Use of Raman spectroscopy for the identification of radical-mediated damages in human serum albumin

Damages induced by free radicals on human serum albumin (HSA), the most prominent protein in plasma, were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. HSA underwent oxidative and reductive radical stress. Gamma-irradiation was used to simulate the endogenous formation of reactive radical species such as hydrogen atoms (^•H), solvated electrons (e_aq⁻) and hydroxyl radicals (^•OH). Raman spectroscopy was shown to be a useful tool in identifying conformational changes of the protein structure and specific damages occurring at sensitive amino acid sites. In particular, the analysis of the S–S stretching region suggested the radical species caused modifications in the 17 disulphide bridges of HSA. The concomitant action of e_aq⁻ and ^•H atoms caused the formation of cyclic disulphide bridges, showing how cystine pairs act as efficient interceptors of reducing species, by direct scavenging and electron transfer reactions within the protein. This conclusion was further confirmed by the modifications visible in the Raman bands due to Phe and Tyr residues. As regards to protein folding, both oxidative and reductive radical stresses were able to cause a loss in α-helix content, although the latter remains the most abundant secondary structure component. β-turns motifs significantly increased as a consequence of the synergic action of e_aq⁻ and ^•H atoms, whereas a larger increase in the β-sheet content was found following the exposure to ^•OH and/or ^•H attack.     

Measurements of the apparent rate constant for the reaction of iodine monoxide with chlorine monoxide to form iodine atoms

An apparatus for measuring the resonance fluorescence signals of iodine and chlorine atoms is constructed to study iodine monoxide reaction with chlorine monoxide. A technique using the reaction of chlorine atoms with C₂H₆ is developed to calibrate the sensitivity of the apparatus to chlorine atoms. The apparent rate constants for the reaction between 10^• and CIO^• radicals producing iodine atoms was measured at 295 K k_app = (2.62 ± 0.57) x 10-^-11 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1.     

Hyperfine coupling constants of Mg-centered radicals and radical ions

The energies, geometric parameters, spin densities, and HFC constants of the Mg-centered radicals ^•MgH, ^•MgOH, ^•MgMe, and monovalent magnesium aqua complexes Mg(H₂O)_n ⁺ (n = 0–3) were calculated using the density functional theory. As n increases, the HFC constants decrease for Mg atoms and increase for O atoms. The theoretical HFC constants in the Mg-centered radicals are in good agreement with experimental data. Published In Russian In Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, Pp. 861–865, May, 2007.     

Synthesis and properties of paramagnetic derivatives of linear and fused polyaromatic compounds

Paramagnetic derivatives of tolan, anthracene, and terphenyl of the A−Sp−R^• type, where A is an aromatic group, R^• is a stable radical center, and Sp is a spacer, were synthesized. The electronic absorption and luminescence spectra of these compounds were examined. The introduction of the paramagnetic dihydroimidazole fragment causes a decrease (10–500-fold) in the quantum yield of luminescence compared to emission of the individual aromatic luminophore. The presence of a radical center (R^•) in the (alkane)^•+/−•A−Sp−R^• radical-ionic pair leads to the disappearance or fast (nanoseconds) damping of the magnetic effect of luminescence arising upon recombination of these pairs.     

The role of triplet repulsion in alkyl radical addition to a 7π-C-O bond and alkoxy radical addition to a π-C-C bond

The experimental activation energies of the R^• + O = CR¹R² and RO^• + CH₂ = CHR¹ addition reactions are analyzed within the framework of the parabolic model of the bimolecular addition reaction. The activation energy also depends on the dissociation energy of the forming C-O bond and on the reaction enthalpy: the higher the dissociation energy, the higher the activation energy. The empirical relationshipr _e J..D _e = 0.97 x 10-¹³ m kJ.-¹ mol is found for H^•, Cl^•, Br^{• •} and RO^• radical addition to multiple C=C and C=O bonds (r_e is the distance between the peaks of the intersecting parabolic curves). This is due to the effect of the triplet repulsion on radical addition. The interaction of polar groups and the steric effect also influence the activation energy.     

Early stages of some small metal particles: A pulse radiolysis study

Recent advances in the pulsing system of the 4 MeV van de Graaff accelerator ELBENA are described, which now allow the generation of stable timed pulses with nanosecond duration. The reaction of tetrachloroplatinate with the hydrated electron, the t-butanol radical and the methanol radical results, via the Cl⁻→H₂O ligand exchange, in different complexes which absorb at 310 and 360 nm, respectively, or in a chain reaction.     

Dioxetane formation in the phenol-inhibited oxidation of hydrocarbons

The structures and energies of possible products of the reaction between the phenoxy radical OAr^• and dioxygen are calculated using the PM6 semiempirical method. The possible adducts are the peroxyl radical OArOO^• and dioxetane radicals. The latter are the cyclization products resulting from the addition of the terminal atom of OArOO^• to a carbon atom of the Ar ring. This reaction is nearly thermoneutral and is, therefore, likely.     

