Laser flash photolysis kinetic studies of enol ether radical cations. Rate constants for heterolysis of alpha-methoxy-beta-phosphatoxyalkyl radicals and for cyclizations of enol ether radical cations

Two series of enol ether radical cations were studied by laser flash photolysis methods. The radical cations were produced by heterolyses of the phosphate groups from the corresponding alpha-methoxy-beta-diethylphosphatoxy or beta-diphenylphosphatoxy radicals that were produced by 355 nm photolysis of N-hydroxypryidine-2-thione (PTOC) ester radical precursors. Syntheses of the radical precursors are described. Cyclizations of enol ether radical cations 1 gave distonic radical cations containing the diphenylalkyl radical, whereas cyclizations of enol ether radical cations 2 gave distonic radical cation products containing a diphenylcyclopropylcarbinyl radical moiety that rapidly ring-opened to a diphenylalkyl radical product. For 5-exo cyclizations, the heterolysis reactions were rate limiting, whereas for 6-exo and 7-exo cyclizations, the heterolyses were fast and the cyclizations were rate limiting. Rate constants were measured in acetonitrile and in acetonitrile solutions containing 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and several Arrhenius functions were determined. The heterolysis reactions showed a strong solvent polarity effect, whereas the cyclization reactions that gave distonic radical cation products did not. Recombination reactions or deprotonations of the radical cation within the first-formed ion pair compete with diffusive escape of the ions, and the yields of distonic radical cation products were a function of solvent polarity and increased in more polar solvent mixtures. The 5-exo cyclizations were fast enough to compete efficiently with other reactions within the ion pair (k approximately 2 x 10(9) s(-1) at 20 degrees C). The 6-exo cyclization reactions of the enol ether radical cations are 100 times faster (radical cations 1) and 10 000 times faster (radical cations 2) than cyclizations of the corresponding radicals (k approximately 4 x 10(7) s(-1) at 20 degrees C). Second-order rate constants were determined for reactions of one enol ether radical cation with water and with methanol; the rate constants at ambient temperature are 1.1 x 10(6) and 1.4 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), respectively.     

Heterolytic cleavage of a beta-phosphatoxyalkyl radical resulting in phosphate migration or radical cation formation as a function of solvent polarity

[formula: see text] The 2-(diethylphosphatoxy)-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylethyl radical (1) reacted to give the benzylic radical product from phosphate migration or a radical cation (or a mixture of the two) as a function of solvent. Smooth acceleration in rates of reactions of 1 in solvents of increasing polarity and consistent entropies of activation indicate that radical 1 reacts by common mechanism irrespective of the final products formed, specifically by initial heterolysis to a radical cation-phosphate anion pair.     

SPIN TRAPPING OF FREE RADICALS PRODUCED FROM NITROSOAMINE CARCINOGENS

Abstract— Using the spin trap 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-1-oxide we have demonstrated that the nitrosoamine carcinogen, 1-nitrosopiperidine, upon incubation with rat liver microsomes and nuclei produces two trapped free radical species. One trapped species is the hydroxyl free radical whereas the other is a free radical of unknown structure of the carcinogen itself. Three other nitrosoamine carcinogens tested, including diethylnitrosoamine, dimethylnitrosoamine and 1-nitrosopyrroline yielded similar results with the exception that the trapped carcinogen radical differs dependent upon the compound used. Oxygen was required to produce the hydroxyl free radical but its presence decreased the yield of the carcinogen radical. Both cyanide and α-tocopherol acetate caused a decrease in the yield of the carcinogen free radical. Some heat-labile inhibitor(s) of radical production was/were present in the cytosol. The amount of radical produced was not proportional to the P₄₅₀ content.     

