Rapid cross-disproportionation between superoxometal ions and acylperoxyl radicals

A superoxochromium complex Cr(aq)OO(2+) reacts with acetylperoxyl radicals, CH(3)C(O)OO(*), with a rate constant of 1.49 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). The kinetics were determined by laser flash photolysis, using an organocobalt complex as a radical precursor and ABTS(*-) as a kinetic probe. The initial step is believed to involve radical coupling at the remote oxygen of Cr(aq)OO(2+), followed by elimination of O(2) and formation of CH(3)COOH and Cr(V)(aq)O(3+). The latter disproportionates and ultimately yields Cr(aq)(3+) and HCrO(4)(-).     

The outer-sphere oxidation of nitrosyliron(II)hemoglobin by peroxynitrite leads to the release of nitrogen monoxide

It has been suggested that nitrosyliron(II)hemoglobin may represent a form of stabilized NO. and may be responsible for NO. delivery in the peripheral circulation. In this work, we show that NO. can be released from nitrosyliron(II)hemoglobin through reaction with peroxynitrite. Outer-sphere oxidation of the iron center generates nitrosyliron(III)hemoglobin, from which NO. dissociates at a rate of ca. 1 s(-1). The second-order rate constant for the reaction of peroxynitrite with nitrosyliron(II)hemoglobin is (6.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) (at pH 7.2 and 20 degrees C). In the presence of 1.2 mM CO(2), the rather large value of the second-order rate constant, (5.3 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) (at pH 7.2 and 20 degrees C), indicates that this reaction may take place in vivo. The reactive nitrogen species generated from this reaction, N(2)O(3) and/or NO(2), may lead to protein modifications, such as nitration of tyrosine and/or tryptophan residues and nitrosation of cysteine residues.     

One-electron reduction of methanesulfonyl chloride. The fate of MeSO2Cl(.)(-) and MeSO2(.) intermediates in oxygenated solutions and their role in the cis-trans isomerization of mono-unsaturated fatty acids

The one-electron reduction of methanesulfonyl chloride (MeSO2Cl) leads, in the first instance, to an electron adduct MeSO2Cl(.)(-) which lives long enough for direct detection and decays into sulfonyl radicals MeSO2(.) and Cl(-), with k = 1.5 x 10(6) s(-1). Both, MeSO2Cl(.)(-) and MeSO2(.) showed a similar absorption in the UV with lambdamax of 320 nm. In the presence of oxygen, MeSO2Cl(.)(-) transfers an electron to O(2) and establishes an equilibrium with superoxide. The rate constant for the forward reaction was measured to 4.1 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), while for the back reaction only an interval of 1.7 x 10(5) to 1.7 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) could be estimated, with a somewhat higher degree of confidence for the lower value. This corresponds to an equilibrium constant in the range of 2.4 x 10(3) to 2.4 x 10(4). With reference to E degrees (O2/O2(.)(-)) = -155 mV, the redox potential of the sulfonyl chloride couple, E degrees (MeSO2Cl/MeSO2Cl(.)(-)), thus results between being equal to -355 and -414 mV (vs NHE). MeSO2Cl(.)(-) reduces (besides O2) 4-nitroacetophenone. The underlying electron transfer took place with k = 1.5 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), corroborating an E degrees for the sulfonyl chloride couple significantly exceeding the above listed lower value. The MeSO2(.) radical added to oxygen with a rate constant of 1.1 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). Re-dissociation of O2 from MeSO2OO(.) occurred only very slowly, if at all, that is, with k < 10(5) s(-1). MeSO2(.) radicals can act as the catalyst for the cis-trans isomerization of several Z- and E-mono-unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters in homogeneous solution. The effectiveness of the isomerization processes has been addressed, and in the presence of oxygen the isomerization is completely suppressed.     

Reaction of O2 with the hydrogen atom in water up to 350 degrees C

The reaction of the H* atom with O2, giving the hydroperoxyl HO2* radical, has been investigated in pressurized water up to 350 degrees C using pulse radiolysis and deep-UV transient absorption spectroscopy. The reaction rate behavior is highly non-Arrhenius, with near diffusion-limited behavior at room temperature, increasing to a near constant limiting value of approximately 5 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1) above 250 degrees C. The high-temperature rate constant is in near-perfect agreement with experimental extrapolations and ab initio calculations of the gas-phase high-pressure limiting rate. As part of the study, reaction of the OH* radical with H2 has been reevaluated at 350 degrees C, giving a rate constant of (6.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). The mechanism of the H* atom reaction with the HO2* radical is also investigated and discussed.     

