Role of chemiexcited particles in permanganate reduction by citric acid: Investigation with spectrophotometric and chemiluminescence methods

Potassium permanganate reduction by citric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid includes stages of chemigeneration of electronically excited Mn(II) and emission of photons by it. The electronic absorption, reactant concentration, and chemiluminescence kinetics have been investigated. It has been shown that the chemiexcited species Mn(II) (chemiluminescence emitter) acts as a permanganate reduction catalyst.     

CHEMILUMINESCENCE FROM THE OXIDATION OF AUXIN DERIVATIVES

Abstract— The thiophenyl ester of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-acetonitrile produce chemiluminescence in aerated dimethylsulfoxide in the presence of potassium t -butoxide. The emitter is the aromatic aldehyde. In the case of acetonitrile, the other product expected from the cleavage of an intermediate dioxetane, cyanate/isocyanate, has also been identified. Other auxins also chemiluminesce under similar conditions, but the emitters have not been properly identified.
These systems are models for the peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid to indole-3-carboxaldehyde and as such support the earlier inference (Vidigal et al , 1975) that the excited aldehyde is generated in the enzymic process.
An additional result is the observation of an exciplex between excited indole-3-carboxaldehyde and the thiophenylester of indole-3-acetic acid. This appears to be the first case of chemical generation of an exciplex by a route other than radical ion reaction, presumably by the dioxetane route.     

CHEMIEXCITATION IN THE PEROXIDATIVE METABOLISM OF N-METHYLCARBAZOLE: MECHANISTIC IMPLICATIONS

Abstract: The peroxidative metabolism of N -methylcarbazole emits light independently of the presence of oxygen. It is likely that two chemiexcited transients are formed by electron transfer to the activated peroxidase, the cation radical by one electron transfer and a cation biradical by two electron transfer consistent with the failure to observe horseradish peroxidase-II in the steady state of the reaction. In the spectral range investigated (390–700 nm) the observed emission (570–700 nm) is ascribed to the biradical, as the latter is equivalent to an excited state of the postulated iminium cation.
While lipoxygenase has no effect upon N -methylcarbazole, it markedly enhances the emission if peroxidase is present. This effect requires oxygen and is ascribed to an excited product formed by lipoxygenase acting upon an intermediate hydroperoxide of the aerobic process promoted by peroxidase.
Our results are of importance on two counts. First they extend to N -rnethylcarbazole the formation of excited species in the peroxidative metabolism of important xenobiotics. Second, the mechanistic information they provide supports the scheme of metabolism postulated by Kedderis et al. (1986, J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15910–15914).     

CHEMIEXCITATION IN THE PEROXIDATIVE METABOLISM OF N- METHYLCARBAZOLE: MECHANISTIC IMPLICATIONS

Abstract –The peroxidative metabolism of TV-methylcarbazole emits light independently of the presence of oxygen. It is likely that two chemiexcited transients are formed by electron transfer to the activated peroxidase, the cation radical by one electron transfer and a cation biradical by two electron transfer consistent with the failure to observe horseradish peroxidase-II in the steady state of the reaction. In the spectral range investigated (390–700 nm) the observed emission (570–700 nm) is ascribed to the biradical, as the latter is equivalent to an excited state of the postulated iminium cation.
While lipoxygenase has no effect upon JV-methylcarbazole, it markedly enhances the emission if peroxidase is present. This effect requires oxygen and is ascribed to an excited product formed by lipoxygenase acting upon an intermediate hydroperoxide of the aerobic process promoted by peroxidase.     

Different lethal effects by enzyme-generated triplet indole-3-aldehyde in different Escherichia coli strains

Strains of Escherichia coli which lack 4-thiouridine (S4U) exhibit a higher survival rate than their wild-type parents which contain S4U after treatment with enzyme-generated triplet indole-3-aldehyde. In a similar manner to results obtained with monochromatic 334 nm UV light, the survival is related to single-strand breakage of DNA in E. coli containing the pBR 322 plasmid. The effects of the excited states generated by an enzymatic system suggest that S4U is an important chromophore in the lethal effects observed. The results also suggest that the energy transferred from triplet indole-3-aldehyde to S4U may also be passed from S4U of t-RNA to DNA, possibly through a singlet oxygen intermediate generated by excited S4U, resulting in a decrease in the survival rate of E. coli containing S4U. These results emphasize the importance of excited states in biological systems.     