Generation and absolute reactivity of an aryl enol radical cation in solution

Laser flash photolysis of 1-bromo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetone in acetonitrile leads to the formation of the alpha-acyl 4-methoxybenzyl radical that under acidic conditions rapidly protonates to give detectable amounts of the radical cation of the enol of 4-methoxyphenylacetone. This enol radical cation is relatively long-lived in acidic acetonitrile (tau approximately equal to 200 micros), which is on the same order of magnitude as the radical cations of other 4-methoxystyrene derivatives. Rate constants for deprotonation of the radical cation and the acid dissociation constant for the enol radical cation were also determined using time-resolved absorption spectroscopy. Deprotonation is rapid, taking place with a rate constant of 3.9 x 10(6) s(-1), but the enol radical cation is found to be only moderately acidic in acetonitrile having a pK(a) = 3.2. The lifetime of the enol radical cation was also found to be sensitive to the presence of oxygen and chloride. The sensitivity toward oxygen is explained by oxygen trapping the vinyloxy radical component of the enol radical cation/vinyloxy equilibrium, while chloride acts as a nucleophile to trap the enol radical cation.     

Photoreaction of 2-halo-N-pyridinylbenzamide: intramolecular cyclization mechanism of phenyl radical assisted with n-complexation of chlorine radical

The photochemical behavior of 2-halo-N-pyridinylbenzamide (1-4 in Chart 1) was studied. The photoreaction of 2-chloro-N-pyridinylbenzamides 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4 afforded photocyclized products, benzo[c]naphthyridinones (6-9 and 16), in high yield, whereas the bromo analogues 1b, 2b, and 3b produced extensively photoreduced products, N-pyridinylbenzamides (1c, 10, and 11), with minor photocyclized product. Since the photocyclization reaction of 2-chloro-N-pyridinylbenzamide is retarded by the presence of oxygen and sensitized by the presence of a triplet sensitizer, acetone or acetophenone, a triplet state of the chloro analogue is involved in the reaction. Since several radical intermediates, particularly n-complexes of chlorine radical, are identified in the laser flash photolysis of 2-chloro-N-pyridinylbenzamide, an intramolecular cyclization mechanism of phenyl radical assisted with n-complexation of chlorine radical for the cyclization reaction is proposed: the triplet state (78 kcal/mol) of the chloro analogue (1a), which is populated by the excitation of 1a undergoes a homolytic cleavage of the C-Cl bond to give phenyl and chlorine radicals; while chlorine radical holds the neighbor pyridinyl ring with its n-complexation, the intramolecular arylation of the phenyl radical with the pyridinyl ring proceeds to produce a conjugated 2,3-dihydropyridinyl radical and then the conjugated radical aromatizes to afford a cyclized product, benzo[c]naphthyridinone by ejecting a hydrogen. The photoreduction product can be formed by hydrogen atom abstraction of the phenyl sigma radical from the environment.     

Lewis Acid-Mediated Radical Stabilization and Dynamic Covalent Bonding: Tunable,Reversible and Photocontrollable

This work describes a strategy not only to isolate a dynamically stable radical with physical property tunability, but to efficiently regulate the radical dissociation with reversibility and photo controllability. The addition of Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ (BCF) into the solution of a radical σ-dimer ( 1-1 ) led to a stable radical ( 1 ⋅-2B), which has been characterized by EPR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction, in conjunction with theoretical calculation. The radical species is stabilized mainly by captodative effect, single electron transfer and steric effect. The absorption maximum of the radical can be tuned by using different Lewis acids. Dimer 1-1 can be achieved back by addition of a stronger base into the solution of 1 ⋅-2B, exhibiting a reversible process. By introducing a photo BCF generator, the dissociation of the dimer and the formation of the radical adduct become photocontrollable.     

Reactivity of 4-vinylphenol radical cations in solution: implications for the biosynthesis of lignans

Nanosecond laser flash photolysis studies of the radical cation of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene show that the radical cation reacts with neutral 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene and non-phenolic styrenes with rate constants that range from 1 x 10(8) to 5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). Similar 4-vinylphenol radical cations such as the radical cations of isoeugenol and coniferyl alcohol display reduced reactivity, presumably due to the presence of beta-alkyl substituents. Overall, the results show that the reactivity of 4-vinylphenol radical cations with neutral styrenes parallels the reactivity of non-phenolic styrene radical cations, which are known to undergo efficient radical cation mediated dimerization reactions to give lignan-like compounds. The possibility that the biosynthesis of some lignans may follow a radical cation mediated mechanism is discussed.     

