EPR and ENDOR study of thermally produced triphenylmethyl radicals

The ENDOR spectrum of the triphenylmethyl radical formed by heat treatment of triphenylmethane has been measured in solution at 131°C. The derived hyperfine coupling constants of 2.770, 2.556 and 1.138 G were used to simulate the extremely well resolved EPR spectrum. These coupling constants are in good agreement with spin densities determined for the planar radical by the McLachlan method.     

Pulse EPR and ENDOR study of 1,2,3-benzodithiazolyl, 2,1,3-benzothiaselenazolyl and 1,2,3-benzodiselenazolyl radicals

1,2,3-Benzodithiazolyl, 2,1,3-benzothiaselenazolyl and 1,2,3-benzodiselenazolyl radicals were generated by the reduction of the corresponding cations and investigated by pulse EPR and ENDOR in frozen CHCl(3) solutions at 30 and 80 K. These methods, in combination with density functional theory calculations, were used to study the magnetic parameters of the radicals, namely the principal values of the nitrogen and proton hyperfine interactions and g-tensors. The spin density distribution was shown to be nearly the same for all investigated radicals and, therefore, replacement of sulfur by selenium leads to a limited perturbation of the radicals' electronic structure. A high anisotropy of the g-tensors was found for the selenium-containing radicals.     

Pulsed high-frequency EPR study on the location of carotenoid and chlorophyll cation radicals in photosystem II

When the primary electron-donation pathway from the water-oxidation complex in photosystem II (PS II) is inhibited, chlorophyll (Chl(Z) and Chl(D)), beta-carotene (Car) and cytochrome b(559) are alternate electron donors that are believed to function in a photoprotection mechanism. Previous studies have demonstrated that high-frequency EPR spectroscopy (at 130 GHz), together with deuteration of PS II, yields resolved Car(+) and Chl(+) EPR signals (Lakshmi et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 10 445-10 448). The present study describes the use of pulsed high-frequency EPR spectroscopy to measure the location of the carotenoid and chlorophyll radicals relative to other paramagnetic cofactors in Synechococcus lividus PS II. The spin-lattice relaxation rates of the Car(+) and Chl(+) radicals are measured in manganese-depleted and manganese-depleted, cyanide-treated PS II; in these samples, the non-heme Fe(II) is high-spin (S = 2) and low-spin (S = 0), respectively. The Car(+) and Chl(+) radicals exhibit dipolar-enhanced relaxation rates in the presence of high-spin (S = 2) Fe(II) that are eliminated when the Fe(II) is low-spin (S = 0). The relaxation enhancements of the Car(+) and Chl(+) by the non-heme Fe(II) are smaller than the relaxation enhancement of Tyr(D)(*) and P(865)(+) by the non-heme Fe(II) in PS II and in the reaction center from Rhodobactersphaeroides, respectively, indicating that the Car(+)-Fe(II) and Chl(+)-Fe(II) distances are greater than the known Tyr(D)(*)-Fe(II) and P(865)(+)-Fe(II) distances. The Car(+) radical exhibits a greater relaxation enhancement by Fe(II) than the Chl(+) radical, consistent with Car being an earlier electron donor to P(680)(+) than Chl. On the basis of the distance estimates obtained in the present study and by analogy to carotenoid-binding sites in other pigment-protein complexes, possible binding sites are discussed for the Car cofactors in PS II. The relative location of Car(+) and Chl(+) radicals determined in this study provides valuable insight into the sequence of electron transfers in the alternate electron-donation pathways of PS II.     

Photo- and chemically-produced phylloquinone biradicals: EPR and ENDOR study

Phylloquinone biradical triplet species were generated by 300 nm irradiation of frozen (77 K) solutions or by treatment with AlCl₃. The shape of the (Δm_s=1) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal of the triplet is axially symmetric (E=0) with D=19±0.5 mT for photo-induced and D=11.2±0.5 mT for chemically induced radicals. A half-field signal (Δm_s=2) in the region of g≈4 was detected in both cases, confirming its assignment as a triplet. An additional line arising at the center of the (Δm_s=1) signal with g=2.0048±0.0002 was assigned to the phylloquinone radical anion (PhQ⁻). Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) measurements of the triplet revealed the sign of the D parameter. For photo-generated radicals it appeared to be negative, which is the characteristic of radical dimers with well-separated partners (biradicals). Spin–spin distances of 5.3 and 6.3 Å, respectively, were estimated from the D parameter of photo-generated and chemically prepared phylloquinone biradicals.     

