Design,Synthesis, Electronic Properties,and X-ray Structural Characterization of Various Modified Electron-Rich Calixarene Derivatives and Their Conversion to Stable Cation Radical Salts

We have designed and synthesized electron-rich calixarene derivatives, which undergo reversible electrochemical oxidation in a well-accessible potential range that allows the ready preparation and isolation of the corresponding cation radicals. Preparation of mono- or tetra-radical cation can be achieved by using stable aromatic cation-radical salts such as MA^+•, MB^+•, and NAP^+• as selective organic oxidants. The cation radicals of calixarenes are stable indefinitely at ambient temperatures and can be readily characterized by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. These cation radicals bind a single molecule of nitric oxide within its cavity with remarkable efficiency.     

Tubular conjugated polymer for chemosensory applications

In this paper, we present the concept of a soluble tubular conjugated polymer (TCP). We report on a fluorescent 5,5'-Bicalixarene-based polymer where the calixarene units are seamlessly incorporated in the conjugated polymeric chain that can respond to a small molecule complexation inside the hydrophobic cavity. In particular, our system demonstrated a reversible rapid fluorescence quenching upon interaction of gaseous nitric oxide with the calixarene moiety.     

ESR evidence for the formation of the ring-opened cation CH2OCH2± from ethylene oxide

ESR results show that the radical cation formed from ethylene oxide in the solid state is the ring-opened 2-oxa-trimethylene cation with a symmetrical (C_2ν) planar structure similar to that of the isoelectronic allyl radical. In contrast, the trimethylene oxide radical cation retains the ring structure of the parent molecule and its ESR parameters are characteristic of an oxygen-centred species.     

Molecular recognition of NO/NO+ via multicenter (charge-transfer) binding to bridged diarene donors. Effect of structure on the optical transitions and complexation thermodynamics

Bridged diarenes form very strong [1:1] complexes with nitrosonium/nitric oxide in which the NO moiety is optimally sandwiched in the cleft between a pair of cofacial aromatic rings which act as a molecular "Venus flytrap". The spectral features of these associates are generally similar to those for [1:1] and [2:1] nitrosonium complexes with mononuclear alkyl-substituted benzenes, and they are appropriately described within the LCAO molecular-orbital methodology and the Mulliken (charge-transfer) formulation of donor/acceptor electronic transitions. The thermodynamics study indicates that the efficient binding is determined by (i) the close matching of the donor/acceptor redox potentials and (ii) the ability of bridged diarenes for multicentered interactions with a single NO moiety. The best fit of the electronic and structural parameters is provided by a calixarene host that allows the interacting centers to be arranged in a manner similar to those extant in [2:1] nitrosonium complexes with analogous (nonbridged) aromatic donors; this results in its very strong noncovalent binding with nitrosonium/nitric oxide with the formation constant of K(B) approximately 10(8) M(-)(1) and free-energy change of -DeltaG degrees = 45 kJ mol(-)(1). Such strong, selective, and reversible bindings of nitrosonium/nitric oxide by (cofacial) aromatic centers thus provide the basis for the development of efficient NO sensors/absorbents and also suggest their potential relevance to biochemical systems.     

Assessing the antioxidative properties and chemical composition of Linaria vulgaris infusion

The ability of Linaria vulgaris (Scrophulariaceae) infusion to act as a scavenger of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hypochlorous acid (HOCl)) and nitric oxide was investigated. The obtained data indicate that the infusion has a good scavenging activity against superoxide radical and is a very potent nitric oxide and DPPH scavenger. In hydroxyl radical assay a pro-oxidant capacity was noticed, especially for concentrations higher than 31.25 microg mL(-1). No effect was found against HOCl. A phytochemical study of this extract was also performed. The HPLC/UV analysis allowed the identification and quantification of eight organic acids (oxalic, aconitic, citric, ketoglutaric, ascorbic, malic, shikimic and fumaric acids). The phenolic composition of the lyophilised infusion was also determined by HPLC/DAD and four compounds were quantified, but, despite its high content, only linarin was managed to be identified.     

