Resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of chrysene: a comparison with tetracene

We report the electronic and vibrational spectroscopy of chrysene using resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. As an isomer of tetracene, chrysene contains a kink in the middle of the four fused hexagonal rings, which complicates not just the symmetry but, more importantly, the molecular orbitals and hence vibronic transitions. Incidentally, the two nearby electronically excited states of chrysene have the same symmetry, and vibronic coupling introduces no out-of-plane vibrational modes. As a result, the REMPI spectrum of chrysene contains essentially only in-plane ring deformation modes, similar to that of tetracene. However, density functional calculations using gaussian even after the inclusion of vibronic coupling can only duplicate the observed REMPI spectrum in a qualitative sense, and the agreement is considerably worse than our recent work on a few pericondensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and on tetracene. The ZEKE spectrum of chrysene via the origin band of the intermediate electronic state S(1), however, can be qualitatively reproduced by a straightforward Franck-Condon calculation. The ZEKE spectra from vibrationally excited states of the S(1), on the other hand, demonstrate some degree of mode selectivity: the overall intensity of the ZEKE spectrum can vary by an order of magnitude depending on the vibrational mode of the intermediate state. A scaling factor in the theoretical vibrational frequency for the cation is also needed to compare with the experimental result, unlike tetracene and pentacene.     

The use of symmetry in enantioselective synthesis: four pairs of chrysene enantiomers prepared from 19-nortestosterone

Expansion of the D-ring of 19-norsteroids with incorporation of the steroid C-18 methyl group into a newly formed six-membered ring provides easy access to the chrysene ring system. By taking advantage of the symmetry of the chrysene ring system and avoiding meso chrysene intermediates, four optically pure 2,8-difunctionalized (C-2 hydroxyl group and C-8 oxo group) hexadecahydrochrysene diastereomers, and their corresponding optically pure enantiomers were prepared from 19-nortestosterone. The eight chrysene stereoisomers are of interest as starting materials for preparing chrysene analogues of physiologically important neurosteroids.     

1,4-Photoaddition of maleic anhydride to chrysene

The photoDiels-Alder reaction of maleic anhydride with chrysene yields chryseno[4,5-efg]isobenzofuran-4,6-dion (VI). Heavy atom experiments using xenon as an external perturber show that the reaction occurs via the lowest singlet excited state of chrysene. Hydrogen is abstracted from the primaryDiels-Alder adduct IV by the solvent CH₂Cl₂ possibly in a two-step mechanism. The reaction presents a new type of photoreaction, its mechanism possibly follows a scheme not considered so far in photochemistry.

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1,4-Photoaddition von Maleinsäureanhydrid an Chrysen

Zusammenfassung Die Photo-Diels-Alder-Reaktion von Maleinsäureanhydrid mit Chrysen ergibt Chryseno[4,5-efg]-isobenzofuran-4,6-dion (VI). Schweratomexperimente mit Xenon als äußerer Störer zeigen, daß die Reaktion vom niedrigst angeregten Singulettzustand des Chrysens ausgeht. Die Abstraktion von Wasserstoffatomen aus dem primärenDiels-Alder-Addukt IV durch das Lösungsmittel CH₂Cl₂ folgt möglicherweise einem Zweistufenmechanismus. Die Reaktion stellt einen neuen Typ von Photoreaktion dar; möglicherweise folgt sie einem Mechanismus, der in der Photochemie neuartig ist.

     

Solar light-induced photodegradation of chrysene in seawater in the presence of carbon-modified n-TiO2 nanoparticles

Photocatalytic degradation of chrysene in polluted seawater was successfully achieved under illumination of natural sunlight using carbon modified titanium oxide (C-TiO₂) nanoparticles. The morphological and structural characteristics of the as-synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectra, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characterization results confirmed the successful incorporation of carbon into C-TiO₂ nanoparticles. As a result of C-modification, a significant enhancement of the photocatalytic degradation efficiency was observed for C-TiO₂, compared with pure TiO₂. In order to optimize the operating parameters, the impacts of catalyst loading and pH on the photocatalytic degradation of chrysene were investigated. The best degradation rate was obtained at pH 3 and C-TiO₂ loading of 1.0 g L⁻¹. The photodegradation of chrysene in seawater by using C-TiO₂ was found to follow a pseudo first-order kinetics in terms of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model.     