Magnetic field effects on the triplet exciplex dynamics in the duroquinone-N,N-dimethylaniline derivative systems

Magnetic field effects (MFEs) on the radical yield in the photoinduced electron transfer reaction from the p-halogen derivatives (4XDMA) of N,N-dimethylaniline to the excited triplet state of duroquinone (DQ) have been investigated in alcoholic solutions at room temperature. In 1-propanol and 1-butanol solutions, the radical yields decreased as the magnetic field increased and became nearly constant at 1-1.8 T in the DQ-4BrDMA and DQ-4IDMA systems, suggesting that the spin-orbit coupling interaction due to the heavy atoms governs the radical yield. On the other hand, in the methanol solution MFE due to a radical pair mechanism was observed. We concluded that the key intermediate to determine the radical yield is the triplet exciplex or contact radical ion pair in the 1-propanol and 1-butanol solutions, while it is the solvent-separated radical ion pair in the methanol solution.     

Substituent effects on the rearrangements of cyclohexyl to cyclopentyl radicals involving avermectin-related radicals

The rearrangement of a substituted cyclohexyl radical to a cyclopentylmethyl radical on the skeleton of avermectin B1 has been investigated using density functional (UB3LYP/6-31G(d)) and G3MP2B3 computational methods. The rearrangement is preferred when highly radical stabilizing groups are present at the 2- and 3-positions of the cyclohexyl radical. A substituent on the 3-position of the cyclohexyl radical enables ring-cleavage of the cyclohexyl radical, while a radical stabilizing substituent on the 2-position of the cyclohexyl radical stabilizes the final cyclopentylmethyl radical, enabling the overall rearrangement and reversing the normal thermodynamic preference for the hexenyl radical ring closure.     

Effect of pH on one-electron oxidation chemistry of organoselenium compounds in aqueous solutions

Pulse radiolysis coupled with absorption detection has been employed to study one-electron oxidation of selenomethionine (SeM), selenocystine (SeCys), methyl selenocysteine (MeSeCys), and selenourea (SeU) in aqueous solutions. Hydroxyl radicals (*OH) in the pH range from 1 to 7 and specific one-electron oxidants Cl2*- (pH 1) and Br2*- (pH 7) have been used to carry out the oxidation reactions. The bimolecular rate constants for these reactions were reported to be in the range of 2 x 10(9) to 10 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). Reactions of oxidizing radicals with all these compounds produced selenium-centered radical cations. The structure and stability of the radical cation were found to depend mainly on the substituent and pH. SeM, at pH 7, produced a monomer radical cation (lambdamax approximately 380 nm), while at pH 1, a dimer radical cation was formed by the interaction between oxidized and parent SeM (lambdamax approximately 480 nm). Similarly, SeCys, at pH 7, on one-electron oxidation, produced a monomer radical cation (lambdamax approximately 460 nm), while at pH 1, the reaction produced a transient species with (lambdamax approximately 560 nm), which is also a monomer radical cation. MeSeCys on one-electron oxidation in the pH range from 1 to 7 produced monomer radical cations (lambdamax approximately 350 nm), while at pH < 0, the reaction produced dimer radical cations (lambdamax approximately 460 nm). SeU at all the pH ranges produced dimer radical cations (lambdamax approximately 410 nm). The association constants of the dimer radical cations of SeM, MeSeCys, and SeU were determined by following absorption changes at lambdamax as a function of concentration. From these studies it is concluded that formation of monomer and dimer radical cations mainly depends on the substitution, pH, and the heteroatoms like N and O. The availability of a lone pair on an N or O atom at the beta or gamma position results in monomer radical cations having intramolecular stabilization. When such a lone pair is not available, the monomer radical cation is converted into a dimer radical cation which acquires intermolecular stabilization by the other selenium atom. The pH dependency confirms the role of protonation on stabilization. The oxidation chemistry of these selenium compounds is compared with that of their sulfur analogues.     