An Amphoteric Switch to Aromatic and Antiaromatic States of a Neutral Air‐Stable 25π Radical

Ever since the discovery of the trityl radical, isolation of a stable and neutral organic radical has been a synthetic challenge. A (4n+1)π open‐shell configuration is one such possible neutral radical but an unusual state between aromatic (4n+2)π and antiaromatic (4n)π electronic circuits. The synthesis and characterization of an air‐ and water‐stable neutral 25π pentathiophene macrocyclic radical is now described. It undergoes reversible one‐electron oxidation to a 24π antiaromatic cation and reduction to a 26π aromatic anion, thus confirming its amphoteric behavior. Structural determination by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed a planar configuration for the neutral radical, antiaromatic cation, and aromatic anion. In the solution state, the cation shows the highest upfield chemical shift ever observed for a 4nπ system, while the anion adhered to aromatic nature. Computational studies revealed the delocalized nature of the unpaired electron as confirmed by EPR spectroscopy.     

On the mechanism of the ascorbic acid-induced release of nitric oxide from N-nitrosated tryptophan derivatives: scavenging of NO by ascorbyl radicals

During the past years, there has been increasing interest in endogenous nitric oxide storage compounds. Recently, we briefly reported on the ascorbate-dependent release of nitric oxide ((.)NO) from N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives. In the present study, the underlying mechanism of (.)NO release is studied in more detail, primarily utilizing N-acetyl-N-nitrosotryptophan (NANT) as a model compound. The initial rate of the ascorbate-induced release of nitric oxide has been found to correspond to the rate of NANT decay. In this process, N-acetyltryptophan (NAT) is produced almost quantitatively. The final yield of nitrite amounted to around 90 % with respect to the applied amount of NANT. However, the total release of nitric oxide was only 60 %, as determined by using an FNOCT-4(fluorescent nitric oxide cheletropic trap number 4) assay. Besides nitric oxide, a second volatile product, dinitrogen oxide (N(2)O), has been identified by using (15)N NMR spectrometry, strongly indicating the intermediacy of nitroxyl (HNO). The formation of intermediate ascorbyl radical anions during the NANT-ascorbate reaction has been monitored by using ESR spectrometry. Unexpectedly, it was found that the primary oxidized product of vitamin C, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), efficiently consumes nitric oxide. Since ESR spectrometry further revealed that ascorbyl radical anions are also generated during the spontaneous decay of DHA, the DHA-nitric oxide reaction is related to recombination of (.)NO with the thus formed ascorbyl radical anions. A conclusively established mechanism of the NANT-ascorbate reaction is presented, with O-nitrosoascorbate as a key intermediate, as additionally supported by CBS-QB3 calculations. The present study suggests that vitamin C and its oxidation products can chemically counterbalance endogenous nitric oxide levels.     

Catecholamine-induced release of nitric oxide from N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives: a non-enzymatic method for catecholamine oxidation

In recent years, interest in the physiological functions of S-nitrosothiols has strongly increased owing to the potential of these compounds to release nitric oxide. In contrast, little is known about similar functions of N-nitrosated (N-terminal-blocked) tryptophan derivatives, which can be also formed at physiological pH. Utilizing N-acetyl-N-nitrosotryptophan (NANT) and N-nitrosomelatonin (NOMela) as model compounds, we have studied their reaction with catechol and catecholamines such as epinephrine and dopamine. In these reactions, NANT was quantitatively converted to N-acetyltryptophan (NAT), and nitric oxide was identified as a volatile product. During this process, ortho-semiquinone-type radical anions deriving from catechol and dopamine, were detected by ESR spectrometry. The catechol radical concentration was about eight times higher under normoxia than under hypoxia and a similar relationship was found for the decay rates of NANT under these conditions. An epinephrine-derived oxidation product, namely adrenochrome, but not a catechol-derived one, was identified. These observations strongly indicate that N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives transfer their nitroso-function to an oxygen atom of the catecholamines, and that the so-formed intermediary aryl nitrite may decompose homolytically with release of nitric oxide, in addition to a competing hydrolysis reaction to yield nitrite and the corresponding catechol. These conclusions were supported by quantum chemical calculations performed at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. Since nitric oxide is non-enzymatically released from N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives on reaction with catecholamines, there might be a possibility for the development of epinephrine-antagonizing drugs in illnesses like hypertension and pheochromocytoma.     

