Spectroscopic properties of anion radicals studied using pulse radiolysis

The anion radicals of benzophenone, amino derivatives of benzophenone, fluorenone, furil and antharcene have been generated by pulse radiolysis in acetonitrile solution and their spectroscopic and kinetic properties have been characterized. The G-value for generation of anion radicals in acetonitrile has been measured to be 1.01 ± 0.1 per 100 eV. We have also investigated the electron-transfer reactions from anion radicals of one kind of solutes to the ground state of another solute. This study has demonstrated that pulse radiolysis can be a useful technique for generation and characterization of anion radicals and for studying electron-transfer reactions using acetonitrile as solvent.     

Formation and reaction of polymer ions in solutions studied by pulse radiolysis

Formation and reaction of polymer anions in solutions of poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(n-butyl methacrylate), poly(isobutyl methacrylate) and poly(4-vinylbiphenyl) in hexamethylphosphorictriamide and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran were studied by nanosecond pulse radiolysis. The rate constants of the reactions of the polymers with solvated electrons were determined and they were compared with those of the corresponding low molecular-weight molecules. Besides, the decay reactions as well as the electron transfer reactions of the anion radicals of these polymers were investigated. The time-profile of the poly(4-vinylbiphenyl) anion observed in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran at room temperature showed a spike which was followed by a slow decay. The fast decaying component was tentatively attributed to geminate recombinations within micro domains in the solution where the polymers were entangled.     

One-electron reduction of thionine studied by pulse radiolysis

One-electron reduction of thionine has been studied by using the technique of nanosecond pulse radiolysis and kinetic spectrophotometry. H,e _aq ⁻ as well as radicals derived from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, THF, dioxane andt-butanol by H atom abstraction were used as reductants. The rate constants for the transfer of electrons from these radicalts to thionine were directly determined from the pseudo first-order formation rates of the product, semithionine and the one-electron reduction potential of thionine estimated. The absorption spectrum of semithionine in its different conjugate acid-base forms was found to be in agreement with previously reported spectra and the decay of the species was second order. By monitoring transient absorbance changes as a function of pH, twopK _a values were observed and, based on the effect of ionic strength on the second-order decay constants of the species were assigned to the equilibria described.     

Direct observation of guanine radical cation deprotonation in duplex DNA using pulse radiolysis

The dynamics of one-electron oxidation of guanine (G) base mononucleotide and that in DNA have been investigated by pulse radiolysis. The radical cation (G+*) of deoxyguanosine (dG), produced by oxidation with SO(4)-*, rapidly deprotonates to form the neutral G radical (G(-H)*) with a rate constant of 1.8 x 10(7) s(-1) at pH 7.0, as judged from transient spectroscopy. With experiments using different double-stranded oligonucleotides containing G, GG, and GGG sequences, the absorbance increases at 625 nm, characteristic of formation of the G(-H)*, were found to consist of two phases. The rate constants of the faster ( approximately 1.3 x 10(7) s(-1)) and slower phases ( approximately 3.0 x 10(6) s(-1)) were similar for the different oligonucleotides. On the other hand, in the oligonucleotide containing G located at the 5'- and 3'-terminal positions, only the faster phase was seen. These results suggest that the lifetime of the radical cation of the G:C base pair (GC+*), depending on its location in the DNA chain, is longer than that of free dG. In addition, the absorption spectral intermediates showed that hole transport to a specific G site within a 12-13mer double-stranded oligonucleotide is complete within 50 ns; that is, the rate of hole transport over 20 A is >10(7) s(-1).     

Localized electrons in 1,8-octanediol crystals studied by ESR spectroscopy and pulse radiolysis

Localized electrons in 1,8-octanediol crystals have been studied by pulse radiolysis and ESR spectroscopy. The maximum of the optical absorption is at 625 nm. The decay is first order with an activation energy of 16.3 kJ mole^?1. The assignment of the optical spectrum has been made by ESR at 67 K. When the electron decays the -CH₂CHCH₂- radical grows in.     