Chemoselective 1-ethylpiperidine hypophosphite (EPHP)-mediated intermolecular radical additions of 1-deoxy-1-halo-1-iodo-alditols to electron-deficient olefins

The chemoselective radical reduction of the iodine atom in a series of 1-deoxy-1-halo-1-iodo-alditols with the 1-ethylpiperidine hypophosphite (EPHP)/AIBN system is described. EPHP is also a good chain carrier for the radical addition of gem-dihalocompounds to electron-deficient olefins. Thus, the synthesis of 4-halo-glycooctononitriles and 4-halo-glycoheptononitriles can be achieved by an intermolecular addition of the 1-deoxy-1-halo-alditol-1-yl radical intermediate to acrylonitrile.     

Kinetic results implicating a polar radical reaction pathway in the rearrangement catalyzed by alpha-methyleneglutarate mutase

alpha-Methyleneglutarate mutase (MGM) catalyzes the rearrangement of 2-methyleneglutarate to 3-methylitaconate (2-methylene-3-methylsuccinate). A putative mechanism for the MGM-catalyzed reaction involves 3-exo cyclization of the 2-methyleneglutaric acid-4-yl radical to a cyclopropylcarbinyl radical intermediate that ring opens to the 3-hydroxycarbonyl-2-methylenebutanoic acid-4-yl radical (3-methylitaconic acid radical). Model reactions for this mechanism were studied by laser flash photolysis kinetic methods. alpha-Ester radicals were produced by 266 nm photolysis of alpha-phenylselenyl ester derivatives. Rate constants for cyclizations of the (Z)-1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)-3-buten-1-yl radical ((Z)-8a) and (E)- and (Z)-1,3-di(ethoxycarbonyl)-4-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)-3-buten-1-yl radicals ((E)- and (Z)-8b) were determined. The ester group in (Z)-8a accelerates the 3-exo cyclization in comparison to the parent radical lacking an ester group by a factor of 3, an effect ascribed to a polarized transition state. The ester groups at C3 in radicals 8b slow the 3-exo cyclization reaction by a factor of 50. The rate constant for cyclization of the 2-methyleneglutaric acid-4-yl radical is estimated to be k approximately 2000 s(-1) at ambient temperature. When coupled with the estimated partitioning of the intermediate cyclopropylcarbinyl radical, the overall rate constant for the conversion is estimated to be k approximately equal to 1 x 10(-3) s(-1), which is much too small for any radical reaction and several orders of magnitude too small for kinetic competence for the MGM-catalyzed process. The possibility that the radical reaction in nature involves an unusual mechanism in which polar effects are important is discussed.     

Revisiting the mechanism of P450 enzymes with the radical clocks norcarane and spiro[2,5]octane

Norcarane (1) and spiro[2.5]octane (2) yield different product distributions depending on whether they are oxidized via concerted, radical, or cationic mechanisms. For this reason, these two probes were used to investigate the mechanisms of hydrocarbon hydroxylation by two mammalian and two bacterial cytochrome P450 enzymes. Products indicative of a radical intermediate with a lifetime ranging from 16 to 52 ps were detected during the oxidation of norcarane by P450(cam) (CYP101), P450(BM3) (CYP102), CYP2B1, and CYP2E1. Trace amounts of the cation rearrangement product were observed with norcarane for all but CYP2E1, while no cation or radical rearrangement products were observed for spiro[2.5]octane. The results for the oxidation of norcarane with a radical rearrangement rate of 2 x 10(8) s(-1) are consistent with the involvement of a two-state radical rebound mechanism, while for the slower (5 x 10(7) s(-1)) spiro[2,5]oct-4-yl radical rearrangement products were beyond detection. Taken together with earlier data for the hydroxylation of bicyclo[2.1.0]pentane, which also suggested a 50 ps radical lifetime, these three structurally similar and functionally simple substrates show a consistent pattern of rearrangement that supports a radical rebound mechanism for this set of cytochrome P450 enzymes.     