Ion radicals. 40. Formation of 10-phenylphenothiazine 5-oxide and Nitro-10-phenylphenolhiazirie 5-oxides by reaction of 10-phenylphcnolhiazine cation radical perchlorate with nitrite ion

The reaction of 10-phenylphenolhiazine cation radical ( 1 ) with nitrite ion leads not only to 10-phenylphenothiazine 5-oxide ( 2 ) but also to 3-nitro-10-phenylphenothiazinc 5,5-dioxide ( 4 ), and two dinitro-10-phenylphenolhia/.ine 5-oxidcs ( 5 and 6 ). The products ( 3-6 ) appear to he formed from the nitration of 2 by nitrogen dioxide, the nitrogen dioxide arising from the reaction of nitric oxide (formed along with 2 when 1 reacts with nitrite anion) and oxygen.     

Photochemical generation of nitric oxide from 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene

Photolabile 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene (6-nitroBaP) released nitric oxide (NO) under visible-light irradiation. The generation of NO and the concomitant formation of the 6-oxyBaP radical were confirmed by ESR. BaP quinones were also detected as further oxidized products of the 6-oxyBaP radical. No such photodegradation was observed with other nitrated BaPs, such as 1-nitroBaP and 3-nitroBaP. DNA-strand breakage, caused by photoexcited 6-nitroBaP, was closely related to its NO-releasing activity. MO calculations of nitrated BaP suggest that the perpendicular conformation of the nitro substituent to the aromatic ring is important for the release of NO with light. These findings may be useful for the development of a new type of NO donor.     

Dediazoniation of arenediazonium salts with trivalent-phosphorus compounds. Tool for examination of the reactivity of phosphorus-centered radicals

Trialkyl phosphites ( 1 ), dialkyl phenylphosphinites ( 2 ), and alkyl diphenylphosphonites ( 3 ) as well as 2-phenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholan ( 4b ) and 2-phenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan ( 4b ) give rise to dediazoniation of arenediazonium salt ( 5 ) in an alcoholic solvent under an argon atmosphere at 20°C. The reaction proceeds via a radical-chain mechanism initiated by single-electron transfer (SET) from the trivalent-phosphorus compounds to 5 , as a result of which, an aryl radical Ar⋅ and a cation radical 15 are generated from the former and the latter, respectively. The aryl radical Ar⋅ participates in this chain process abstracting a hydrogen from the solvent alcohol, yielding the corresponding arene ArH. The cation radical 15 undergoes both an ionic reaction with the solvent alcohol and a radical coupling with Ar⋅, giving the phosphoranyl radical 16 and the phosphonium ion 17 , respectively, as intermediates. The phosphoranyl intermediate 16 decomposes through either the SET process to 5 or by β-scission, yielding the oxidation product (phosphate, phosphonate, or phosphinate from 1 , 2 , or 3 , respectively, or phosphonates from 4 ). The phosphonium intermediate 17 affords the arylated product (phosphonate, phosphinate, or phosphine oxide from 1 , 2 , 3 , respectively, or the phosphinate from 4 ). Among the trivalent-phosphorus compounds tested, 1 gives the arylated product in the highest yield. This observation, together with the literature data of ESR for structurally related phosphoranyl radicals, indicates that the radical coupling of 15 with Ar⋅ is facilitated by the high spin density on its central phosphorus atom.     