Disproportionation pathways of aqueous hyponitrite radicals (HN2O2(*)/N2O2(*-))

Pulse radiolysis and flash photolysis are used to generate the hyponitrite radicals (HN2O2(*)/N2O2(*-)) by one-electron oxidation of the hyponitrite in aqueous solution. Although the radical decay conforms to simple second-order kinetics, its mechanism is complex, comprising a short chain of NO release-consumption steps. In the first, rate-determining step, two N2O2(*-) radicals disproportionate with the rate constant 2k = (8.2 +/- 0.5) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) (at zero ionic strength) effectively in a redox reaction regenerating N2O2(2-) and releasing two NO. This occurs either by electron transfer or, more likely, through radical recombination-dissociation. Each NO so-produced rapidly adds to another N2O2(*-), yielding the N3O3(-) ion, which slowly decomposes at 300 s(-1) to the final N2O + NO2(-) products. The N2O2(*-) radical protonates with pKa = 5.6 +/- 0.3. The neutral HN2O2(*) radical decays by an analogous mechanism but much more rapidly with the apparent second-order rate constant 2k = (1.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). The N2O2(*-) radical shows surprisingly low reactivity toward O2 and O2(*-), with the corresponding rate constants below 1 x 10(6) and 5 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). The previously reported rapid dissociation of N2O2(*-) into N2O and O(*-) does not occur. The thermochemistry of HN2O2(*)/N2O2(*-) is discussed in the context of these new kinetic and mechanistic results.     

Reaction of HO* with guanine derivatives in aqueous solution: formation of two different redox-active OH-adduct radicals and their unimolecular transformation reactions. Properties of G(-H)*

The reaction of *OH with 2'-deoxyguanosine yields two transient species, both identified as OH adducts (G*-OH), with strongly different reactivity towards O2, or other oxidants, or to reductants. One of these, identified as the OH adduct at the C-8 position (yield 17% relative to *OH), reacts with oxygen with k=4 x 10(9)M(-1)s(-1); in the absence of oxygen it undergoes a rapid ring-opening reaction (k = 2 x 10(5) s(-1) at pH4-9), visible as an increase of absorbance at 300-310 nm. This OH adduct and its ring-opened successor are one-electron reductants towards, for example, methylviologen or [Fe(III)(CN)6]3-. The second adduct, identified as the OH adduct at the 4-position (yield of 60-70% relative to *OH), has oxidizing properties (towards N,N,N',N'-tetra-methyl-p-phenylenediamine, promethazine, or [Fe(II)(CN)6]4-). This OH adduct undergoes a slower transformation reaction (k = 6 x 10(3) s(-1) in neutral, unbuffered solution) to produce the even more strongly oxidizing (deprotonated, depending on pH) 2'-deoxyguanosine radical cation, and it practically does not react with oxygen (k< or = 10(6)M(-1)s(-1)). The (deprotonated) radical cation, in dilute aqueous solution, does not give rise to 8-oxoguanosine as a product. However, it is able to react with ribose with k< or =4 x 10(3)M(-1)S(-1).     

Kinetics and mechanisms of chlorine dioxide and chlorite oxidations of cysteine and glutathione

Chlorine dioxide oxidation of cysteine (CSH) is investigated under pseudo-first-order conditions (with excess CSH) in buffered aqueous solutions, p[H+] 2.7-9.5 at 25.0 degrees C. The rates of chlorine dioxide decay are first order in both ClO2 and CSH concentrations and increase rapidly as the pH increases. The proposed mechanism is an electron transfer from CS- to ClO2 (1.03 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) with a subsequent rapid reaction of the CS* radical and a second ClO2 to form a cysteinyl-ClO2 adduct (CSOClO). This highly reactive adduct decays via two pathways. In acidic solutions, it hydrolyzes to give CSO(2)H (sulfinic acid) and HOCl, which in turn rapidly react to form CSO3H (cysteic acid) and Cl-. As the pH increases, the (CSOClO) adduct reacts with CS- by a second pathway to form cystine (CSSC) and chlorite ion (ClO2-). The reaction stoichiometry changes from 6 ClO2:5 CSH at low pH to 2 ClO2:10 CSH at high pH. The ClO2 oxidation of glutathione anion (GS-) is also rapid with a second-order rate constant of 1.40 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). The reaction of ClO2 with CSSC is 7 orders of magnitude slower than the corresponding reaction with cysteinyl anion (CS-) at pH 6.7. Chlorite ion reacts with CSH; however, at p[H+] 6.7, the observed rate of this reaction is slower than the ClO2/CSH reaction by 6 orders of magnitude. Chlorite ion oxidizes CSH while being reduced to HOCl, which in turn reacts rapidly with CSH to form Cl-. The reaction products are CSSC and CSO3H with a pH-dependent distribution similar to the ClO2/CSH system.     

