Pulse EPR Methods for Studying Chemical and Biological Samples Containing Transition Metals

This review discusses the application of pulse EPR to the characterization of disordered systems, with an emphasis on samples containing transition metals. Electron nuclear double‐resonance (ENDOR), electron‐spin‐echo envelope‐modulation (ESEEM), and double electron–electron resonance (DEER) methodologies are outlined. The theory of field modulation is outlined, and its application is illustrated with DEER experiments. The simulation of powder spectra in EPR is discussed, and strategies for optimization are given. The implementation of this armory of techniques is demonstrated on a rich variety of chemical systems: several porphyrin derivatives that are found in proteins and used as model systems, otherwise highly reactive aminyl radicals stabilized with electron‐rich transition metals, and nitroxide–copper–nitroxide clusters. These examples show that multi‐frequency continuous‐wave (CW) and pulse EPR provides detailed information about disordered systems.     

Three‐electron two‐center bonding in cycloimmonium ylides

We explore the possibility that a 3‐electron‐2‐center bonding exists in cycloimmonium ylides. To detect this bonding in a polyatomic system, 3‐electron‐1‐hole density operators, characterizing a Pauling 3‐electron bond, are used in the framework of second quantization formalism. The weights of 3‐electron resonance structures are calculated and compared with the weights of 2‐electron structures for the ylide bond of pyridinium dicyanomethylide; the correlations of (↑↓) and (↑) electronic events, involved in the 3‐electron resonance structures, are also investigated. The calculations are performed in various approximation levels, and both orthogonal and nonorthogonal natural atomic orbitals are adopted. All calculations show that a 3‐electron bond exists between N and C atoms of ylide bond, but this bonding is not extended in C atoms of the pyridinium group. The interactions of α,β electrons (at the configuration interaction [CI] level) increase the localization of electrons, the weights of 3‐electron resonance structures, and thus the probability for 3‐electron bonding. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Electronic Stabilization Effect of a Spin‐Delocalized Neutral Radical: Synthesis of an 8‐Cyano‐6‐oxophenalenoxyl Derivative and Quantitative Evaluation of the Electronic Spin Structure in terms of Resonance Structures

A new 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐oxophenalenoxyl (6OPO) derivative with a cyano group at the 8‐position, where a large spin density resides, has been synthesized. This neutral radical exhibits high stability in the solid state in air despite the low steric protection on the 8‐position; the stability is comparable to that of a corresponding 8‐tert‐butylated 6OPO derivative. EPR/¹H‐ENDOR/TRIPLE (electron paramagnetic resonance/¹H‐electron‐nuclear double resonance/TRIPLE) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry showed an extended spin delocalization on the cyano group and a significant increase in electron‐accepting ability relative to that of the 8‐tert‐butylated 6OPO derivative. DFT calculations indicated the extension of a singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) onto the cyano group and the lower‐lying SOMO and LUMO in comparison with those of the 8‐tert‐butylated 6OPO derivative, which was consistent with experimental results. Furthermore, the extended nature of π conjugation onto the cyano group was quantitatively evaluated by calculating the contributing weights of resonance structures in terms of a molecular orbital (MO)‐based valence‐bond (VB) method. Herein, the synthesis and physical properties of the 8‐cyano‐6OPO derivative are described, emphasizing that the high stability arises from the electronic effect of the cyano group. Also, the usefulness of the quantitative resonance structure analysis is shown.     

Novel Pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Techniques for the Studies of Structure and Dynamics of Photo‐excited Triplet State of Organic Molecules: A Professional Journey

We present a few novel pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance techniques developed in our laboratory for the studies of structure and dynamics of the photo‐excited triplet state of organic molecules. We discuss many aspects of these new techniques and the significances of these measurements: (1) enhancing NMR signal intensity by dynamic nuclear polarization ‐ integrated solid effect, (2) performing magnetic resonance in zero‐field and low‐field by pulsed microwave, (3) mapping molecular motion of organic crystals by pulsed zero‐field and low‐field experiments, (4) probing spin dynamics at level anti‐crossing by fast field switching, (5) measuring hyperfine interaction by electron spin echo envelop modulation and spin‐echo electron nuclear double resonance and (6) detecting spin dynamics, nuclear quantum oscillation, entanglements and new avenues for quantum computer. We have employed the highly electron spin polarized pentacene triplet state as the model system in all of our pulsed EPR experiments. We performed most of our experiments at room temperature. The goals of our studies are aiming to improve spin detectability, to probe molecular dynamics, to determine electronic structures, to measure molecular interaction and motion, and to examine quantum coherence and oscillation which may yield new avenues in the applications of pulsed EPR techniques to quantum computer.     