31Cl NQR spectra of compounds in Cl3CCH2CXRR' series

In molecules in the series Cl₃CCH₂CClRR', the substituents R and R' virtually do not affect the chlorine atoms of the Cl₃C group, while the NQR frequency of the chlorine atom of the CClRR' group correlates satisfactorily with the ^* constants of these substituents. The regularities observed in the mutual influence of the atoms in the molecules of the studied series indicate that the previously assumed structure of some products of radical telomerization of Cl₃CH with H₂C=CHCl is erroneous.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 773–776, April, 1990.     

Synthesis and characterization of stable thiazolylazo anion radical complexes of ruthenium(II)

Two stable thiazolylazo anion radical complexes of ruthenium(II), [Ru(L1^•−)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (1) and [Ru(L2^•−)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (2) (where L1 = 2′-Thiazolylazo-2-imidazole and L2 = 4-(2′-Thiazolylazo)-1-n-hexadecyloxy-naphthalene), have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The radical nature of the complexes has been confirmed from their room temperature magnetic moments and X-band ESR spectra. The radical complexes display a moderately intense (ε ~ 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and relatively broad band in 430–460 nm region. In the microcrystalline state, complexes (1) and (2) display strong ESR signals at g = 1.951 and g = 1.988, respectively. In CH₂Cl₂ solution, complexes (1) and (2) show a quasireversible one-electron response near −0.64 and −0.59 V, respectively, versus Ag/AgCl due to the radical redox couple [Ru^II(L)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂]/[Ru^II (L^•−)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃)₂].     

Matrix effects in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of cationic iridium(III) and rhodium(III) coordination complexes

Fast atom bombardment mass spectra of cationic iridium(III) and rhodium(III) coordination complexes (M⁺Cl₂L₂, X^?; where the ligand L is a dinitrogenous aromatic system) have been obtained with thioglycerol, glycerol or tetraglyme as a matrix. Two kinds of reactions, initiated by particle bombardment, have been discovered between these complexes and the matrix. First, with thioglycerol one or two chlorine atoms are substituted by a thioglycerol radical, more rapidly for rhodium compounds; secondly, when the ligand L possesses a diazo function, this function is hydrogenated depending on the ability of the matrix to generate hydrogen radicals by bombardment.     

Preparation and structure of chlorinated poly(vinyl flouride)

The low-temperature chlorination of poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) proceeds readily in CCl₄ suspension. The rate of chlorination is high initially, but the reaction slows down considerably when the chlorine content of the polymer reaches 40–50%. At long reaction times, polymers containing 62% chlorine (1.88 chlorine atoms per monomer unit) can be obtained. As the degree of chlorination increases, the solubility of PVF in organic solvents increases. Polymer crystallinity and polymer softening point decrease with chlorination. Polymers containing 40% chlorine appear to be completely amorphous by x-ray analysis. In this respect, PVF differs from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), where chlorination increases the softening point, and it resembles polyethylene where both crystallinity and softening point decrease with chlorination. ¹⁹F NMR analysis of the polymers indicates that up to a degree of chlorination of 1 chlorine atom per monomer unit, 50% of the substitution occurs on the α-carbon of the PVF molecule. This result is very different from the predominant β-chlorination of PVC reported by several workers. The chemical selectivity observed in the chlorination of PVF is in quantitative agreement with the results of free-radical chlorination of organic compounds and can be rationalized by considering the size and the electronic properties of the fluorine atom. The results of ¹H NMR analysis are also in support of a polymer structure where the chlorine atoms are distributed between α- and β-carbons. Based on a comparison of the ¹⁹F and ¹H NMR data, the average composition of chlorinated PVF at the 1 chlorine atom per monomer unit level can be represented as: C₂₀₀H₂₀₀F₁₀₀Cl₁₀₀ = (CH₂)₆₃(CHF)₅₀(CHCl)₂₄(CClF)₅₀-(CCl₂)₁₃.     

Electronic structure of polychlorophenols and their carbocations

Polychlorophenols (PCP) with different numbers of chlorine atoms and their protonated forms have been calculated by the AM1 method with full optimization of geometry. The proton affinity of PCP with various types of coordination of the proton to the molecule has been estimated. The calculations show that the proton affinity averaged over isomers decreases monotonically as the number of chlorine atoms increases. Based on the calculations of the carbocations, the ⁺ constant of the OH-substituent at theipso-position is equal to 0.69. There is fair agreement between the relative energies of the isomers of the carbocations determined from the constants of the substituents and calculated by the AM1 method. These energies can be recommended for qualitative estimation of the proton affinity in definite positions of aromatic molecules with Cl- and OH-substituents.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1198–1201, July, 1994.     