An EPR study of thermally and photochemically generated oxygen radicals on hydrated and dehydrated titania surfaces

The formation of a series of oxygen-centred radicals on different TiO₂ samples (P25 and two different rutile materials) under various conditions was investigated using X-band c.w. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The radicals were formed either on thermally-reduced TiO₂, or by UV irradiation of the oxide under an oxygen atmosphere. The nature and stability of the radicals was also explored as a function of surface hydration. On thermally reduced TiO₂, containing surface and bulk Ti³⁺ centres, oxygen adsorption at 300 K results in the preferential formation and stabilisation of O₂ ^- anions on the P25 surface, but O^- and O₃ ^- anions are generated on the rutile surfaces. Superoxide anions (O^-) and trapped holes (O₂ ^-) were also identified after photo-irradiation of the thoroughly dehydrated TiO₂ samples under oxygen. The O^- anions were only visible at low temperatures under continuous irradiation, while the O₂ ^- anions were stable for days at 300 K. By comparison, on fully hydrated surfaces, no stable oxygen centred radicals could be detected on P25, while O₂ ^- anions were easily observed on the rutile surfaces. On partially hydrated P25, the O^-, O₂ ^- and HO₂ anions were detected after UV irradiation at 77 K; all radicals decayed upon warming to 298 K. On partially hydrated rutile, the O^- and O₂ ^- anions were detected and, unlike the case for P25, were found to be stable for days under the same conditions. The results illustrate the varied formation and stability of the oxygen centred radicals on TiO₂ surfaces depending on the pretreatment conditions.     

EPR study of radicals generated from bioactive S‐nitrosothiols and related thiols

Thermal or photolytic reactions of bioactive S‐nitrosothiols and related thiols in the presence of radical generators in deaerated DMSO or aqueous solutions under argon or saturated with nitric oxide (NO) produced nitroxides and an oxyaminyl radical, which were well characterized by EPR spectra. Nitroxides containing a thiyl substituent were obtained. Possible mechanisms are proposed. Bioactive S‐nitrosothiols such as S‐nitrosoglutathione, S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine and related thiols such as glutathione and N‐acetylpenicillamine were used for the investigation. Radical generators utilized as transient radical sources were 2,2^′‐azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2^′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, tert‐butyl peroxide and benzoyl peroxide. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EPR and fluorescence study of molecular dynamics of lipids in bilayers adsorbed on porous silica gel

Lipid bilayers immobilized on highly porous silica gel monoliths (SLBs) have been proposed as templates for chemosensors. Procedures for preparation and characterization of SLBs have been developed and applied. Rotational dynamics and orientational ordering at different depths in a SLB membrane and, for comparison, in bilayer liposomes have been studied for the first time using n-PC phospholipid spin labels.     

EPR/ENDOR study of an X-irradiated single crystal of: 1-triphenylphosphoranylidene-2-propanone: The role of hydrogen bonds in the trapping of radiogenic radicals

As shown from the crystal structure, the oxygen atom of Ph₃P=CH---C(O)CH₃ forms both intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. X-irradiation of this compounds produces a room-temperature-stable radical which was studied by single crystal EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy. Comparison of the experimental hyperfine couplings with those obtained from ab initio calculations shows that the radical cation Ph₃P⁺---CH=C(OH)CH₂ is formed under radiolysis. The principal directions of the hyperfine tensors indicate that, in this process, some of the hydrogen bonds are broken and that the radical undergoes a drastic reorientation around the Ph₃P---C bond.     