One-pot synthesis of partially fluorinated naphthalene, anthracene, and chrysene derivatives

A series of partially fluorinated naphthalene, anthracene, and chrysene derivatives have been synthesized by a convenient one-pot reaction of multi-fluorinated aromatics and 1,4-dilithio-1,2,3,4-tetraaryl-1,3-butadiene that was generated in situ from the reduction of diphenylacetylene derivatives with lithium naphthalenide.     

Crystal packing and charge transport in single crystals of chrysene derivatives: Impact of halogenation

Crystal packing has strong influence on the charge mobility for organic semiconductors, so the elucidation of the structure-property relationship is important for the design of high-performance organic semiconductors. Halogen substitution has been shown to be a promising strategy to alter the crystal structure without significantly changing the molecular size in previous reports. This paper studies the influence of halogenation on charge transport in single crystals of chrysene derivatives from a theoretical standpoint. The structure-property relationship is first rationalized by investigating the reorganization energy and electronic coupling from the density functional theory calculations. Based on the Marcus charge transfer theory, the mobilities in the molecular monolayer are then calculated with the random walk simulation technique from which the angular resolution anisotropic mobilities are obtained on the fly. It is shown that the mobilities become much larger for holes than those for electrons in the molecular monolayer when the halogenation occurs. Furthermore, the intra-layer charge transport is little influenced by the inter-layer pathways in the single crystals of the halogenated chrysene derivatives, while the opposite case is shown for the crystal of the nonhalogenated chrysene derivative. The reason for the variations of charge transport is discussed theoretically.     

Sensitive simultaneous determination of benzo(a)pyrene, perylene and chrysene by synchronous spectrofluorometry in nonionic micellar media

A synchronous spectrofluorometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of benzo(a)pyrene, perylene and chrysene in a POLE micellar medium, with detection limits of 0.05 ng/ml, 0.28 ng/ml and 0.64 ng/ml, respectively. Good recoveries were obtained for sea water samples spiked with each hydrocarbon.     

Measurement and theoretical characterization of electronic absorption spectrum of neutral chrysene (C18H12)and its positive ion in H3BO3 matrix

The ultraviolet and visible spectrum of chrysene and its radical cation formed by ultraviolet irradiation were measured in boric acid glass at room temperature. The theoretical electronic absorption spectrum of any polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in boric acid matrix is calculated for the first time using semi empirical methods. Earlier reported theoretical results of electronic spectrum are calculated in free state and the results are compared with the spectrum of aromatic systems in glassy or other matrices. The interaction between the trapped PAHs (neutral and ions) and its environment induces strong perturbations of the energy levels which results in large shifts of the electronic transitions as compared to the ideal case of a free, isolated PAH molecule. This shifting due to perturbation has largely been ignored in earlier calculations, while comparing the calculations with the experimentally measured spectrum, in other matrices. The spectrum of singlet and doublet state of chrysene are computed in aqueous medium and also in free state to estimate the spectral shift. Several other geometric (bond length and bond angles) and spectroscopic parameters of chrysene like difference of HOMO-LUMO, ionization potential, dipole moment and polarizability are calculated using semi empirical methods, namely Austin Model 1 (AM1) and Parametric Method 3 (PM3). To get an idea about how the symmetry of chrysene molecule varies upon ionization, the mean polarizability (alpha) as well as its tensor components alpha(xx), alpha(yy) and alpha(zz) are calculated within a field of 0.005 a.u. The lasing action in neutral chrysene and in its cationic form is also discussed for the first time.     

Samarium-induced reductive dimerization of methyl cinnamate: synthesis of 2,8-diamino chrysene

Samarium metal-induced reductive dimerization of methyl cinnamate was performed for the first time. A unique role for aluminum was indicated in the dimerization reaction. The intermediate adipate ester was converted to 2,8-diamino chrysene.     

Synthesis of 1,2-Epoxy-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydrobenzo[g]chrysene: The First Synthesis of a FJORD-Region Tetrahydroepoxide

This study describes the first synthesis of a fjord-region tetrahydroepoxide (11), derived from the carcinogenic hydrocarbon benzo[g]chrysene. This compound is a more potent DNA alkylating agent than the corresponding 3,4-diol 1,2-epoxide.     