Distinguishing between keto–enol and acid–base forms of firefly oxyluciferin through calculation of excited‐state equilibrium constants

Although recent years have seen much progress in the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the bioluminescence of fireflies, there is to date no consensus on the precise contributions to the light emission from the different possible forms of the chemiexcited oxyluciferin (OxyLH₂) cofactor. Here, this problem is investigated by the calculation of excited‐state equilibrium constants in aqueous solution for keto–enol and acid–base reactions connecting six neutral, monoanionic and dianionic forms of OxyLH₂. Particularly, rather than relying on the standard Förster equation and the associated assumption that entropic effects are negligible, these equilibrium constants are for the first time calculated in terms of excited‐state free energies of a Born–Haber cycle. Performing quantum chemical calculations with density functional theory methods and using a hybrid cluster‐continuum approach to describe solvent effects, a suitable protocol for the modeling is first defined from benchmark calculations on phenol. Applying this protocol to the various OxyLH₂ species and verifying that available experimental data (absorption shifts and ground‐state equilibrium constants) are accurately reproduced, it is then found that the phenolate‐keto‐OxyLH^– monoanion is intrinsically the preferred form of OxyLH₂ in the excited state, which suggests a potential key role for this species in the bioluminescence of fireflies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF TRYPTOPHAN AND N-ACETYL-L-TRYPTOPHANAMIDE; THE EFFECT OF BROMIDE ON TRANSIENT YIELDS

Abstract— Electronic spectra of indoles are very sensitive to solvents. These solvent effects are particularly pronounced in the case of the fluorescence spectra of indoles. In order to elucidate the solvent band shifts during the relaxation of the excited states, particularly in polar solvents, the dipole moments of the excited singlet states have been estimated from the data of solvent-dependent Stokes shifts. In addition to indole, indole-5-carboxylic acid, indole-3-carboxylic acid, indole-2-carboxylic acid, 5-cyano- and 5-bromo-indoles have been investigated. All indoles showed a substantial increase in dipole moment upon excitation to the emitting state. These results are generally consistent with the Pariser-Parr-Pople SCF MO calculations.     

RED EMISSION FROM CHLOROPLASTS ELICITED BY ENZYME-GENERATED TRIPLET ACETONE AND TRIPLET INDOLE-3-ALDEHYDE

—Enzyme-generated triplet acetone and triplet indole-3-aldehyde transfer energy very efficiently to chloroplasts, as indicated by the intensity of the sensitized red emission that is observed. The intermediacy of excited species of oxygen (¹O₂, O₂⁻, HO) has been excluded. Our results open the way for investigating energy transfer in architecturally organized systems in the absence of light.     

FREE RADICALS AND EXCITED SPECIES IN THE METABOLISM OF INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID AND ITS ETHYL ESTER BY HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE AND BY NEUTROPHILS

The peroxidative metabolization of indole-3-acetic acid, a biologically important process, has been followed by EPR spectroscopy with the aim of obtaining information on the mechanism of generation of electronically excited species. The skatole-3-methylene radical detected during oxidation by horseradish peroxidase, does not appear to be involved in a major oxygen consuming process or in the generation of singlet oxygen. The chemiluminescence spectrum exhibits several maxima, which are also observed when the ethyl ester of indole-3-acetic acid is metabolized by horseradish peroxidase or by myeloperoxidase in neutrophils. When the ester is metabolically activated in either of these systems, the EPR spectrum indicates a tertiary carbon-centered radical. This radical centered on the carbon in the 3-position participates in a chemiexcitation/emissive route. Within the cell, this emissive process is responsible for a large part of the oxygen consumed. Some of the emitters originate in the cleavage of the 2,3 double bond. The ester, which is capable of penetrating into the cells, also emits with other myeloperoxidase-containing cells. This compound may have useful applications as an intracellular chemiluminescent probe for the presence of myeloperoxidase.     

Hydrogen-bonding effects on the fluorescence versus electron-transfer-initiated chemiluminescence spectra of the m-oxybenzoate ion derived from a bicyclic dioxetane

A comparative spectral study of the fluorescence of the m-oxybenzoate anion versus the electron-transfer-initiated chemiluminescence (CIEEL) of the same anion derived from the bicyclic dioxetanes in various solvents is reported. The present study reveals that the fluorescence of this oxyanion is blue-shifted in protic versus aprotic solvents, while the CIEEL-spectral maximum is independent of the medium. The same phenomenon has been recently observed for the m-oxybenzoate ion derived from CIEEL-active spiroadamantyl dioxetanes. The reported spectral differences between the fluorescence and chemiluminescence emissions cannot be attributed to exciplex formation in the CIEEL process, but result from the differences in hydrogen-bonding effects on the photo- and chemiexcited oxyanion species. The observed solvatochromism is qualitatively rationalized in terms of the semiempirical AM1 calculations.     