Intermolecular interactions on photolytically generated anion radicals of maleic anhydride measured by EPR

This paper deals with the results of EPR measurements and semi-empirical INDO calculations concerning the influence of intramolecular vibrations and specific intermolecular interactions between the maleic anhydride (MA) anion radical and polar solvents on the EPR coupling constants. The solvent dependence of the EPR coupling is caused by hydrogen bonding interactions with the solvent molecules.The lower the absolute values of the coupling constants, the stronger the solvent-radical anion interaction. The probable solvation structure of the two radical states, A and B, of the anion radical are discussed.     

EPR and ENDOR study of the frozen ammoniated electron at low alkali-metal concentrations

Ammoniated electrons in dilute frozen solutions are examined using EPR spectroscopy under conditions where the formation of metallic nanoparticles is avoided. Two signals from two different species have been observed. One signal is metastable and decays irreversibly upon annealing. The metastable species saturates at a spin concentration of 10 nM. The annealing temperature for this species amounts to 60 K for frozen solutions of sodium in neat ammonia and is raised upon addition of metal iodide. The observed g value is smaller than the free electron g value and is compatible with a cluster-anion radical rather than with a cavity electron. The wave function of the unpaired electron contains about 6%-10% of 2p character at nitrogen. The observed g shift is fully compatible with previously reported theoretical calculations (Shkrob, I. A. J. Phys. Chem. A 2006, 110, 3967-3976). The second signal cannot be annealed in the frozen state. The line shape is homogeneous, and its width depends on the identity of the metal and at large metal concentrations on the metal concentration itself. Upon increasing alkali metal concentration above 0.15 MPM, the line shape changes from Lorentzian to Dysonian, indicating the presence of metal nanoparticles. A new ENDOR pulse sequence is introduced to investigate the presence of weakly coupled nuclear spins for homogeneous EPR lines. The observations are critically compared with available literature data.     

DFT and direct ab-initio MD study on hyperfine coupling constants of methyl radicals adsorbed on model surface of silica gel

Methyl radicals interacting with silica gel surfaces have been investigated by means of DFT and direct ab-initio molecular dynamics (MD) methods using cluster models. Four typical binding sites of CH₃ on the cluster models were found in the geometry optimization from several initial geometries of CH₃ around the silica gel clusters. These were two silanol Si–OH sites and two siloxane Si–O–Si sites. In both sites, magnitude of hyperfine coupling constants of the methyl radical (a_H) was smaller than that of free CH₃ (a_H = 23.04 G). Temperature effects on a_H of the methyl radical were investigated by means of the direct ab-initio MD method. The hyperfine coupling constant of CH₃ interacting with the SiOH group decreased with increasing temperature. The methyl radical interacting with alkali metal supported silica gel was also investigated for comparison. The electronic states of methyl radicals on silica gel were discussed on the basis of theoretical results.     

EPR study of monomer-dimer equilibrium of nitroxyl radicals,containing an oxime group

Conclusions The EPR spectra of solutions of nitroxyl radicals, containing a ketoxime group, change from triplet to quintet in nonpolar organic solvents, which is caused by the formation of dimers involving oxime groups, in which the exchange interaction of the unpaired electrons of the paramagnetic centers is realized.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1153–1155, May, 1981.     

Application of thermal analysis for determination of film pressure and film surface energy on silica gel surface

The results of dynamic and quasi-isothermal thermodesorption of water from a silica gel surface at low furnace heating rates in the temperature range 20–125° are presented. From the experimental results, the water film pressure π on silica gel surface, the activation energy ΔE and the evaporation heat ΔH were calculated. An interpretation of π changes in relation to the film thickness and wetting process has been proposed. It is concluded that the characteristic film pressure values correspond to the work of spreading, and immersional, adhesional and adhesional-cohesional wetting. From the determined film pressure values, the average value of the silica gel polar component, γ _s ^P , was calculated to be 114.67 mJ/m².     