A New and Concise Synthesis of 3-Hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene and 12-Hydroxybenzo[g]chrysene, Useful Intermediates for the Synthesis of Fjord-Region Diol Epoxides of Benzo[c]phenanthrene and Benzo[g]chrysene

A new strategy which involves a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction has been developed for the rapid synthesis of 3-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene (5) and 12-hydroxybenzo[g]chrysene (6). These phenolic compounds are the key intermediates for the synthesis of highly carcinogenic fjord-region diol epoxide metabolites 3 and 4 of benzo[c]phenanthrene (1) and benzo[g]chrysene (2). The cross-coupling reaction of 2-bromo-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (9) with naphthalene-1-boronic acid (7) and phenanthrene-9-boronic acid (8) produced 2-(1-naphthyl)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (10) and 2-(9-phenanthryl)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (11), respectively, in quantitative yields. After reaction of these aldehydes with trimethylsulfonium iodide under phase-transfer conditions or with the Wittig reagent obtained from (methoxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide and phenyllithium to generate an oxiranyl or methoxyethene side chain, the acid-catalyzed cyclization with methanesulfonic acid (or boron trifluoride) produced 3-methoxybenzo[c]phenanthrene (16) and 12-methoxybenzo[g]chrysene (17) in 61-64% yields. Finally, demethylation of these methoxy derivatives 16 and 17 with boron tribromide resulted in the formation of the hydroxy analogues 5 and 6, respectively. The availability of this short and high-yielding regiospecific method for the synthesis of phenols 5 and 6 should allow the preparative-scale synthesis of the fjord-region diol epoxides 3 and 4. These diol epoxides are required as starting compounds for the synthesis of site-specifically modified oligonucleotides which are critically needed to elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis at the molecular level.     

A Highly Abbreviated Synthesis of Dibenzo[def,p]chrysene and Its 12-Methoxy Derivative, a Key Precursor for the Synthesis of the Proximate and Ultimate Carcinogens of Dibenzo[def,p]chrysene

Dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) (1), is by far the most mutagenic and toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon identified. Its metabolic activation leads to trans-11,12-dihydroxy-11,12-dihydro-DBC (2), which is further metabolized to the ultimate metabolite, anti-trans-11,12-dihydroxy-13,14-epoxy-11,12,13,14-tetrahydro-DBC (3), that binds to DNA causing mutations and ultimately tumor induction. We report a facile route for the syntheses of DBC (1) and its 12-methoxy derivative (12-methoxy-DBC) (13), a key intermediate for the synthesis of 2 and 3, using a Suzuki cross-coupling approach.     

Aromatic hydrocarbons from geological sources—I : New naturally occurring phenanthrene and chrysene derivatives

The phenanthrene and chrysene derivatives 1 and 2 have been identified in the Messel oil shale by comparison with synthesized reference compounds. These molecules have most probably been formed by progressive geochemical aromatization of triterpene precursors of the hopane series which is widespread in the geological environment.     

Platinum-catalyzed chemoselectively hydrative dimerization of 2-alkynyl-1-acetylbenzenes for one-pot facile synthesis of chrysene derivatives

We report one-pot syntheses of chrysene compounds via PtCl2-catalyzed hydrative dimerization of readily available 2-alkynyl-1-acetylbenzenes. This new tandem catalysis comprises an initial selective hydration of the alkyne, followed by chemoselective dimerization of diketone intermediates. The mechanism of this cyclization has been elucidated by 13C labeling experiments as well as isolation of reaction intermediates.     

Practical synthesis of an open geodesic polyarene with a fullerene-type 6:6-double bond at the center: diindeno[1,2,3,4-defg;1',2',3',4'-mnop]chrysene

Diindeno[1,2,3,4-defg;1',2',3',4'-mnop]chrysene (1), the smallest possible alkene-centered C60 substructure with a curved pi-system, is obtained in 25-35% yield by flash vacuum pyrolysis of the twisted 1,1'-dibromobifluorenylidene (2) on a 100 mg scale at 1050 degrees C. At 1200 degrees C, the bowl-shaped hydrocarbon 1 rearranges to the planar isomer diindeno[5,6,7,1-defg;5',6',7',1'-lmnop]chrysene (14) by a double 5/6 ring-expansion/ring-contraction. X-ray crystallography establishes that the central carbon atoms of 1 are nearly 80% as pyramidalized as the carbon atoms of C60 (POAV angles = 9.0 degrees and 11.6 degrees for 1 and C60, respectively). A four-step synthesis has been developed to prepare the pyrolysis precursor (2) as a mixture of (E)- and (Z)-isomers in 39% overall yield from commercially available 9-fluorenone-1-carboxylic acid (10).     