Generation and reactivity toward oxygen of carbon-centered radicals containing indane,indene, and fluorenyl moieties

Resonance-stabilized radicals containing indane, indene, and fluorenyl moieties exhibit attenuated reactivity toward oxygen. Rate constants of approximately 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) were observed for the most stabilized radicals. The dependence of k(OX) (rate constant for radical trapping by oxygen) on the corresponding bond dissociation energies revealed that stereoelectronic effects are more important than steric effects in determining the low radical reactivity with oxygen. Scavenging by the nitroxide TEMPO was also examined, and revealed that in this case steric effects are more important than in the case of oxygen. The rate constants for the hydrogen abstraction by cumyloxyl and tert-butoxyl radicals generated thermally and photochemically have been determined in benzene, and were in the range of ca. (1-13) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), showing that benzylic stabilization has a modest effect on substrate reactivity as a hydrogen donor toward alkoxyl radicals.     

Formation and reactivity of a persistent radical in a dinuclear molybdenum complex

The reactivity of the S-H bond in Cp*Mo(mu-S) 2(mu-SMe)(mu-SH)MoCp* ( S 4 MeH) has been explored by determination of kinetics of hydrogen atom abstraction to form the radical Cp*Mo(mu-S) 3(mu-SMe)MoCp* ( S 4 Me*), as well as reaction of hydrogen with the radical-dimer equilibrium to reform the S-H complex. From the temperature dependent rate data for the abstraction of hydrogen atom by benzyl radical, Delta H (double dagger) and Delta S (double dagger) were determined to be 1.54 +/- 0.25 kcal/mol and -25.5 +/- 0.8 cal/mol K, respectively, giving k abs = 1.3 x 10 (6) M (-1) s (-1) at 25 degrees C. In steady state abstraction kinetic experiments, the exclusive radical termination product of the Mo 2S 4 core was found to be the benzyl cross-termination product, Cp*Mo(mu-S) 2(mu-SMe)(mu-SBz)MoCp* ( S 4 MeBz), consistent with the Fischer-Ingold persistent radical effect. S 4 Me* was found to reversibly dimerize by formation of a weak bridging disulfide bond to form the tetranuclear complex (Cp*Mo(mu-S) 2(mu-SMe)MoCp*) 2(mu-S 2) ( ( S 4 Me) 2 ). The radical-dimer equilibrium constant has been determined to be 5.7 x 10 (4) +/- 2.1 x 10 (4) M (-1) from EPR data. The rate constant for dissociation of the dimer was found to be 1.1 x 10 (3) s (-1) at 25 degrees C, based on variable temperature (1)H NMR data. The rate constant for dimerization of the radical has been estimated to be 6.5 x 10 (7) M (-1) s (-1) in toluene at room temperature, based on the dimer dissociation rate constant and the equilibrium constant for dimerization. Structures are presented for ( S 4 Me) 2 , S 4 MeBz, and the cationic Cp*Mo(mu-S 2)(mu-S)(mu-SMe)MoCp*(OTf) ( S 4 Me ( + )), a precursor of the radical and the alkylated derivatives. Evidence for a radical addition/elimination pathway at an Mo 2S 4 core is presented.     