Towards an Understanding of Halide Interactions with the Carbonyl-Containing Molecule CH3CHO

The anion photoelectron spectra of Cl⁻⋅⋅⋅CD₃CDO, Cl⁻⋅⋅⋅(CD₃CDO)₂, Br⁻⋅⋅⋅CH₃CHO, and I⁻⋅⋅⋅CH₃CHO are presented with electron stabilisation energies of 0.55, 0.93, 0.48, and 0.40 eV, respectively. Optimised geometries of the singly solvated species featured the halide appended to the CH₃CHO molecule in-line with the electropositive portion of the C=O bond and having binding energies between 45 and 52 kJ mol⁻¹. The doubly solvated Cl⁻⋅⋅⋅(CH₃CHO)₂ species features asymmetric solvation upon the addition of a second CH₃CHO molecule. Theoretical detachment energies were found to be in excellent agreement with experiment, with comparisons drawn between other halide complexes with simple carbonyl molecules.     

Selectivity of chlorobenzene chlorination catalyzed by complexes of antimony chloride with crown ethers

We have found that the para selectivity of chlorobenzene chlorination increases in the presence of the synthesized complexes and molecular complexes of antimony pentachloride with crown ethers, formed in solution. We show that complexes of antimony trichloride with crown ethers also initiate radical addition of chlorine to the aromatic ring of chlorobenzene and toluene.     

Multiphoton dissociation of some aromatic molecules. Formation of atomic carbon in the 2p21S0 excited state

Carbon atoms in the high energy metastable state 2p^{2 1}S⁰ have been detected for the first time in multiphoton dissociation of some aromatic molecules, using tunable laser light in the region of 380 to 393 nm. The detection is based on the two-photon resonances2p ¹S₀ → → 3p¹D₂ and 2p¹S₀ → → 3p¹S₀ three-photon ionization of atomic carbon, following the dissociation of the molecule, during the same laser pulse. The results are of particular interest in the field of nonlinear photochemistry.     

New route to 1,1-difluoro-5-methylquasisilatrane

A new route to 1,1-difluoro-5-methylquasisilatrane (N→Si) F₂Si(OCH₂CH₂)₂NMe is elaborated: the reaction of chlorinated methyltrifluorosilanes F₃SiCH_3−n Cln (n = 1–3) as well as trifluoro(3-chloropropyl) silane and trifluoro(propenyl)silane with N-methyl-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine. The reactivity of the silanes F₃SiCH_3−n Cl _n increases with the number of chlorine atoms, that is, with the electronegativity of the CH_3−n Cl _n group.     

Rate constants and atmospheric lifetimes for the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with haloalkanes

Rate constants for the reactions of Cl atoms and OH radicals with haloalkanes were measured using the relative rate technique. From these values the atmospheric lifetimes of the organics with respect to Cl atoms and OH radicals were calculated. Cl atoms were produced by the photolysis of chlorine gas, and photolysis of methyl nitrite was the source of OH radicals. The rate constants were measured for a series of brominated and chlorinated alkanes for which measurements have not yet been reported excepting: k(Cl + 1-chloropropane) and k(OH + 1-chloropropane, 2-chloropropane, and bromoethane). The organics studied were 1-chloropropane, 2-chloropropane, 1,3 dichloropropane, 2-chloro 2methylpropane, bromoethane, 1-bromopropane, 2-bromopropane, 1-bromobutane, 1-bromopentane, and 1-bromohexane. Cl atom reactions were measured at 298 K, the OH radical reactions were measured at temperatures between 298–308 K. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Theoretical investigation of the halogen bonded complexes between carbonyl bases and molecular chlorine

The halogen bonded complexes between six carbonyl bases and molecular chlorine are investigated theoretically. The interaction energies calculated at the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level range between ?1.61 and ?3.50 kcal mol^?1. These energies are related to the ionization potential, proton affinity, and also to the most negative values (V_s,min) on the electrostatic potential surface of the carbonyl bases. A symmetry adapted perturbation theory decomposition of the energies has been performed. The interaction results in an elongation of the Cl? Cl bond and a contraction of the CF and CH bonds accompanied by a blue shift of the ν(CH) vibrations. The properties of the Cl₂ molecules are discussed as a function of the σ*(Cl? Cl) occupation, the hybridization, and the occupation of the Rydberg orbitals of the two chlorine atoms. Our calculations predict a large enhancement of the infrared and Raman intensities of the ν(Cl? Cl) vibration on going from isolated to complexed Cl₂. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Primary photoprocesses in molecules of carbocyanine dyes in binary solvent mixtures

The effect of the composition of the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-toluene mixture on the photophysical processes of thia-, indo-, and imidacarbocyanine dyes was studied. In the mixtures with the DMSO content of more than 20 vol %, the dyes representing solvated cations are characterized by high efficiency of trans → cis photoisomerization and fluorescence, in contrast to the extremely low efficiency of intersystem crossing to the triplet state. With growing the toluene content in the mixture, ion pairs between the dye cation and Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, or BF⁴⁻ anion are formed. In the cases when the dye counterions are Br⁻ or I⁻, a sharp increase in the yield of the triplet molecules and a decrease in their lifetime take place. The results are discussed in terms of “the external heavy atom effect” in ion pairs.