New synthetic approaches to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their carcinogenic oxidized metabolites: derivatives of benzo[s]picene, benzo[rst]pentaphene, and dibenzo[b,def]chrysene

A new synthetic approach to polycyclic aromatic compounds is described that entails in the key steps double Suzuki coupling of PAH bisboronic acid derivatives with o-bromoaryl aldehydes to furnish aryl dialdehydes that are converted to larger polycyclic aromatic ring systems by either (a) conversion to diolefins by Wittig reaction followed by photocyclization or (b) reductive cyclization with triflic acid and 1,3-propanediol. This synthetic method provides convenient access to as many as three different polycyclic aromatic ring systems from a single Suzuki coupled intermediate. It was utilized to synthesize substituted derivatives of benzo[s]picene, benzo[rst]pentaphene, dibenzo[b,def]chrysene, and 13,14-dihydro-benz[g]indeno[2,1-a]fluorene, as well as the putative carcinogenic bisdihydrodiol metabolites of benzo[s]picene, benzo[rst]pentaphene, and dibenzo[b,def]chrysene.     

Arene imine derivatives of chrysene and of benzo[g]chrysene: 1a,11c-dihydrochryseno[5,6-b]azirine and 1a,13c-dihydrobenzo[11,12]chryseno[5,6-b]azirine

The syntheses of the K-iraines (which are also benzo-bay-region derivatives) of chrysene ( 1 ) and benzo[g]-chrysene ( 2 ) are described. The preparation of 1a,11c-dihydrochryseno[5,6-b]azirine ( 5 ) was accomplished by treatment of 1a,11c-dihydrochryseno[5,6-b]oxirene ( 4 ) with sodium azide, and the mixture of trans-azido-alcohols 6 and 7 , so formed, was either cyclized with triethyl phosphite, or converted into E-6-azido-5-chloro-5,6-dihydrochrysene ( 8 ) followed by lithium aluminium hydride reduction. The synthesis of 1a,13c-dihydrobenzo-[11,12]chryseno[5,6-b]azirine ( 12 ) included the transformation of the corresponding oxide 11 into a mixture of E-9-azido-9,10-dihydrobenzo[g]chrysen-10-ol ( 13 ) and E-10-azido-9,10-dihydrobenzo[g]chrysen-9-ol ( 14 ), and reaction with tri-n-butylphosphine to give a mixture of Staudinger adducts 15 and 16 that underwent thermal decomposition into 12 upon heating in boiling dichloromethane.     

Synthesis of dibenzo[def,p]chrysene, its active metabolites, and their 13C-labeled analogues

Dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) is a highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon suspected to be involved in initiation of lung cancer in smokers. Efficient new syntheses of DBC, its active metabolites [DBC diol (1), DBC dione (2), DBC diol epoxide (3)], and their previously unknown 13C2-labeled analogues are reported. The 13C2-labeled analogues are required as standards for sensitive methods of analysis of their DNA adducts in human cells using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.     

The molecular and electronic structure of dibenzo[g,p]chrysene: A twisted case

Summary Studies of the electronic structure and spectrum of dibenzo [g,p]chrysene, carried out in 1965 and 1985, were not fully conclusive. They are repeated here by means of improved linear dichroism spectroscopy, quantum mechanical calculations of the spectra, and structural studies. Based on the new evidence, especially the observed transition moment directions, it is concluded that the molecule is nonplanar with D₂ symmetry. The experimentally determined transition moment directions also allow a complete assignment of all significant transitions in the region 25 000 to 45 000 cm^–1. All three possible (perpendicular) transition moment directions are represented among the observed electronic transitions.Dedicated to Jan Linderberg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Synthesis of New Sulfur Heteroaromatics Isoelectronic with Dibenzo[g,p]chrysene by Photocyclization of Thienyl- and Phenyl-Substituted Ethenes

A series of new sulfur heteroarenes, isoelectronic with dibenzo[g,p]chrysene, have been prepared by double photocyclization of the corresponding tetraaryl substituted ethenes. The first step proceeds efficiently in each case, and the corresponding intermediate sulfur heteroarenes, isoelectronic with phenanthrene, have been isolated. The second ring closure is only efficient when one of the participating aryl substituents is thienyl, which thus manifests a higher electron density on the carbon atom involved in the excited singlet state reaction. Most of the new compounds are of minimal solubility in common solvents and do not display improved electron donor properties otherwise commonly found among heteroaromatics.