The spectral characterization of thiophene radical cation generated by pulse radiolysis

Pulse radiolysis matched with kinetic spectrometry has been employed to produce and characterize the radical cations of the series of unsubstituted oligothiophenes from one to six rings in dichloromethane dilute solutions. The concentration of radicals has been tuned to low values so as to slow down dimerization processes. The spectra obtained for the radical cations with 2 to 6 rings agree with previous literature reports. The novel isolation of the radical cation of thiophene itself and its spectral characterization, both experimental and theoretical, stresses its close relationship to the electronic structure of oligothiophenes. This fact strongly recommends that the charge carrier properties of oligothiophenes be interpreted on the basis of the molecular orbital theory rather than of the polaron model. The state responsible for the main UV absorption band is found to be described by a mixture of configurations where the HOMO→LUMO transition is present with different spin couplings.     

Exclusion of aromatic radical cations from cyclodextrin nanocavity studied by pulse radiolysis

The influence of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) on the one-electron oxidation reaction of aromatic sulfides (S) with Br2*- and the decay process of the S radical cation (S*+) was investigated by pulse radiolysis. The dissociation kinetics of S*+ from the CD cavity was examined in terms of the apparent equilibrium constants (Kapp) for the formation and decay processes of S*+. Inhibition of the one-electron oxidation reaction of S by Br2*- was clearly observed in the presence of HP-beta-CD. On the basis of a comparison between the determined Kapp values, it was found that the binding ability of S*+ with HP-beta-CD is much lower than that of S, because of the hydrophobic nature of the cavity. The formation process of the dimer radical cation of 4-(methylthio)phenylmethanol ((MTPM)2*+), which is generated between MTPM(*+) and neutral MTPM in solution, was also inhibited by the addition of HP-beta-CD.     

Oxidative degradation processes in synthetic and biological polymers as studied by pulse radiolysis experiments

On the basis of pulse radiolysis experiments carried out with various polymers in dilute solution three modes of action of molecular oxygen, O₂ can be discriminated with respect to main-chain scission: (a) O₂ acts as a promoter, (b) O₂ acts as an inhibitor, and (c) O₂ acts as a fixing agent for main-chain breaks. The promoting mode of action (a) is due to the inhibition of simultaneously occurring intermolecular acrosslinking [DNA, poly(methyl vinyl ketone)] and/or to the combination of peroxyl radicals with the subsequent formation of readily decomposing oxyl radicals (polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyribouridylic acid, polyriboadenylic acid, polyribocytidylic acid). The inhibiting mode of action (b) pertains to the reaction of O₂ with macroradicals that otherwise undergo main-chain rupture [amylose, poly(methyl methacrylate)]. Fixing of main-chain ruptures (mode c) becomes important, if macroradicals generated by a very fast rupture of bonds in the main chain, are prone to recombine quickly. This mode of action was evidence in the case of polybutenesulfone, where main-chain scission involves the extrusion of small segments of the chain.     

Formation of an intermediate radical cation in the nanosecond pulse radiolysis of Malachite Green Leucocyanide in organic solvents

The malachite green leucocyanide (MGCN) was irradiated in argon or oxygen saturated solutions of n-butyl chloride, 1.2-DCE, CCl₄ and acetone with 13 ns electron pulses. Two species with absorption maxima at 620 and 480 nm were observed. The latter was attributed to the malachite green leucocyanide radical cation (MGCN^+.) and the former to the known carbonium ion of malachite green dye (MG⁺). Observation of the consecutive charge transfer via the schemes: DCE^+. → BPh^+. → MGCN^+. and DCE^+. → MGCN^+. → TMPD^+., allowed to estimate the ionization potential of MGCN molecule in the range 6.9 eV < Ip_MGCN < 8.27 eV. Presented results and literature data suggest that positive charge in MGCN^+. radical cation is located in the “aniline” part of the molecule.     