Photoinduced release of nitroxyl and nitric oxide from diazeniumdiolates

Aqueous photochemistry of diazen-1-ium-1,2,2-triolate (Angeli's anion) and (Z)-1[N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-(3-aminopropyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DPTA NONOate) has been investigated by laser kinetic spectroscopy. In neutral aqueous solutions, 266 nm photolysis of these diazeniumdiolates generates a unique spectrum of primary products including the ground-state triplet (3NO-) and singlet (1HNO) nitroxyl species and nitric oxide (NO*). Formation of these spectrophotometrically invisible products is revealed and quantitatively assayed by analyzing a complex set of their cross-reactions leading to the formation of colored intermediates, the N2O2*- radical and N3O3- anion. The experimental design employed takes advantage of the extremely slow spin-forbidden protic equilibration between 3NO- and 1HNO and the vast difference in their reactivity toward NO*. To account for the kinetic data, a novel combination reaction, 3NO-+1HNO, is introduced, and its rate constant of 6.6x10(9) M-1 s-1 is measured by competition with the reduction of methyl viologen by 3NO-. The latter reaction occurring with 2.1x10(9) M-1 s-1 rate constant and leading to the stable, colored methyl viologen radical cation is useful for detection of 3NO-. The distributions of the primary photolysis products (Angeli's anion: 22% 3NO-, 58% 1HNO, and 20% NO*; DPTA NONOate: 3% 3NO-, 12% 1HNO, and 85% NO*) show that neither diazeniumdiolate is a highly selective photochemical generator of nitroxyl species or nitric oxide, although the selectivity of DPTA NONOate for NO* generation is clearly greater.     

Novel phosphorylated calixarenes for the recognition of f-elements

The binding properties of three series of phosphorylated calixarene derivatives bearing phosphine oxide or phosphonate groups either at the wide or the narrow rims have been investigated towards some representative lanthanide and actinide ions using several approaches: (i) liquid–liquid extraction of europium, americium, thorium and uranyl ions from nitric acid solutions into the two diluents m-nitrobenzotrifluoride (m-NBTF) or dichloromethane; (ii) complexation in single media (methanol and acetonitrile) followed by UV-spectrophotometric and isoperibolic (micro)calorimetric titrations (ITC). The latter technique was found to be very useful for the determination of the stoichiometries of the complexes formed, in particular when the complexation did not induce significant spectral changes. It also provided a full thermodynamic characterization of these new systems. The influence of some structural features of the ligands as the nature of the substituents and the condensation degree of the calixarene moiety, on the distribution coefficients and on the complexation thermodynamic parameters has been established.     

Calculation of the absolute thermodynamic properties of association of host-guest systems from the intermolecular potential of mean force

The authors report calculations of the intermolecular potential of mean force (PMF) in the case of the host-guest interaction. The host-guest system is defined by a water soluble calixarene and a cation. With an organic cation such as the tetramethylammonium cation, the calixarene forms an insertion complex, whereas with the Lanthane cation, the supramolecular assembly is an outer-sphere complex. The authors apply a modified free energy perturbation method and the force constraint technique to establish the PMF profiles as a function of the separation distance between the host and guest. They use the PMF profile for the calculation of the absolute thermodynamic properties of association that they compare to the experimental values previously determined. They finish by giving some structural features of the insertion and outer-sphere complexes at the Gibbs free energy minimum.     

Isolation and characterization of phenyl viologen as a radical cation and neutral molecule

The chemical synthesis, isolation, and characterization of phenyl viologen (PV) as a dication, radical cation, and neutral species are described. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of PV(2+)2Cl(-.)2H2O and PV(.+)PF(6)(-).pyridine reveals the expected differences in bond lengths and also a structural change from two coplanar central rings in PV(.+) to a twist of 36 degrees between the two central rings in PV(2+). The phenyl viologen radical cation exhibits behavior characteristic of many radical cations, including weak pi-dimerization in the solid state and reversible pi-dimerization in solution. Electrical conductivity measurements of neutral phenyl viologen, the first such measurements of a neutral viologen, reveal that it is a significantly better conductor than the radical cation. Differences in geometric relaxation during charge transfer offer a possible explanation for the higher conductivity of the neutral viologen.     