An EPR, ENDOR and EIE study of gamma-irradiated poly (lactide-co-glycolide) polymers

Gamma radiation of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) raw polymers and processed microspheres under vacuum and at 77 K results in the formation of a series of free radicals. The resulting powder electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum contains a distribution of several different radicals, depending on the annealing temperature, and is therefore difficult to interpret. By utilising the selectivity of the electron nuclear DOuble resonance (ENDOR) and associated ENDOR induced EPR (EIE) techniques, a more direct approach for the deconvolution of the EPR spectrum can be achieved. Using this approach, the radiolytically induced CH3 *CHC(O)R- chain scission radical was identified at 120 K by simulation of the EIE spectrum. At elevated temperatures (250 K), this radical decays considerably and the more stable radicals -O*CHC(O)-, CH3 *C(OR)C(O)- and CH3 *C(OH)C(O)- predominate. This work demonstrates the utility of the EIE approach to supplement and aid the interpretation of powder EPR spectra of radicals in a polymer matrix.     

EPR study of light illumination effects on radicals in gamma-irradiated L-alanine

Exposure of gamma-irradiated L-alanine samples to sunlight and to light from a regular, fluorescent lamp resulted in significant changes in their EPR resonance patterns, both to spectral shapes and intensities. The experimental EPR spectra were numerically decomposed into three components reflecting contributions of three different radicals (R1-R3) generated by ionizing radiation in alanine. The light exposure caused a decay of the measured EPR signal intensity. For similar light intensities and exposure times the decay was much more pronounced in samples illuminated by sunlight than in samples illuminated by the fluorescent lamp. In both cases light-induced decay of R1 radicals was observed. Sunlight illumination resulted in a moderate decay of R2 radicals and in a doubling of the R3 radical population. On the other hand, fluorescent light caused a significant increase of R2 radicals and did not change the amount of R3 radicals. A quantitative analysis of the variations of the three radical contributions to the total EPR spectra upon fluorescent light exposure suggests a net R1-->R2 free radical transformation. These effects of light on the alanine dosimetric signal should be taken into account in dosimetry protocols, assuring protection of alanine dosimeters from extended exposure to light.     

Interactions of an asymmetric amine with a non-C2 symmetric Cu-salen complex: an EPR/ENDOR and HYSCORE investigation

Single enantiomers of R-/S-methylbenzylamine (MBA) were found to selectively form adducts with the chiral non-C(2) symmetric Cu-salen complex N-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-N'-(salicylidene)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine copper(II), hereafter labelled [Cu(3)]. The g/A spin Hamiltonian parameters of this Cu(II) complex showed a decrease in symmetry from axial to rhombic upon formation of the [Cu(3)] + MBA adducts. The selectivity in enantiomeric discrimination was found to be only 59 ± 5% in favour of the heterochiral R,R'-[Cu(3)] + S-MBA and S,S'-[Cu(3)] + R-MBA adducts. This was directly evidenced by W-band EPR spectroscopy. The observed low selectivity for enantiomer discrimination is primarily attributed to the loss of the bulky tert-butyl groups from the 3,5 positions of [Cu(3)] compared to the parent N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine copper(II) ligand (labelled [Cu(1)]). The structure of the [Cu(3)] complex in the presence and absence of coordinating amine was further investigated by analysis of the ligand hyperfine interactions, as revealed through Q-band CW-ENDOR, X-band Davies ENDOR and HYSCORE. (1)H couplings from the -NH(2) group of the amine, observed by ENDOR and HYSCORE, provided direct evidence of amine coordination.     

Production of radicals in polyoxymethylene by ultraviolet photolysis: An EPR study

Polyoxymethylene (POM) was photolyzed at 2537 and at 3130 Å at ?196°C. The EPR spectra of the radical intermediates were recorded. Photolysis in vacuo produces a small number of radicals, apparently due to the presence of traces of chromophores. Photolysis in oxygen, however, is a type of photo-oxidation. The radicals HCO, , CH₃·, and HOO· were detected and identified as intermediate products of photolysis. Hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals were too reactive (i.e., mobile) at ?196°C to be observed. Alkoxy and alkyl radicals and the POM peroxy radical were probably formed as well but could not be characterized with certainty.