Free radicals in the electrochemical reduction of certain mononitro and dinitro derivatives of pyridine

In the primary process of electrochemical reduction of substituted 3-nitropyridines in dimethylformamide, their anion radicals are formed. This also takes place in the reduction of 3,5-dinitropyridines and 3-nitropyridines with a nitrophenyl substituent at position 2 or 4. For these dinitro derivatives, however, secondary free radicals are formed as well; in a basic medium, these are the products of reduction of the corresponding Meisenheimer complexes. Serving as the reaction center for electroreduction is the nitro group on the pyridine ring, not the group on the phenyl ring. For the mononitropyridines and dinitropyridines that were studied, free radicals of the nitropyridine type are formed as the primary species. The structure of the primary and secondary free radicals was established by analysis of the hyperfine structure of their ESR spectra.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1079–1087, August, 1993.     

On the electrochemical reduction mechanism of indolinone nitroxide radicals in DMF

A study of the electroreduction of 1,2-dihydro-2-phenyl-2-alkyl (or phenyl)-3 H-indol-3-one-1-oxyls (nitroxide radicals) in dimethylformamide is presented. The techniques of ac and dc voltammetry, controlled potential coulometry, ESR and UV spectrometry were used. In DMF-H₂O nitroxide radicals are reduced in two steps: the first is the reversible monoelectronic formation of the corresponding N-hydroxides, while the second (which involves a chemical reaction) is the irreversible production of 2,3-dihydro-2-phenyl-2-alkyl (or phenyl)-3-hydroxy indoles. A multistep scheme is suggested, based upon the electrochemical and spectrometric data.     

Free anion-radicals in the electrochemical reduction of derivatives of 1,4-dihydro-3,5-dinitropyridine

The method of EPR under conditions of the electrochemical production of free radicals of N-unsubstituted derivatives of 1,4-dihydro-3,5-dinitropyridine was utilized to confirm the formation of dianion-radicals, and their structure was established. The methods of polarography and cyclic voltamperometry were utilized to show the possible formation of anion-radicals of the N-substituted derivative of 1,4-dihydro-3,5-dinitropyridine which, however, could not be registered by the method of EPR due probably to the -dimeric diamagnetic state of these species.Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga LV-1006. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 7, pp. 936–943, July, 1996. Original article submitted October 2, 1995.     

Gamma-radiolysis of some crown ethers and their analogues. Electron spin resonance specra of free radicals

The method of low temperature ESR spectroscopy was used to study the free radicals generated by -irradiation of crown ethers: 12-crown-4 /1/; 15-crown-5 /2/; dicyclohexane-24-crown-8 /3/; and their analogues: tetrahydrofurane /4/ and 1,4-dioxane /5/. ESR spectra of radicals 4 and 5 taken at 77 K represent a simple singlet; ESR spectra of radicals generated from 1, 2 and 3 have a complex, multiplet structure. The kinetics of thermal decay of free radicals 4 in dependence on temperature starting from 103 K was investigated. The radicals 4 decay very fast at 253 K.     

ESR spectra of free radicals of 3,3-disubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines produced during electrochemical reduction

The polarographic properties (potentials, number of electrons, reversibility) of the electrochemical reduction of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-3-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-6-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine and its derivatives in dimethylformamide have been determined. In the course of the electrochemical generation, ESR spectra of primary radical anions of p-nitrobenzoyl structure were obtained along with ESR spectra of nitrophenyl-p-substituted free radicals formed as a result of further reduction.Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga LV-1006. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1103–1110, August, 1998.     

Theoretical study on 5-nitrofuryl thiosemicarbazone radicals electronic properties

Theoretical studies of molecular conformations and electronic properties calculations of eight 5-nitrofuryl thiosemicarbazone free radicals, by means of ab initio (R/UHF), and DFT (R/UB3LYP) methods are presented and discussed in comparison with ESR and electrochemical experimental data. DFT calculated hyperfine coupling constants were used for the simulation of experimental spectra. We observed the molecules adopt mainly two conformations, both showing a pattern of spin density delocalization unusual for free radicals formed from aromatic nitrocompounds. Energy potential surfaces scaning through a determined dihedral angle were drawn to evaluate whether these conformations could coexist in equilibrium. Fukui and molecular orbital analysis were compared with ESR data as reactivity local indexes.     