A convenient synthesis of 3-methyleneoxindoles: cytotoxic metabolites of indole-3-acetic acids

3-Methyleneoxindole is a cytotoxic metabolite of indole-3-acetic acid with potential for use in cancer therapy. This species and ring-substituted analogues are conveniently synthesised from the corresponding isatins via a Peterson olefination.     

Photophysics of indole-2-carboxylic acid in an aqueous environment studied by fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with ab initio calculations

The photo-physics and -chemistry of indoles are known to be highly complex and strongly dependent on their precise molecular structure and environment. Combination of spectroscopic analysis with quantum chemical calculations should be a powerful tool to unravel precise excited state deactivation mechanisms. At the same time, combined studies are seldom and likely far from trivial. In this work we explore the feasibility of combining spectroscopic and quantum-chemical data into one consistent model. The molecule of choice is indole-2-carboxylic acid (ICA) in aqueous media. Excited state dynamics are determined by time-resolved fluorescence experiments, while excited state reaction pathways of ICA-H(2)O clusters are explored by ab initio calculations.     

Fluorimetric determination of indole derivatives by fluorophore generation in copper(II)-sulphuric acid solution

A spectrofluorimetric procedure for the determination of indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-propanoic acid and indole-3-butyric acid by derivatization with copper sulphate—sulphuric acid solution has been developed. The optimum reaction conditions, the effect of interferents and the advantages associated with the use of first- and second-derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry have been studied. The detection limits are 3, 12 and 6 ng/ml for indole-3-acetic, indole-3-propanoic and indole-3-butyric acid, respectively.     

PEROXIDASE-GENERATED TRIPLET INDOLE-3-ALDEHYDE ADDS TO URIDINE BASES AND EXCITES THE 4-THIOURIDINE GROUP IN t-RNAPhe

Abstract Triplet indole-3-aldehyde generated by the peroxidase catalyzed aerobic oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid adds to t-RNA^phe with an efficiency which can reach 20% of the theoretical value based upon the substrate. The reaction occurs with uridine groups and is of the Paterno-Büchi type. Magnesium ions reduced addition and increased the sensitized emission from the 4-thiouridine group. Our results, coupled with available biological data obtained with selectively labeled indole-3-acetic acid, support the hypothesis that formation of triplet indole-3-aldehyde is at the root of the biological effects of indole-3-acetic acid.     

Mössbauer, vibrational spectroscopic and solution X-ray diffraction studies of the structure of iron(III) complexes formed with indole-3-alkanoic acids in acidic aqueous solutions

The chemical reactions between iron(III) and indole-3-acetic (IAA), -propionic (IPA), and -butyric (IBA) acids were studied in acidic aqueous solutions. The motivation of this work was that IAA is one of the most powerful natural plant-growth-regulating substances (phytohormones of the auxin series). Mössbauer spectra of the frozen aqueous solutions of iron(III) with indole-3-alkanoic acids as ligands (L), showed parallel reactions between Fe³⁺ and the ligands. Partly, it resulted in a complex formation which precipitated in aqueous solution and partly, in a redox process with iron(II) and the oxidised indole-3-alkanoic acids as products. The Mössbauer parameters of the Fe²⁺ species suggested a hexaaquo coordination environment. The chemical composition and coordination structure of the precipitated complexes were investigated using elemental analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopic techniques. The complexes were soluble in some organic solvents. So, Mössbauer, FTIR and solution X-ray diffraction measurements were carried out on the solution of complexes in acetone, hexadeutero acetone and methanol, respectively. The data obtained supported the existence of the μ-dihydroxo-bridging structure of the dimer: [L₂Fe<(OH)₂>FeL₂] (where L is indole-3-propionate, -acetate or -butyrate).     

Chemiluminescence quantum yield in permanganate reduction reactions in acid medium

Chemiluminescence quantum yields for the reactions of permanganate with oxalic, tartaric, and citric acids; hydrazine; KBr; and FeSO₄ in aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid have been measured. The maximum quantum yield reaches 1.2 × 10^?5 einstein/mol with the chemiexcitation yield being 2%. Hence, the relatively low chemiluminescence quantum yield is due to a low yield of light emission by chemiexcited particles, rather than the low chemiexcitation yield.     