Transient species of fullerenes studied with pulse radiolysis and laser photolysis

The excited triplet of C60 or C70 is generated via either direct excitation by laser light or energy transfer from excited states of solvent to C60 and C70. The cation radical of C60 is produced either via hole transfer from cation radical of CCl4 to C60 or via electron transfer from excited triplet of C60 to CCl4. C60 and C70 could be added to trichloromethyl radical to produce adduct radicals with different mechanisms.     

Production of solvated electrons,ion-paris and alkali metal anions in tetrahydrofuran studied by pulse radiolysis

Pulse radiolysis of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and solutions of NaAIH₄ in THF shows the formation of solvated electrons (e^?_s), their conversion to Na⁺-e^?_s) ion-pairs and ultimately the alkali metal anion (Na^?).     

The kinetics of the reaction of iodine with hydrazine as studied by pulse radiolysis

Pulse radiolysis was utilized to study the iodine — hydrazine reaction in aqueous solutions of pH3 to 7, at I^– concentrations of 0.02 to 0.34M, and a constant ionic strength of 0.35M. The reaction rate was found to be proportional to [H⁺]^–1 and [I^–]^–1. Experimental results support the assumption that the rate-determining step is the reaction of I₂ with N₂H₄ with a rate constant K1.2×10⁷ M^–1s^–1.     

Formation of radicals in the liquid and solid-phase radiolysis of esters studied by spin trapping

The radiolysis of some esters /formates and acetates/ has been studied both in liquid and in solid states using a number of different spin traps. Specific deuteration was applied to elucidate the mechanism of radical formation. The radicals were found to result from the reactions of ester radical cations, radical anions and excited molecules. Evidence for intramolecular rearrangement in the radical cations of esters in condensed phase was obtained.     

Fundamental reactions in TiO2 nanocrystallite aqueous solutions studied by pulse radiolysis

Reactions of the hydrated electron, H atoms, 2-propanol, and methanol radicals with the TiO₂ nano-particles have been studied either directly or by competition kinetics. The radicals were produced by radiolysis of 2-propanol, t-butanol, or methanol aqueous solutions in acid pH's. The reactions involve electron injection to the conduction band. As expected, the t-butanol radical is inert towards TiO₂ under our conditions, while the other reducing radicals react with TiO₂. The reactivity decreases in the order: e_aq⁻>H>CH₃COHCH₃>CH₂OH. Two TiO₂ nanocrystallite sizes, with average diameters of 1.0 and 4.7 nm were compared. For equal concentrations (in terms of TiO₂ molecules), the rate of electron injection shows relatively little dependency on particle size. The rates of interfacial electron transfer and transfer coefficient are also reported.     

One-electron oxidation and demetalation of metalloporphyrins and chlorophyll a in dichloroethane solutions as studied by pulse radiolysis

Formation of cation radicals by pulse radiolysis of metalloporphyrins and chlorophyll a in 1,2-dichloroethane is reported Demetalation of the metalloporphyrin by radiolytically produced HC1 is also observed. Rate constants for demetalation of ZnTPP and Chl a are 1 1 × 10⁸ and ≈ 3 × 10⁸ M^?1 S^?1. Oxidation of Chl a by ZnTPP⁺ has a rate constant of ≈ 4× 10⁹ M^?1S^?1.     

Kinetic and spectral properties of the intermediates formed in the pulse radiolysis of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole

The reactions of primary species of water radiolysis such as e^- _aq, H* and *OH, and some specific one electron reductants and oxidants with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole have been studied at various pHs. *OH radical reaction with MBZ at pH 7 gave a transient species having absorption maxima (λ_max) at 330 and 590 nm. The transient species (pK_a = 3.6) was found to be neutral at this pH and was a mild oxidant. The initial transient species formed by the reaction of MBZ with e^{- aq} at pH 7 and with H atom at pH 0 were found to react with the parent molecule to form another transient species which has an absorption spectrum similar to that obtained by *OH radical reaction with λ_max at 590 nm. However the reaction is not quantitative. The kinetic, spectral, acid-base and redox properties of the transient species are reported.