An ESR study of radical reactions of C60 and C70

The results of ESR spectroscopic studies of radical reactions of fullerenes are presented. Reactivities of radicals of various chemical natures with respect to C₆₀ and C₇₀, delocalization of the unpaired electron in monofullerenyl radicals, and their reactivity are considered. The examples of dynamic effects in the ESR spectra of fullerenyl radicals, associated with the hindered rotation of the attached radicals, are presented. Characteristic features of the structures of the spin adducts resulting from polyaddition of free radicals to fullerenes and of fullerenyl radicals containing ²-bonded metaIloco mplexes are discussed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2396–2406, October, 1996.     

连茚四酮类有机磁性化合物的合成及性能

分别以邻苯二甲酸酐、4-甲基邻苯二甲酸酐和四氯邻苯二甲酸酐为原料, 采用Gabriel & Leupold法合成了3个连茚四酮类化合物, 即2,2′-二茚满-1,1′,3,3′-四酮(1)、5,5′-二甲基-2,2′-二茚满-1,1′,3,3′-四酮(2)和4,4′,5,5′,6,6′,7,7′-八氯-2,2′-二茚满-1,1′,3,3′-四酮(3). 元素分析、¹H NMR、FTIR 和MS测定分析表明, 此3个分子主要以烯醇式存在, 同时存在分子内氢键; 通过电子自旋共振(ESR)谱测定, 给出了各化合物的ESR谱参数值. 结果表明, 化合物1~3均有良好的ESR图谱, 是只含有C, H, O及Cl的纯有机磁性化合物, 分子内都含有稳定的自由基. 通过量子化学计算, 推测出了自由基可能形成的位置及此类化合物最可能的存在形式(烯醇式), 且证明分子内存在1个氢键.     

L-tryptophan radical cation electron spin resonance studies: connecting solution-derived hyperfine coupling constants with protein spectral interpretations

Fast-flow electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy has been used to detect a free radical formed from the reaction of l-tryptophan with Ce (4+) in an acidic aqueous environment. Computer simulations of the ESR spectra from l-tryptophan and several isotopically modified forms strongly support the conclusion that the l-tryptophan radical cation has been detected by ESR for the first time. The hyperfine coupling constants (HFCs) determined from the well-resolved isotropic ESR spectra support experimental and computational efforts to understand l-tryptophan's role in protein catalysis of oxidation-reduction processes. l-Tryptophan HFCs facilitated the simulation of fast-flow ESR spectra of free radicals from two related compounds, tryptamine and 3-methylindole. Analysis of these three compounds' beta-methylene hydrogen HFC data along with equivalent l-tyrosine data has led to a new computational method that can distinguish between these two amino acid free radicals in proteins without dependence on isotope labeling, electron-nuclear double resonance, or high-field ESR. This approach also produces geometric parameters (dihedral angles for the beta-methylene hydrogens) that should facilitate protein site assignment of observed l-tryptophan radicals as has been done for l-tyrosine radicals.     

Electrochemical reduction of 1-sulfonylbenz[c,d]indolin-2-ones,and the structure of the free radicals that are formed

In the electrochemical reduction of N-sulfonylbenz[c,d]indolin-2-ones, anion radicals that are detectable by ESR may be formed, with structures that correspond to either the original molecule or isomers of that molecule. Substituents that localize the unpaired electron density on the naphthalene ring system increase the probability of forming ESR-detectable free radicals. In the primary anion radicals, the unpaired electron is localized mainly (>70%) on the naphthalene nucleus. Replacement of the keto group in the molecules of naphthostyrils by a thiocarbonyl group increases the unpaired electron density on the naphthalene ring system of the primary anion radicals. For all of the compounds, parameters of electrochemical reduction in dimethylformamide have been established, under conditions of polarography and cyclic voltammetry.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1068–1078, August, 1993.     