ESR line width and line shape dependence of Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Electron spin resonance and Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging studies were carried out for various concentrations of ¹⁴N‐labeled 3‐carbamoyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl in pure water. Overhauser‐enhancement factor attains maxima in the range of 2.5–3 mm concentration. The leakage factor showed an asymptotic increase with increasing agent concentration. The coupling parameter showed the interaction between the electron and nuclear spins to be mainly dipolar in origin. The electron spin resonance parameters, such as the line width, line shape and g‐factor, were determined. The line width analysis confirms that the line broadening is proportional to the agent concentration, and also the agent concentration is optimized in the range of 2.5–3 mm . The line shape analysis shows that the observed electron spin resonance line shape is a Voigt line shape, in which the Lorentzian component is dominant. The contribution of Lorentzian component was estimated using the winsim package. The Lorentzian component of the resonance line attains maxima in the range of 2.5–3 mm concentration. Therefore, this study reveals that the agent concentration, line width and Lorentzian component are the important factors in determining the Overhauser‐enhancement factor. Hence, the agent concentration was optimized as 2.5–3 mm for in vivo/in vitro electron spin resonance imaging and Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging phantom studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Isolable Diphosphene Radical Cation Stabilized by Three‐Center Three‐Electron π‐Bonding with Chromium: End‐On versus Side‐On Coordination

Two salts ( 2 and 4 ) containing the radical cations of complexed diphosphenes have been isolated and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The P?P bond is coordinated to the Cr center either in an end‐on (in 2 ) or a side‐on (in 4 ) fashion. The spin density of the radical is delocalized over the Cr atom and the two P atoms in 2 whereas the unpaired electron is mainly localized on the Cr atom in 4 . This work provides the first example of a complexed diphosphene radical ( 2 ) featuring novel three‐center three‐electron (3c‐3e) π‐bonding in the Cr‐P‐P unit, and the first example of a 17 e Cr radical with a side‐on π‐bonded ligand ( 4 ).     

Selective High‐Resolution Detection of Membrane Protein–Ligand Interaction in Native Membranes Using Trityl–Nitroxide PELDOR

The orchestrated interaction of transmembrane proteins with other molecules mediates several crucial biological processes. Detergent solubilization may significantly alter or even abolish such hetero‐oligomeric interactions, which makes observing them at high resolution in their native environment technically challenging. Dipolar electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques such as pulsed electro–electron double resonance (PELDOR) can provide very precise distances within biomolecules. To concurrently determine the inter‐subunit interaction and the intra‐subunit conformational changes in hetero‐oligomeric complexes, a combination of different spin labels is required. Orthogonal spin labeling using a triarylmethyl (TAM) label in combination with a nitroxide label is used to detect protein–ligand interactions in native lipid bilayers. This approach provides a higher sensitivity and total selectivity and will greatly facilitate the investigation of multimeric transmembrane complexes employing different spin labels in the native lipid environment.     

Charge and Spin Transport in an Organic Molecular Square

Understanding electronic communication among multiple chromophoric and redox units requires construction of well‐defined molecular architectures. Herein, we report the modular synthesis of a shape‐persistent chiral organic square composed of four naphthalene‐1,8:4,5‐bis(dicarboximide) (NDI) sides and four trans‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine corners. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals some distortion of the cyclohexane chair conformation in the solid state. Analysis of the packing of the molecular squares reveals the formation of highly ordered, one‐dimensional tubular superstructures, held together by means of multiple [C H⋅⋅⋅OC] hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Steady‐state and time‐resolved electronic spectroscopies show strong excited‐state interactions in both the singlet and triplet manifolds. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron‐nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopies on the monoreduced state reveal electron sharing between all four NDI subunits comprising the molecular square.     