FLUORESCENCE QUENCHING OF INDOLIC COMPOUNDS BY ALIPHATIC AMINO ACIDS. EVIDENCE FOR EXCITED STATE COMPLEXES

Abstract The fluorescence quenching of indole, tryptophan, tryptamine and indole-3-acetic by aliphatic amino acids was studied. The bimolecular rate constant ( k _q) for the deactivation of the excited state was determined. The k _q values were in the range 0.6 × 10⁸–1.6 × 10⁹ M ^–1 S^–1 and they increased in the order tryptophan < tryptamine < indole ≈ indole-3-acetic acid. When the rate constant was corrected for diffusion al effects a good linear correlation was found between the log ( k '_q) and the ionization equilibrium constant of the carboxylic group of the amino acid (p ^k _a1). This was interpreted as arising from a charge transfer mechanism in which the indole moiety acts as an electron donor and the carbonyl group of the amino acid as the acceptor.
The activation parameter for the quenching processes were also determined. The ΔH^≠ values were in the range —4.0 to +4.0 kcal/mol and the ΔH^≠ in the range –7 to –37 e.u. For the systems with lower values of k _q negative values for ΔH^≠ were observed. A good enthalpy-entropy compensation was found with an isokinetic temperature of 229 K. These results suggest that a common mechanism is operating for all the systems and that it involves the formation of an excited state complex between the indolic compound and the amino acid.     

Two-color threshold photoionization spectroscopy of jet-cooled indole clusters

We report the results of a comprehensive investigation of the two-color threshold photoionization of jet-cooled indole clusters. Using two-color photoionization spectroscopy, we have probed both the neutral excited levels and the ground ionic states of indole clusters containing non-polar (Ar, CH₄, CF₄, C₆H₆) and polar (H₂O, MeOH, EtOH, NH₃, N(CH₃)₃) solvent species. These studies have allowed the determination of accurate cluster ionization energies (IEs) as well as the assignment of electronic absorption features to clusters of known composition. The determination of the cluster IE, which is typically lower than that of bare indole, has allowed us to investigate the importance of charge-induced dipole and charge-dipole attractive forces in the binding of the ion-neutral clusters. In addition, we have found that the shape of the photoionization efficiency (PIE) spectra gives valuable information regarding the relative shape and/or position of the potential energy surfaces of the neutral excited and ground ionic states of the clusters. We have also identified two distinct conformational isomers of the indole-(H₂O)₁ hydrogen bonded cluster using the techniques of electronic spectroscopy, two-color threshold ionization spectroscopy and mass analysis.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of auxins and flavonoids in plant samples by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Simultaneous determination of indole-3-acetic acid and methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester in small amounts of plant tissue is essential for elucidating their mutual transformation mechanism and the in vivo function of methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester. Rapid quantification of flavonoids in the same sample is important for clarifying their roles in the transport of auxins and other phytohormones. Herein, we describe a simple method for the simultaneous determination of indole-3-acetic acid and its methyl ester in the roots of the Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and a protocol for the rapid extraction and quantification of quercetin and kaempferol in these seedlings. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was used for the detection of all the compounds. Negative data for indole-3-acetic acid and positive data for methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester were collected in two successive files with a single injection of the extracted sample. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection for the four compounds was 2 ng/mL for indole-3-acetic acid, 0.5 ng/mL for methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester, 5 ng/mL for quercetin, and 1 ng/mL for kaempferol, respectively. Because of the high sensitivity of the assay, only 2-10 mg of the plant material was required to obtain quantitative results.     

A new oxathiolane from Enterobacter cloacae

Enterobacter cloacae is a versatile bacterial species inhabiting a wide variety of niches and is capable of metabolising a wide variety of substances as energy resources. The fermentation culture of this bacterial species has successfully yielded one new compound, Rimboxa (1) and three known compounds, i.e. indole-3-carboxaldehyde (2), indole-3-acetic acid (3) and 3,4-di-t-butylaniline (4). Rimboxa (1) is shown to possess the 1,2-oxathiolane core structure. 3,4-Di-t-butylaniline (4) is isolated for the first time from a natural resource. These compounds were isolated and characterised using extensive chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, and were subjected to cytotoxicity evaluations.