Mechanism of catalytic aziridination with manganese corrole: the often postulated high-valent Mn(V) imido is not the group transfer reagent

The reaction of Arl=NTs (Ar = 2-(tert-butylsulfonyl)benzene and Ts = p-toluenesulfonyl) and (tpfc)Mn (tpfc=5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole), 1, affords the high-valent (tpfc)MnV=NTs, 2, on stopped-flow time scale. The reaction proceeds via the adduct [(tpfc)MnIII(ArINTs)], 3, with formation constant K3 = (10 +/- 2) x 10(3) L mol-1. Subsequently, 3 undergoes unimolecular group transfer to give complex 2 with the rate constant k4 = 0.26 +/- 0.07 s-1 at 24.0 degrees C. The complex (tpfc)Mn catalyzes [NTs] group transfer from ArINTs to styrene substrates with low catalyst loading and without requirement of excess olefin. The catalytic aziridination reaction is most efficient in benzene because solvents such as toluene undergo a competing hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction resulting in H2NTs and lowered aziridine yields. The high-valent manganese imido complex (tpfc)Mn=NTs does not transfer its [NTs] group to styrene. Double-labeling experiments with ArINTs and ArINTstBu (TstBu = (p-tert-butylphenyl)sulfonyl) establish the source of [NR] transfer as a "third oxidant", which is an adduct of Mn(V) imido, [(tpfc)Mn(NTstBu)(ArINTs)](4). Formation of this oxidant is rate limiting in catalysis.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of chlorine dioxide oxidation of tryptophan

The reactions of aqueous ClO2 (*) and tryptophan (Trp) are investigated by stopped-flow kinetics, and the products are identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and by ion chromatography. The rates of ClO2 (*) loss increase from pH 3 to 5, are essentially constant from pH 5 to 7, and increase from pH 7 to 10. The reactions are first-order in Trp with variable order in ClO2 (*). Below pH 5.0, the reactions are second- or mixed-order in [ClO2 (*)], depending on the chlorite concentration. Above pH 5.0, the reactions are first-order in [ClO2 (*)] in the absence of added chlorite. At pH 7.0, the Trp reaction with ClO2 (*) is first-order in each reactant with a second-order rate constant of 3.4 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 25.0 degrees C. In the proposed mechanism, the initial reaction is a one-electron oxidation to form a tryptophyl radical cation and chlorite ion. The radical cation deprotonates to form a neutral tryptophyl radical that combines rapidly with a second ClO 2 (*) to give an observable, short-lived adduct ( k obs = 48 s(-1)) with proposed C(H)-OClO bonding. This adduct decays to give HOCl in a three-electron oxidation. The overall reaction consumes two ClO2 (*) per Trp and forms ClO2- and HOCl. This corresponds to a four-electron oxidation. Decay of the tryptophyl-OClO adduct at pH 6.4 gives five initial products that are observed after 2 min and are separated by HPLC with elution times that vary from 4 to 17 min (with an eluent of 6.3% CH 3OH and 0.1% CH 3COOH). Each of these products is characterized by mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectroscopy. One initial product with a molecular weight of 236 decays within 47 min to yield the most stable product, N-formylkynurenine (NFK), which also has a molecular weight of 236. Other products also are observed and examined.     

Bimolecular hole transfer from the trimethoxybenzene radical cation in the excited state

Bimolecular hole transfer quenching of the 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene radical cation (TMB*+) in the excited state (TMB*+*) by hole quenchers (Q) such as biphenyl (Bp), naphthalene (Np), anisole (An), and benzene (Bz) with higher oxidation potentials than that of TMB was directly observed during the two-color two-laser flash photolysis at room temperature. From the linear relationships between the inverse of the transient absorption changes of TMB*+ during the second 532-nm laser excitation versus the inverse of the concentration of Q, the rate constant of the hole transfer from TMB*+* to Q was estimated to be (8.5 +/- 0.4) x 10(10), (1.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(11), (1.3 +/- 0.6) x 10(11), and (6.4 +/- 0.3) x 10(10) M(-1)s(-1) for Bp, An, Np, and Bz, respectively, in acetonitrile based on the lifetime of TMB*+*. The estimated rate constants are larger than the diffusion-controlled rate constant in acetonitrile. Short lifetime, high energy, and high oxidation potential of TMB*+* cause the lifetime-dependent quenching process or static quenching process as the major process during the quenching of TMB*+* by Q as indicated by the Ware's theoretical model. The subsequent hole transfer from Q*+ to TMB, giving TMB*+, was found to occur at the diffusion-controlled rate for Bp and An as Q. For Q such as Np and Bz, the dimerization of Q*+ with Q to give dimer radical cation (Q2*+) occurred competitively with the hole transfer from Q*+ to TMB.     