Cross‐Polarization Electron‐Nuclear Double Resonance Spectroscopy

Magnetic nuclei in the proximity of a paramagnetic center can be polarized through electron‐nuclear cross‐polarization and detected in electron‐nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. This principle is demonstrated in a single‐crystal model sample as well as on a protein, the β2 subunit of E.coli ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which contains an essential tyrosyl radical. ENDOR is a fundamental technique to detect magnetic nuclei coupled to paramagnetic centers. It is widely employed in biological and materials sciences. Despite its utility, its sensitivity in real samples is about one to two orders of magnitude lower than conventional electron paramagnetic resonance, thus restricting its application potential. Herein, we report the performance of a recently introduced concept to polarize nuclear spins and detect their ENDOR spectrum, which is based on electron‐nuclear cross polarization (eNCP). A single‐crystal study permits us to disentangle eNCP conditions and CP‐ENDOR intensities, providing the experimental foundation in agreement with the theoretical prediction. The CP‐ENDOR performance on a real protein sample is best demonstrated with the spectra of the essential tyrosyl radical in the β2 subunit of E.coli RNR.     

Electron spin resonance studies on deuterated nitroxyl spin probes used in Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

The electron spin resonance studies were carried out for 2 mm concentration of ¹⁴N‐labeled and ¹⁵N‐labeled 3‐carbamoyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl, 3‐carboxy‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl, 3‐methoxycarbonyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl and their deuterated nitroxyl radicals using X‐band electron spin resonance spectrometer. The electron spin resonance line shape analysis was carried out. The electron spin resonance parameters such as linewidth, Lorentzian component, signal intensity ratio, rotational correlation time, hyperfine coupling constant and g‐factor were estimated. The deuterated nitroxyl radicals have narrow linewidth and an increase in Lorentzian component, compared with undeuterated nitroxyl radicals. The dynamic nuclear polarization factor was observed for all nitroxyl radicals. Upon ²H labeling, about 70% and 40% increase in dynamic nuclear polarization factor were observed for ¹⁴N‐labeled and ¹⁵N‐labeled nitroxyl radicals, respectively. The signal intensity ratio and g‐value indicate the isotropic nature of the nitroxyl radicals in pure water. Therefore, the deuterated nitroxyl radicals are suitable spin probes for in vivo/in vitro electron spin resonance and Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging modalities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An ENDOR study of oxomolybdenum(V) tris(pyrazolyl)borate complexes; identification of couplings to boron and other heteroatoms

¹¹B hyperfine and quadrupolar couplings have been observed by the electron magnetic resonance techniques electron nuclear double resonance and hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy for some tris(pyrazolyl)borato‐oxomolybdenum(V) and related nitrosyl complexes including a dinuclear B–B linked complex. The spectra are interpreted according to the electron delocalization onto the ligands, especially the pyrazolylborate. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spin‐Labeled Heparins as Polarizing Agents for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

A potentially biocompatible class of spin‐labeled macromolecules, spin‐labeled (SL) heparins, and their use as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal enhancers are introduced. The signal enhancement is achieved through Overhauser‐type dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). All presented SL‐heparins show high ¹H DNP enhancement factors up to E=?110, which validates that effectively more than one hyperfine line can be saturated even for spin‐labeled polarizing agents. The parameters for the Overhauser‐type DNP are determined and discussed. A striking result is that for spin‐labeled heparins, the off‐resonant electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) hyperfine lines contribute a non‐negligible part to the total saturation, even in the absence of Heisenberg spin exchange (HSE) and electron spin‐nuclear spin relaxation (T_1ne). As a result, we conclude that one can optimize the use of, for example, biomacromolecules for DNP, for which only small sample amounts are available, by using heterogeneously distributed radicals attached to the molecule.     

Inverted Opal Fluorescent Film Chemosensor for the Detection of Explosive Nitroaromatic Vapors through Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

This paper reports an inverted opal fluorescence chemosensor for the ultrasensitive detection of explosive nitroaromatic vapors through resonance‐energy‐transfer‐amplified fluorescence quenching. The inverted opal silica film with amino ligands was first fabricated by the acid–base interaction between 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and surface sulfonic groups on polystyrene microsphere templates. The fluorescent dye was then chemically anchored onto the interconnected porous surface to form a hybrid monolayer of amino ligands and dye molecules. The amino ligands can efficiently capture vapor molecules of nitroaromatics such as 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) through the charge‐transfer complexing interaction between electron‐rich amino ligands and electron‐deficient aromatic rings. Meanwhile, the resultant TNT–amine complexes can strongly suppress the fluorescence emission of the chosen dye by the fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the dye donor to the irradiative TNT–amino acceptor through intermolecular polar–polar resonance at spatial proximity. The quenching response of the highly ordered porous films with TNT is greatly amplified by at least 10‐fold that of the amorphous silica films, due to the interconnected porous structure and large surface‐to‐volume ratio. The inverted opal film with a stable fluorescence brightness and strong analyte affinity has lead to an ultrasensitive detection of several ppb of TNT vapor in air.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the n‐Doped Successive Polyanions of Oligocruciform Molecular Wires: Up to Five Units of Charge

