60 kJ mol-1).     

Formation and reactions of monomeric and dimeric radical cations of aliphatic ketones in freon matrices

ESR spectra of -irradiated, at 77 K, acetone and CH₃COEt solutions /0.1–22%/ in CFCl₃ were studied. The yields of monomer and dimer radical cations of ketones and RCHCOCH₃ radicals depend on ketone concentration in CFCl₃. When exposed to light the dimeric radical cations are transformed into RCHCOMe, while the monomeric radical cations disappear without further radical production. Different types of solid phase ion-molecular reaction for monomer and dimer radical cations are discussed.     

EPR studies of amine radical cations, part 1: thermal and photoinduced rearrangements of n-alkylamine radical cations to their distonic forms in low-temperature freon matrices

The thermal and photochemical transformations of primary amine radical cations (n-propyl 1.+, n-butyl 5.+) generated radiolytically in freon matrices have been investigated by using low-temperature EPR spectroscopy. Assignment of the spectra was facilitated by parallel studies on the corresponding N,N-dideuterioamines. The identifications were supported by quantum chemical calculations on the geometry, electronic structure, hyperfine splitting constants and energy levels of the observed transient radical species. The rapid generation of the primary species by a short exposure (1-2 min) to electron-beam irradiation at 77 K allowed the thermal rearrangement of 1.+ to be monitored kinetically as a first-order reaction at 125-140 K by the growth in the well-resolved EPR signal of the distonic radical cation .C(2CH2CH2NH3+. By comparison, the formation of the corresponding .CH2CH2CH2CH2NH3+ species from 5.+ is considerably more facile and already occurs within the short irradiation time. These results directly verify the intramolecular hydrogen-atom migration from carbon to nitrogen in these ionised amines, a reaction previously proposed to account for the fragmentation patterns observed in the mass spectrometry of these amines. The greater ease of the thermal rearrangement of 5.+ is in accordance with calculations on the barrier heights for these intramolecular 1,5- and 1,4-hydrogen shifts, the lower barrier for the former being associated with minimisation of the ring strain in a six-membered transition state. For 1.+, the 1,4-hydrogen shift is also brought about directly at 77 K by exposure to approximately 350 nm light, although there is also evidence for the 1,3-hydrogen shift requiring a higher energy. A more surprising result is the photochemical formation of the H2C=N. radical as a minor product under hard-matrix conditions in which diffusion is minimal. It is suggested that this occurs as a consequence of the beta-fragmentation of 1.+ to the ethyl radical and the CH2=NH2+ ion, followed by consecutive cage reactions of deprotonation and hydrogen transfer from the iminonium group. Additionally, secondary ion-molecule reactions were studied in CFCl2CF2Cl under matrix conditions that allow diffusion. The propane-1-iminyl radical CH3CH2CH=N. was detected at high concentrations of the n-propylamine substrate. Its formation is attributed to a modified reaction sequence in which 1.+ first undergoes a proton transfer within a cluster of amine molecules to yield the aminyl radical CH3CH2CH2N.H. A subsequent disproportionation of these radicals can then yield the propane-1-imine precursor CH3CH2CH=NH, which is known to easily undergo hydrogen abstraction from the nitrogen atom. The corresponding butane-1-iminyl radical was also observed.     

Polyfluorinated radical cations

The synthesis of the first trifluoromethanesulfonate esters of the type CF₃SO₃(CH₂)_nO₃SCF₃ (n=1,2,3) are reported. The new compounds are prepared from Cl(CH₂)_nCl by substitutive electrophilic dehalogenation reactions with CF₃SO₂OX (x=Cl,Br). The extension of this reaction to HCCl₃ results in HC(O₃SCF₃)₃ but the compound is unstable at 22°.     

Catalysis in hydrogen-bridged radical cations

Hydrogen-bridged radical cations (HBRCs) are an intriguing subclass of ion-molecule complexes. They may act as key intermediates of remarkable stability in both association and dissociation reactions of heteroatom-containing molecular ions. The H-bridge of such an HBRC can promote isomerization of its ionic component by H-transfer. Proton-transport catalysis (PTC) is a prime example. Here, a neutral molecule promotes the smooth transformation of an ion into its H-shift isomer by consecutive proton-transfer reactions. A celebrated case is the water catalyzed isomerization of CH(3)OH(?+) into its more stable distonic isomer (?)CH(2)OH(2)(+). Other early studies of PTC also deal with catalyzing 1,2-H shifts in association reactions. This short review focuses on more recent combined experimental and computational studies of catalysis in HBRCs. Mechanisms involving both proton and H atom transfers have been proposed for a variety of systems of H-shift isomers. It has also become clear that PTC is not confined to bimolecular reactions. It also features in the unimolecular chemistry of heteroatom- containing ions, which have a tendency to isomerize to HBRCs en route to their dissociation.