Electrochemical reduction of 4-(nitrophenyl)-1,2- and 4-(nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridines and the ESR spectra of the obtained free-radical particles

In the course of electrochemical generation the intermediate reaction products (free radicals of the nitro-and nitrosophenyl type, which appear on the cyclic voltammetric curves) were identified by ESR. The N-substituted derivatives are characterized by reduction of the dihydropyridine ring. The 4-nitrophenyl derivatives are characterized by the absence of intramolecular electron transfer during electrochemical reduction. In the case of the corresponding derivatives of 1,2-dihydropyridine intramolecular transfer of electrons and protons is possible under these conditions. Combined schemes of the primary and secondary chemical reactions involved in the electrochemical reduction of the investigated compounds are presented. It was established that the substances investigated with reference to the mechanism of the electrochemical transformations include the antihypertensive nifedipine (corinfar, fenigidine).Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga LV-1006. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 219–233, February, 1997.     

Comparison of photo- and radiation-induced radical formation in polyethylene by ESR spectroscopy

The behaviors of free radicals produced in polyethylene irradiated with ultraviolet light and electron beams were compared in connection with primary processes of radical formation and trapping regions of free radicals. In the case of irradiation with ultraviolet light, an ESR spectrum observed at ?196°C immediately after irradiation is an eight-line spectrum due to alkyl radicals of the type ? CH₂? ?H? CH₃, while in the case of ionizing radiation, a six-line spectrum due to ? CH₂? ?H? CH₂? was observed. The former radicals are produced by the Norrish type I reaction of the carbonyl groups contained in the polymer, followed by radical rearrangement; and the latter are formed by dissociation of hydrogen atom from the excited state of the polymer or ion-molecular reactions. From the sensitivity to oxygen molecules, it was deduced that free radicals are trapped in amorphous regions after ultraviolet irradiation, but mainly in crystalline regions after irradiation with electron beams. Saturation studies of ESR spectra seem to support this conclusion.     

On the reactivity of cellulose free radicals in graft copolymerization reactions

The formation and behavior of photo-and mechanoinduced free radicals in cellulose were studied by ESR spectroscopy and the capability of these free radicals to initiate graft copolymerization reactions was demonstrated. Although an 11-line ESR signal was detected from cellulose irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light, a higher-intensity ESR signal with a five-line pattern was detected from a sample mechanically milled at 77 K. The decay of photoinduced free radicals when heated took place monotonously, whereas mechanoradicals exhibited an anomalous behavior with an increased signal intensity at 150 K before decaying at a higher temperature. Mechanoradicals have been found to react more efficiently and rapidly with oxygen and methyl methacrylate (MMA) than photoinduced free radicals. The peroxy mechanoradicals, however, were mobile and decayed more rapidly than the peroxy photoinduced radicals. Simultaneous graft copolymerizations of MMA to cellulose demonstrated that mechano-and photoinduced free radicals are capable of initiating grafting reactions, but a higher degree of grafting efficiency was obtained from cellulose treated mechanically.     

Electron spin resonance studies of polycarbonate irradiated by γ-rays and ultraviolet light

Paramagnetic species produced in polycarbonate (PC) by γ- or ultraviolet irradiation were investigated by ESR. In γ-irradiation, scissions of carbonate groups in the main chain occur. ESR spectra (g = 2.003₄) composed of a sharp singlet, some broad singlets, and a small signal with hyperfine structure are obtained, and they are assigned to trapped electrons, positive radical ions, phenoxy-type free radicals, phenyl radicals, and ? O? C₆H₄? C(CH₃)₂ radicals. The G value for total yields of paramagnetic species at 77°K is 1.8. The percentage of CO and CO₂, the dominant gases evolved, is 65.4 and 33.8%, respectively. In ultraviolet irradiation, energy is absorbed selectively at the surface region. The surface region becomes insoluble in methylene chloride because of crosslinking of phenyl groups. The ESR spectrum obtained at 77°K is a broad singlet and assigned to phenoxy-type free radicals, phenyl radicals, and polyenyl-type free radicals. Some differences in effects of γ- and ultraviolet irradiation of PC are discussed.     