The electronic structure of polyanions of sterically encumbered triisopropylsilyl‐substituted linear and cyclic oligo(phenyleneethynylene)s ( M onomer, T rimer, P entamer, and Tr iangle) is investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), and UV/Vis–near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, and theoretical calculations (DFT). Increasing anion orders are generated sequentially in vacuo at room temperature by chemical reaction with potassium metal up to the pentaanion. The relevance of these compounds acting as electron reservoirs is thus demonstrated. Even‐order anions are EPR silent, whereas the odd species exhibit different signatures, which are identified after comparison of the measured hyperfine couplings by ENDOR spectroscopy with those predicted by DFT calculations. With increasing size of the oligomers the electron spin density is first distributed over the backbone carbon atoms for the monoanions, and then further localized at the outer phenyl rings for the trianion species. Examination of the UV/Vis‐NIR spectra indicates that the monoanions ( T^.? , P^.? ) exhibit two transitions in the Vis‐NIR region, whereas a strong absorption in the IR region is solely observed for higher reduced states. Electronic transitions of the neutral monoanions and trianions are redshifted with increasing oligomer size, whereas for a given oligomer a blueshift is observed upon increasing the charge, which suggests a localization of the spin density.     

具有丰富介孔Cu-SAPO-34催化剂制备及其低温氨气选择性催化还原反应(英文)

氮氧化物(NO_x)是主要的大气污染物之一,与光化学烟雾、全球气候变暖等环境问题密切相关.随着汽车产业的高速发展,柴油车排放尾气中的NOx脱除成为国内外尾气催化净化领域最突出的难点之一.其中氨气选择性催化还原技术(NH_3-SCR)由于其高效率、低成本的特征已成为主要的移动源脱硝技术.目前,实际应用中最广泛的是V_2O_5-WO_3(MoO_3)/TiO_2催化剂,然而一些不可避免的因素仍然存在,比如V具有较强的毒性,较高的操作温度,较窄的活性温度窗口以及易将SO_2氧化为SO_3导致催化剂表面会有大量的硫酸盐沉积而失活等.因此很有必要开发一种无钒SCR催化剂.近年来,分子筛负载过渡金属作为催化剂引起了研究者的广泛兴趣,其中Cu-CHA分子筛催化剂因其高SCR活性,高N2选择性,较宽的温度窗口以及优异的稳定性引起研究者的广泛关注.就Cu/SAPO-34而言,传统的制备方法是利用离子交换法将Cu离子引入到SAPO-34微孔孔道中,然而由于微孔会限制Cu离子的分布,导致绝大多数Cu优先分布在分子筛外表面,从而限制了其活性发挥.Martínez-Franco课题组利用双模板一步法成功制备了Cu-SAPO-34催化剂,提高了分子筛中活性Cu离子数目.Peden课题组发现在NOx的NH_3-SCR反应中Cu-SAPO-34催化剂存在低温动力学限制.因此开发一种具有丰富介孔的多级孔Cu-SAPO-34催化剂势在必行.我们利用一步水热晶化法成功制备了一系列具有丰富介孔的Cu-SAPO-34催化剂.采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、氮气吸附-脱附、X射线衍射(XRD)、~(27)Al核磁共振(Al-NMR)、紫外可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)、电感耦合等离子体-原子发射光谱(ICP-AES)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、氢气程序升温还原(H2-TPR)和电子顺磁共振(EPR)等表征手段研究了Cu-SAPO-34多级孔催化剂的物理化学性质.XRD测试结果证实,H-Cu-SAPO-34催化剂具有典型的CHA结构.TEM和N2吸附-脱附测试结果表明,H-Cu-SAPO-34催化剂具有丰富的介孔结构.Al-NMR测试结果表明,多种配位的Al物种存在于H-Cu-SAPO-34中.UV-Vis DRS测试结果证实了孤立Cu~(2+)和高分散的CuO的存在,没有观察到(Cu-O-Cu)2+和CuAl2O4物种的存在.ICP-AES和XPS测试结果表明,H-Cu-SAPO-34催化剂具有相似的Cu含量,并且H-Cu-SAPO-34-20催化剂具有最高的Cu~(2+)含量.H2-TPR测试结果表明,H-Cu-SAPO-34-20催化剂具有最低的孤立Cu~(2+)还原温度以及最高的孤立Cu~(2+)含量.这可能有利于其NH3-SCR活性提高.同时H2-TPR还表明,H-Cu-SAPO-34催化剂中存在含量不等的孤立Cu+,并且孤立Cu~(2+)是NH3-SCR反应的主要活性中心.EPR测试结果进一步表明,位于SAPO-34椭球腔内(Site(I))的孤立Cu~(2+)是该反应的主要活性位.由NO的NH3-SCR反应测试结果来看,相比于普通的Cu/SAPO-34催化剂,具有丰富介孔结构的H-Cu-SAPO-34催化剂呈现出更高的低温催化活性,同时H-Cu-SAPO-34-20催化剂具有最高的低温NH3-SCR催化活性,这与其较高的活性Cu~(2+)含量以及较低的孤立Cu~(2+)还原温度密切相关.动力学测试结果表明,所合成的H-Cu-SAPO-34多级孔催化剂具有相似的活化能(Ea=98 kJ/mol),并且该值远大于普通CHA基SCR催化剂,这意味着介孔的存在确实大大降低了反应物分子在H-Cu-SAPO-34孔道内的扩散阻力,提高了反应物分子与活性位的接触概率,从而提高了其低温NH3-SCR催化性能.     