Sequestering agents for uranyl chelation: new calixarene ligands

Synthesis of sulfocatecholamide (CAMS) and hydroxypyridinone (HOPO) calixarene ligands and determination of their binding abilities for the uranyl cation were described. Chelating properties were determined by UV spectrophotometry in aqueous media under various pH conditions and further studied by ¹H NMR analysis of the resonance signals of both aromatics' protons of the chelating groups. Each ligand shows a more or less pronounced affinity for uranium. HOPO calixarenes exhibit significant affinity towards uranyl ion at acidic and neutral pH while CAMS calixarene is more efficient at basic pH.     

Stabilization and isomerization of radical cations generated by fast electron irradiation of unsaturated organic molecules in a solid argon matrix

Matrix isolation EPR spectroscopy was used to study the fate of “hot” unsaturated radical cations produced by fast electron irradiation in solid argon. It was found that the radical cations of cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene and ethyl vinyl ether resulting from highly exothermic hole transfer (excess energy>6 eV) underwent effective relaxation in an argon matrix. 1-Butene radical cation exhibits isomerization to cis-2-butene radical cation. The role of molecular structure of organic radical cations in excess energy relaxation is discussed.     

Lower-RIM Polyphosphorylated Calix[4]arenes. Their Use as Extracting Agents for Thorium (IV) and Europium (III) Ions

The extraction of thorium (IV) and europium (III) ions from aqueous nitrate media (1 M nitric acid and sodium nitrate) using six p-tert -butylcalix[4]arene derivatives bearing phosphine oxide units (--CH 2 P(O)Ph 2 ) anchored at the lower rim has been investigated at 25°;C. All ligands display higher extracting properties toward thorium than europium ions. The number and position on the lower rim of the ligating groups play a crucial role in the extraction process, the highest extraction percentages being in each case achieved with the tetra-phosphorylated calixarene. In the presence of sodium nitrate the extraction percentages are considerably higher than those obtained in the presence of nitric acid.     

Methodological aspects about in vitro evaluation of antioxidant properties

Several of the most commonly used methods for in vitro determination of antioxidant capacity are reviewed in the present paper. The chemical principles of methods based either on biological oxidants (peroxyl radical, superoxide radical anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, hypochlorous acid, singlet oxygen, nitric oxide radical, and peroxynitrite) or on non-biological assays (scavenging of 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) radical cation (TEAC assay), scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH assay), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP assay), Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity (FC assay), electrochemical total reducing capacity) are outlined and critically discussed. The scope of application, the advantages and shortcomings of each method are also highlighted.     

Swallow-tailed perylene derivative: a new tool for fluorescent imaging of lipid hydroperoxides

A swallow-tailed perylene derivative including a triphenylphosphine moiety was synthesized and applied to the detection and the live-cell imaging of lipid hydroperoxides. The novel probe, named Spy-LHP, reacted rapidly and quantitatively with lipid hydroperoxides to form the corresponding oxide, Spy-LHPOx, which emits extremely strong fluorescence (Phi approximately 1) in the visible range (lambda(em) = 535 nm, 574 nm). Spy-LHP was highly selective for lipid hydroperoxides, and the addition of other reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydrogen peroxides, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and alkylperoxyl radical, caused no significant increase in the fluorescence intensity. The probe exhibited good localization to cellular membranes and was successfully applied to the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) imaging of lipid hydroperoxides in live J774A.1 cells, in which lipid peroxidation was proceeded by the stimulation of 2,2-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH). These findings establish Spy-LHP as a promising new tool for investigating the physiology of lipid hydroperoxides.