Hypohalite ion catalysis of the disproportionation of chlorine dioxide

The disproportionation of chlorine dioxide in basic solution to give ClO2- and ClO3- is catalyzed by OBr- and OCl-. The reactions have a first-order dependence in both [ClO2] and [OX-] (X = Br, Cl) when the ClO2- concentrations are low. However, the reactions become second-order in [ClO2] with the addition of excess ClO2-, and the observed rates become inversely proportional to [ClO2-]. In the proposed mechanisms, electron transfer from OX- to ClO2(k1OBr- = 2.05 +/- 0.03 M(-1) x s(-1) for OBr(-)/ClO2 and k1OCl-= 0.91 +/- 0.04 M(-1) x s(-1) for OCl-/ClO2) occurs in the first step to give OX and ClO2-. This reversible step (k1OBr-/k(-1)OBr = 1.3 x 10(-7) for OBr-/ClO2, / = 5.1 x 10(-10) for OCl-/ClO2) accounts for the observed suppression by ClO2-. The second step is the reaction between two free radicals (XO and ClO2) to form XOClO2. These rate constants are = 1.0 x 10(8) M(-1) x s(-1) for OBr/ClO2 and = 7 x 10(9) M(-1) x s(-1) for OCl/ClO2. The XOClO2 adduct hydrolyzes rapidly in the basic solution to give ClO3- and to regenerate OX-. The activation parameters for the first step are DeltaH1(++) = 55 +/- 1 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS1(++) = - 49 +/- 2 J x mol(-1) x K(-1) for the OBr-/ClO2 reaction and DeltaH1(++) = 61 +/- 3 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS1(++) = - 43 +/- 2 J x mol(-1) x K(-1) for the OCl-/ClO2 reaction.     

Equilibrium and Kinetics of Bromine Hydrolysis

Equilibrium constants for bromine hydrolysis, K(1) = [HOBr][H(+)][Br(-)]/[Br(2)(aq)], are determined as a function of ionic strength (&mgr;) at 25.0 degrees C and as a function of temperature at &mgr; approximately 0 M. At &mgr; approximately 0 M and 25.0 degrees C, K(1) = (3.5 +/- 0.1) x 10(-)(9) M(2) and DeltaH degrees = 62 +/- 1 kJ mol(-)(1). At &mgr; = 0.50 M and 25.0 degrees C, K(1) = (6.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(-)(9) M(2) and the rate constant (k(-)(1)) for the reverse reaction of HOBr + H(+) + Br(-) equals (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(10) M(-)(2) s(-)(1). This reaction is general-acid-assisted with a Br?nsted alpha value of 0.2. The corresponding Br(2)(aq) hydrolysis rate constant, k(1), equals 97 s(-)(1), and the reaction is general-base-assisted (beta = 0.8).     

Characterisation of carotenoid radical cations in liposomal environments: interaction with vitamin C

Pulse radiolysis was used to generate the radical cations of beta-carotene and two xanthophylls, zeaxanthin and lutein, in unilamellar vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidyl choline. The rate constants for the reaction (repair) of these carotenoid radical cations with the water-soluble vitamin C were found to be similar (approximately 1x10(7) M(-1) s(-1)) for beta-carotene and zeaxanthin and somewhat lower (approximately 0.5x10(7) M(-1) s(-1)) for lutein. The results are discussed in terms of the microenvironment of the carotenoids and suggest that for beta-carotene, a hydrocarbon carotenoid, the radical cation is able to interact with a water-soluble species even though the parent hydrocarbon carotenoid is probably entirely in the non-polar region of the liposome.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of the hydrolytic ring-opening of the malondialdehyde-deoxyguanosine adduct, 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)- pyrimido[1,2-alpha]purin-10(3H)-one