Photophysics of an Intramolecular Hydrogen‐Evolving Ru–Pd Photocatalyst

Photoinduced electron‐transfer processes within a precatalyst for intramolecular hydrogen evolution [(tbbpy)₂Ru(tpphz)PdCl₂]²⁺ ( RuPd ; tbbpy=4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, tpphz=tetrapyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′c:3′′,2′′,‐h:2′′′,3′′′‐j]phenazine) have been studied by resonance Raman and ultrafast time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy. By comparing the photophysics of the [(tbbpy)₂Ru(tpphz)]²⁺ subunit Ru with that of the supramolecular catalyst RuPd , the individual electron‐transfer steps are assigned to kinetic components, and their dependence on solvent is discussed. The resonance Raman data reveal that the initial excitation of the molecular ensemble is spread over the terminal tbbpy and the tpphz ligands. The subsequent excited‐state relaxation of both Ru and RuPd on the picosecond timescale involves formation of the phenazine‐centered intraligand charge‐transfer state, which in RuPd precedes formation of the Pd‐reduced state. The photoreaction in the heterodinuclear supramolecular complex is completed on a subnanosecond timescale. Taken together, the data indicate that mechanistic investigations must focus on potential rate‐determining steps other than electron transfer between the photoactive center and the Pd unit. Furthermore, structural variations should be directed towards increasing the directionality of electron transfer and the stability of the charge‐separated states.     

Synthesis,Physical Properties,and Cytotoxicity of Nitroxyl–Aziridine Hybrid

Nitroxyl–aziridine hybrid, a candidate for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe and an anticancer drug, was synthesized by aziridine formation reaction of nitroxyl‐introduced aldehyde and guanidinium ylide in good diastereoselectivity. The relative configuration at aziridine C(2) C(3) bond of the major diastereoisomer was determined to be cis by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Application of chiral guanidinium ylide resulted in the formation of the corresponding optically active aziridine in 84% ee. Reversible one‐electron redox potential and quantitative spin yield of the hybrid were observed in cyclic voltammogram and electron spin resonance, respectively. However, cytotoxicity of the hybrid against cancer cell lines used was not observed.     

A novel polyphosphazene with nitroxide radical side groups as cathode‐active material in Li‐ion batteries

A novel polyphosphazene carrying stable nitroxide aromatic radical groups as a pendant with four electrons involvement per repeating unit is synthesized. To do so, series of macromolecular substitution reactions of poly (dichlorophosphazene) with 3,5‐dibromophenol, 2‐methyl‐2‐nitrosopropane, and lead oxide, respectively, are performed. After characterization of the newly synthesized polymers by standard spectroscopic techniques (such as Fourier transform infrared [FT‐IR], nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR], or electron paramagnetic resonance [EPR]), the targeted polymer is further investigated as a cathode‐active material for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The cell delivered a good rate performance with a discharge capacity of 100 mAh/g at a C/2 current density over 500 cycles.