C-nitroso compounds—XXIV: Photolysis of some geminal nitro-nitrosoalkanes (“pseudonitroles”)

Photolysis of the “pseudonitrole” 1-nitro-1-nitrosocyclohexane with red light in the absence of oxygen occurs by homolytic C-NO fission, and generates a radical pair: NO and the α-nitro-cyclohexyl radical. If one radical of this pair adds to the NO-group of unchanged starting material, there results a paramagnetic nitroxide, that can combine with the other radical of the pair to a diamagnetic intermediate, forming two isomeric intermediate adducts to the NO double bond. The ratio in which these isomers are formed depends on solvent. In methanol, solvolysis leads to equimolar amounts of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanone-oxime, together with methyl nitrite. In benzene, the major product is cyclohexanone. Small amounts are formed of 1,1-dinitrocyclohexane, 1-nitrocyclohexene and nitrocyclohexane; arising directly from the α-nitrocyclohexyl radical. The nitroxide derived from this radical and the starting material can be detected by ESR.The photolytic behaviour of 1-nitro-1-nitroso-1-cyclopropylethane illustrates the strong interaction between a nitrogroup and an adjacent C-radical centre: only ring-closed products are formed, showing considerable spin delocalisation away from the cyclopropyl ring.     

Electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopic observation of the preoxidation process of CO on Pt(111) electrode surface

Presented are sequential images of CO on Pt(111), observed with electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, during its electrochemical preoxidation process. In the course of the well-known phase transition from the (2 x 2)-3CO-alpha structure to the (radical 19 x radical 19)R23.4 degrees-13CO structure, various structures were observed: (2 x 2)-3CO-beta (Chem. Comm. 2006, 2191-2193), (1 x 1)-CO, and (radical 13 x radical 13)R46.1 degrees-9CO. Based on an analysis of the populations of the structures averaged over imaging time and imaged location at the preoxidation potential range (0-0.25 V vs Ag/AgCl), the structures of CO domains changed sequentially in the order of (2 x 2)-3CO-alpha, (2 x 2)-3CO-beta, (1 x 1)-CO, (radical 13 x radical 13)R46.1 degrees-9CO, and (radical 19 x radical 19)R23.4 degrees-13CO as the potential shifted from 0 to 0.25 V. Such a sequential structural change demonstrates that the structures of (2 x 2)-3CO-beta, (1 x 1)-CO, and (radical 13 x radical 13)R46.1 degrees-9CO are transient ones during the preoxidation of CO on Pt(111). Discussed are the transient structures in terms of various aspects, such as the absence of CO in solution and the origin of compressed structures.     

A stable radical-substituted radical cation with strongly ferromagnetic interaction: nitronyl nitroxide-substituted 5,10-diphenyl-5,10-dihydrophenazine radical cation

A stable radical-substituted radical ion with strongly ferromagnetic intramolecular interaction (J) between the radical and radical ion sites is an attractive spin building block of organic magnets. We prepared 2-nitronyl nitroxide-substituted 5,10-diphenyl-5,10-dihydrophenazine radical cation, 1+. The 1+ salt was stable under aerated conditions at room temperature and had a large J/kB value (>/=+700 K).     

Spectroscopic observation of the resonance-stabilized 1-phenylpropargyl radical

The gas-phase laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrum of a 1-phenylpropargyl radical has been identified in the region 20,800-22,000 cm(-1) in a free jet. The radical was produced from discharges of hydrocarbons including benzene. Disregarding C2, C3, and CH, this radical appears as the most strongly fluorescing product in a visible wavelength two-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission spectrum of a jet-cooled benzene discharge. The structure of the carrier was elucidated by measurement of a matching resonant two-color two-photon ionization spectrum at m/z = 115 and density functional theory. The assignment was proven conclusively by observation of the same excitation spectrum from a low-current discharge of 3-phenyl-1-propyne. The apparent great abundance of the 1-phenylpropargyl radical in discharges of benzene and, more importantly, 1-hexyne may further underpin the proposed importance of the propargyl radical in the formation of complex hydrocarbons in combustion and circumstellar environments.     