利用电子自旋共振(ESR)技术研究啤酒原辅料自由基及其对麦汁自由基的影响

利用电子自旋共振(ESR)技术研究了啤酒生产原辅料固有自由基含量,发现麦芽自由基量最多,大麦其次,大米中未测到;且自由基存在于皮壳中.全麦麦汁和30%大米辅料麦液都含有羟基自由基和FR1.随糖化进行,羟基自由基上升,FR1下降;但全麦麦汁羟基出现较早,且糖化终了含量较高.     

ESR application to radiation chemistry of polymers

Important results obtained in our group in the field of ESR application to the study of irradiated polymers are summarized. They are the analysis of the decay reaction of the free radicals, spur-like trapping of the free radicals and the related discussions. A diffusion controlled bimolecular reaction scheme was a good way of analyzing the data of the decay reaction. Power saturation phenomenon of ESR spectra of the free radicals showed a circumstance of the spur-like trapping of the free radicals in irradiated polyethylene. The phenomenon of spur-like trapping was quite consistent with the interpretation of the decay reaction of the free radicals.     

Free radicals of electrochemical reduction of derivatives of 3-nitro-1,4-dihydropyridines

By means of ESR, under conditions of eletrochemical generation of particles, the formation of four types of secondary free radicals has been confirmed in the process of electrochemical reduction of molecules of N-unsubstituted derivatives of 3-nitro-1,4-dihydropyridine in dimthylformamide — specifically, a dianion radical of the molecule of the original compound; an anion radical of the corresponding isomeric 4,5-dihydropyridine; a radical of the nitroalkane type; and in addition, for the compound substituted with a nitrobenzene group; a free radical with the nitrobenzene structure. Methods for synthesis of the individual compounds are described, and a scheme is presented for the mechanism of their electrochemical conversion.Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga LV-1006. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 355–364, March, 1995. Original article submitted February 21, 1995.     

Why not use point charge models for the determination of bond angles?

Bond angles of several free radicals have been estimated using the point charge model together with ESR data and compared with those derived by Coulson's equation and the INDO method. The model is found to work well in predicting bond angles for most radicals just like the INDO method. Some relationships between the model and the INDO method are discussed.     

Electron spin resonance study of γ-irradiated poly(methacrylic acid)

Low temperature relaxations in poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) have been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The observed 8 line ESR spectra of irradiated PMAA in the temperature range 77-300K (LNT-RT) is attributed to the free radicals of the type ～ CH₂? CH? CH₃. Assignment of ESR spectra to free radicals has been made on the basis of magnetic parameters employed to simulate ESR spectra at different temperatures. Further, ESR spectra below LNT have been simulated, using the set of parameters employed to simulate the experimental spectrum at LNT. Magnetic parameters of the ESR spectra at LNT and below LNT indicate γ- and δ-relaxations of PMMA chains. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Dose determination by ESR in an accident,using cotton fabric

Accidental exposure dose assessment by electron spin resonance (ESR) technique from the free radicals generated in a cotton handkerchief has been attempted in this investigation. The cotton handkerchief, a common material carried by individuals, was taken as the medium for free radical estimation. About 55 mg of the irradiated piece of cloth was loaded into a quartz tube and the dose dependence of the ESR signal at g=2.0026 was measured at room temperature, using a Bruker ESP-300 ESR spectrometer in X-band (9.74 GHz). The intensity of this signal was found to be proportional to the dose in the range of 1–1000 Gy. The stability of the free radicals with time of storage was followed. Dependence of dose rate as well as the presence of water on the yield of free radicals were also investigated.