3-(2'-Deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrimido[1,2-alpha]purin-10(3H)-one (M1dG) is the major reaction product of deoxyguanosine with malondialdehyde or base propenals. M1dG undergoes hydrolytic ring-opening to N2-oxopropenyl-deoxyguanosine (N2OPdG) under basic conditions. We report that ring-opening of M1dG as a nucleoside or in oligonucleotides is a reversible second-order reaction with hydroxide ion. NMR and UV analysis revealed N2OPdG(-) to be the only product of M1dG ring-opening in basic solution. The rate constant for reaction of M1dG with hydroxide is 3.8 M(-1) s(-1), and the equilibrium constant is calculated to be 2.1 +/- 0.3 x 10(4) M(-1) at 25 degrees C. Equilibrium constants determined by spectroscopic analysis of the reaction end-point or by thermodynamic analysis of rate constants determined over a range of temperatures yielded a value 2.5 +/- 0.2 x 10(4) M(-1). Kinetic analysis of ring-opening of M1dG in oligonucleotides indicated the rate constant for ring-opening is decreased 10-fold compared to that in the nucleoside. Flanking purines or pyrimidines did not significantly alter the rate constants for ring-opening, but purines flanking M1dG enhanced the rate constant for the reverse reaction. A mechanism is proposed for ring-opening of M1dG under basic conditions and a role is proposed for duplex DNA in accelerating the rate of ring-opening of M1dG at neutral pH.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of hydroxyl radicals and hydrated electrons with nitrosamines and nitramines in water

Absolute rate constants for hydroxyl radical, *OH, and hydrated electron, e(aq)(-), reactions with low-molecular-weight nitrosamines and nitramines in water at room temperature were measured using the techniques of electron pulse radiolysis and transient absorption spectroscopy. The bimolecular rate constants obtained, k (M(-1) s(-1)), for e(aq)(-) and *OH reactions, respectively, were as follows: methylethylnitrosamine, (1.67 +/- 0.06) x 10(10) and (4.95 +/- 0.21) x 10(8); diethylnitrosamine, (1.61 +/- 0.06) x 10(10) and (6.99 +/- 0.28) x 10(8); dimethylnitramine, (1.91 +/- 0.07) x 10(10) and (5.44 +/- 0.20) x 10(8); methylethylnitramine, (1.83 +/- 0.15) x 10(10) and (7.60 +/- 0.43) x 10(8); and diethylnitramine, (1.76 +/- 0.07) x 10(10) and (8.67 +/- 0.48) x 10(8), respectively. MNP/DMPO spin-trapping experiments demonstrated that hydroxyl radical reaction with these compounds occurs by hydrogen atom abstraction from an alkyl group, while the reaction of the hydrated electron was to form a transient radical anion. The latter adduct formation implies that the excess electron could subsequently be transferred to regenerate the parent chemical, which would significantly reduce the effectiveness of any free-radical-based remediation effort on nitrosamine/nitramine-contaminated waters.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Formation and Acid Dissociation of Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), and Copper(II) Complexes with the Highly Enolized beta-Diketone 3-(N-Acetylamido)pentane-2,4-dione (=Hamac) in Aqueous Solution

The beta-diketone Hamac = 3-(N-acetylamido)pentane-2,4-dione was characterized by potentiometric, spectrophotometric, and kinetic methods. In water, Hamac is very soluble (2.45 M) and strongly enolized, with [enol]/[ketone] = 2.4 +/- 0.1. The pK(a) of Hamac is 7.01 +/- 0.07, and the rate constants for enolization, k(e), and ketonization, k(k), at 298 K are 0.0172 +/- 0.0004 s(-1) and 0.0074 +/- 0.0015 s(-1), respectively. An X-ray structure analysis of the copper(II) complex Cu(amac)(2).toluene (=C(21)H(28)CuN(2)O(6); monoclinic, C2/c; a = 20.434(6), b = 11.674(4), c = 19.278(6) ?; beta = 100.75(1) degrees; Z = 8; R(w) = 0.0596) was carried out. The bidentate anions amac(-) coordinate the copper via the two diketo oxygen atoms to form a slightly distorted planar CuO(4) coordination core. Rapid-scan stopped-flow spectrophotometry was used to study the kinetics of the reaction of divalent metal ions M(2+) (M = Ni,Co,Cu) with Hamac in buffered aqueous solution at variable pH and I = 0.5 M (NaClO(4)) under pseudo-first-order conditions ([M(2+)](0) > [Hamac](0)) to form the mono complex M(amac)(+). For all three metals the reaction is biphasic. The absorbance/time data can be fitted to the sum of two exponentials, which leads to first-order rate constants k(f) (fast initial step) and k(s) (slower second step). The temperature dependence of k(f) and k(s) was measured. It follows from the kinetic data that (i) the keto tautomer of Hamac, HK, does not react with the metal ions M(2+), (ii) the rate constant k(f) increases linearly with [M(2+)](0) according to k(f) = k(0) + k(2)[M(2+)](0), and (iii) the rate constant k(s) does not depend on [M(2+)](0) and describes the enolization of the unreactive keto tautomer HK. The pH dependence of the second-order rate constant k(2) reveals that both the enol tautomer of Hamac, HE, and the enolate, E(-), react with M(2+) in a second-order reaction to form the species M(amac)(+). At 298 K rate constants k(HE) are 18 +/- 6 (Ni), 180 +/- 350 (Co), and (9 +/- 5) x 10(4) (Cu) M(-1) s(-1) and rate constants k(E) are 924 +/- 6 (Ni), (7.4 +/- 0.6) x 10(4) (Co), and (8.4 +/- 0.2) x 10(8) (Cu) M(-1) s(-1). The acid dissociation of the species M(amac)(+) is triphasic. Very rapid protonation (first step) leads to M(Hamac)(2+), which is followed by dissociation of M(Hamac)(2+) and M(amac)(+), respectively (second step). The liberated enol Hamac ketonizes (third step). The mechanistic implications of the metal dependence of rate constants k(HE), k(E), k(-HE), and k(-E) are discussed.     