Effects of geminal methyl groups on the tunnelling rates in the ring opening of cyclopropylcarbinyl radical at cryogenic temperature

CVT + SCT calculations on the rate of tunnelling at 20 K in the ring opening of cyclopropylcarbinyl radical, substituted with geminal methyl groups at a ring carbon (1b), have been performed. The calculations predict that, contrary to expectations based on the effect of mass on the rate of tunnelling, the geminal methyl substituents in 1b should make the rate of ring opening to 1,1-dimethyl-3-butenyl radical (2b) 10(4) times faster than the rate of ring opening of unsubstituted cyclopropylcarbinyl radical (1a) to 3-butenyl radical (2a) and almost 10(6) times faster than the rate of ring opening of 1b to 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl radical (2c). The reasons for these unexpected findings are discussed.     

EPR studies of amine radical cations. Part 2. Thermal and photo-induced rearrangements of propargylamine and allylamine radical cations in low-temperature freon matrices

Matrix EPR studies and quantum chemical calculations have been used to characterize the consecutive H-atom shifts undergone by the nitrogen-centered parent radical cations of propargylamine (1b*+) and allylamine (5*+) on thermal or photoinduced activation. The radical cation rearrangements of these unsaturated parent amines occur initially by a 1,2 H-atom shift from C1 to C2 with pi-bond formation at the positively charged nitrogen; this is followed by a consecutive reaction involving a second H-atom shift from C2 to C3. Thus, exposure to red light (lambda > 650 nm) converts 1b*+ to the vinyl-type distonic radical cation 2*+ which in turn is transformed on further photolysis with blue-green light (lambda approximately 400-600 nm) to the allene-type heteroallylic radical cation 3*+. Calculations show that the energy ordering is 1b*+ > 2*+ > 3*+, so that the consecutive H-atom shifts are driven by the formation of more stable isomers. Similarly, the parent radical cation of allylamine 5*+ undergoes a spontaneous 1,2-hydrogen atom shift from C1 to C2 at 77 K with a t1/2 of approximately 1 h to yield the distonic alkyl-type iminopropyl radical cation 6*+; this thermal reaction is attributed largely to quantum tunneling, and the rate is enhanced on concomitant photobleaching with visible light. Subsequent exposure to UV light (lambda approximately 350-400 nm) converts 6*+ by a 2,3 H-shift to the 1-aminopropene radical cation 7*+, which is confirmed to be the lowest-energy isomer derived from the ionization of either allylamine or cyclopropylamine. Although the parent radical cations of N, N-dimethylallylamine (9*+) and N-methylallylamine (11*+) are both stabilized by the electron-donating character of the methyl group(s), the photobleaching of 9*+ leads to the remarkable formation of the cyclic 1-methylpyrrolidine radical cation 10*+. The first step of this transformation now involves the migration of a hydrogen atom to C2 of the allyl group from one of the methyl groups (rather than from C1); the reaction is then completed by the cyclization of the generated MeN + (=CH2) CH2CH2CH2* distonic radical cation, possibly in a concerted overall process. In contrast to the ubiquitous H-atom transfer from carbon to nitrogen that occurs in the parent radical cations of saturated amines, the alternate rearrangements of either 1b*+ or 5*+ to an ammonium-type radical cation by a hypothetical H-atom shift from C1 to the ionized NH2 group are not observed. This is in line with calculations showing that the thermal barrier for this transformation is much higher (approximately 120 kJ mol-1) than those for the conversion of 1b*+ --> 2*+ and 5*+--> 6*+ (approximately 40-60 kJ mol-1).     

Interception of the radicals produced in electrophilic fluorination with radical traps (Tempo, Dmpo) studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The interaction of the nitroxide radical traps (Tempo and Dmpo) and radicals produced in the electrophilic fluorination of olefins (styrene and alpha-methylstyrene) and Selectfluor (1-chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octanebis(tetrafluoroborate) (F-TEDA-BF(4)) (1)) was investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Tempo succeeded in intercepting the radical cationic intermediates and the radical adduct ions were detected at m/z 260 (for styrene) and m/z 274 (for alpha-methylstyrene). Dmpo could also intercept the fluorine radical and radical adduct ions were detected at m/z 131, 132 and 152. The interception of the radical cationic intermediates and fluorine radical is good evidence for the presence of a single-electron transfer mechanism in the electrophilic fluorination.