Mechanistic studies of the reactions of nitrone spin trap PBN with glutathiyl radical

We performed mechanistic studies of the reaction of PBN with the physiologically relevant glutathiyl radical, GS*, formed upon oxidation of the intracellular antioxidant, glutathione, GSH. The scavenging rate constant of GS* by PBN has been measured directly by laser flash photolysis and indirectly by competitive EPR of the spin adduct of PBN and another spin trap, DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide), and was found to be 6.7 x 107 M(-1) s(-1). Reverse decomposition of the paramagnetic PBN-glutathiyl radical adduct to the nitrone and thiyl radical was observed for the first time. The rate constant for the reaction of the monomolecular decomposition of the radical adduct was found to be 1.7 s(-1). Diamagnetic, EPR-invisible products of PBN adduct degradation were studied by 1H NMR and 19F NMR using newly synthesized fluorine-substituted PBN.     

Mechanisms of NO release by N1-nitrosomelatonin: nucleophilic attack versus reducing pathways

A new type of physiologically relevant nitrosamines have been recently recognized, the N(1)-nitrosoindoles. The possible pathways by which N(1)-nitrosomelatonin (NOMel) can react in physiological environments have been studied. Our results show that NOMel slowly decomposes spontaneously in aqueous solution, generating melatonin as the main organic product (k = (3.7 +/- 1.1) x 10(-5) s(-1), Tris-HCl (0.2 M) buffer, pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C, anaerobic). This rate is accelerated by acidification (k(pH 5.8) = (4.5 +/- 0.7) x 10(-4) s(-1), k(pH 8.8) = (3.9 +/- 0.6) x 10(-6) s(-1), Tris-HCl (0.2 M) buffer at 37 degrees C), by the presence of O(2) (k(o) = (9.8 +/- 0.1) x 10(-5) s(-1), pH 7.4, 37 degrees C, [NOMel] = 0.1 mM, P(O(2)) = 1 atm), and by the presence of the spin trap TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl; k(o) = (2.0 +/- 0.1) x 10(-4) s(-1), pH 7.4, 37 degrees C, [NOMel] = 0.1 mM, [TEMPO] = 9 mM). We also found that NOMel can transnitrosate to l-cysteinate, producing S-nitrosocysteine and melatonin (k = 0.127 +/- 0.002 M(-1) s(-1), Tris-HCl (0.2 M) buffer, pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C). The reaction of NOMel with ascorbic acid as a reducing agent has also been studied. This rapid reaction produces nitric oxide and melatonin. The saturation of the observed rate constant (k = (1.08 +/- 0.04) x 10(-3) s(-1), Tris-HCl (0.2 M) buffer, pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C) at high ascorbic acid concentration (100-fold with respect to NOMel) and the pH independence of this reaction in the pH range 7-9 indicate that the reactive species are ascorbate and melatonyl radical originated from the reversible homolysis of NOMel. Taking into account kinetic and DFT calculation data, a comprehensive mechanism for the denitrosation of NOMel is proposed. On the basis of our kinetics results, we conclude that under physiological conditions NOMel mainly reacts with endogenous reducing agents (such as ascorbic acid), producing nitric oxide and melatonin.