Fragmentation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-radical cations of arginine-containing peptides

Fragmentation pathways of peptide radical cations, M^+·, with well-defined initial location of the radical site were explored using collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments. Peptide radical cations were produced by gas-phase fragmentation of Co^III(salen)-peptide complexes [salen=N,N′-ethylenebis (salicylideneiminato)]. Subsequent hydrogen abstraction from the β-carbon of the side-chain followed by C_α-C_β bond cleavage results in the loss of a neutral side chain and formation of an α-radical cation with the radical site localized on the α-carbon of the backbone. Similar CID spectra dominated by radical-driven dissociation products were obtained for a number of arginine-containing α-radicals, suggesting that for these systems radical migration precedes fragmentation. In contrast, proton-driven fragmentation dominates CID spectra of α-radicals produced via the loss of the arginine side chain. Radical-driven fragmentation of large M^+· peptide radical cations is dominated by side-chain losses, formation of even-electron a-ions and odd-electron x-ions resulting from C_α-C bond cleavages, formation of odd-electron z-ions, and loss of the N-terminal residue. In contrast, charge-driven fragmentation produces even-electron y-ions and odd-electron b-ions.     

Mechanistic Investigation of Phosphate Ester Bond Cleavages of Glycylphosphoserinyltryptophan Radical Cations under Low-Energy Collision-Induced Dissociation

Under the conditions of low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID), the canonical glycylphosphoserinyltryptophan radical cation having its radical located on the side chain of the tryptophan residue ([G _p SW]^?+) fragments differently from its tautomer with the radical initially generated on the α-carbon atom of the glycine residue ([G^? _p SW]⁺). The dissociation of [G^? _p SW]⁺ is dominated by the neutral loss of H₃PO₄ (98 Da), with backbone cleavage forming the [b₂ – H]^?+/y₁ ⁺ pair as the minor products. In contrast, for [G _p SW]^?+, competitive cleavages along the peptide backbone, such as the formation of [G _p SW – CO₂]^?+ and the [c₂?+?2H]⁺/[z₁ – H]^?+ pair, significantly suppress the loss of neutral H₃PO₄. In this study, we used density functional theory (DFT) to examine the mechanisms for the tautomerizations of [G^? _p SW]⁺ and [G _p SW]^?+ and their dissociation pathways. Our results suggest that the dissociation reactions of these two peptide radical cations are more efficient than their tautomerizations, as supported by Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM) modeling. We also propose that the loss of H₃PO₄ from both of these two radical cationic tautomers is preferentially charge-driven, similar to the analogous dissociations of even-electron protonated peptides. The distonic radical cationic character of [G^? _p SW]⁺ results in its charge being more mobile, thereby favoring charge-driven loss of H₃PO₄; in contrast, radical-driven pathways are more competitive during the CID of [G _p SW]^?+.

Mobile Proton Triggered Radical Fragmentation of Nitroarginine Containing Peptides

Protonated nitroarginine, [R^NO2 + H]⁺, which contains the nitroguanidine ‘explosophore,’ undergoes homolytic N – N nitro-imine bond cleavage to expel NO₂ ^? and form a radical cation of arginine in high yield (100 % relative abundance) upon low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). Other ionization states of nitroarginine, including [R^NO2 - H]^–, and a fixed-charge derivative of nitroarginine do not expel NO₂ ^? (<1 %), but instead dissociate via heterolytic bond cleavage with abundant losses of small molecules (N₂O and H₂N₂O₂) from the nitroguanidine group. The effects of proton mobility on the CID reactions of nitroarginine containing peptides was investigated for peptide derivatives of leucine enkephalin, including XYGGFLR^NO2, X = D, G, K, and R, by examining the different protonation states: [M – H]^–; [M + H]⁺; and [M + 2H]²⁺. For [M + H]⁺ containing the less basic N-terminal residues (X = D, G) and all [M + 2H]²⁺, mobile proton fragmentation reactions that result in peptide sequence ions dominate. In contrast, for peptides containing the basic N-terminal residues (R and K), the CID spectra of both the [M – H]^– and [M + H]⁺ are dominated by the losses of small even-electron neutrals from the nitroarginine side-chain. The fraction of nitroguanidine directed fragmentation of the nitroarginine side chain that results in bond homolysis to form [XYGGFLR]^+? by expulsion of NO₂ ^? increases by more than 10 times as the protonation state changes from [M – H]^– (<10 %) to [M + 2H]²⁺ (ca. 90 %) and by about four times as the acidity of the [M + H]⁺ N-terminal residue increases from R (19.0 %) to D (76.5 %). These results indicate that protonated peptides containing nitroarginine can undergo non-canonical mobile proton triggered radical fragmentation.

Nitrido-Azido-Komplexe des Molybdän(VI): Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [MoN(N3)2(terpy)]+ [MoN(N3)4]−·MoN(N3)3 (terpy)

Nitrido-Azido-Complexes of Molybdenum(VI). Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [MoN(N₃)₂(terpy)]⁺[MoN(N₃)₄] ^? · MoN(N₃)₃(terpy) (CH₃)₃SiN₃ reacts with Mo(CO)₃(terpy) in CH₃CN yielding red crystals of [MoN(N₃)₂(terpy)]⁺[MoN(N₃)₄] ^?· MoN(N₃)₃(terpy) (space group P1 , a = 1039.3 pm, b = 1384.6 pm, c = 1685.4 pm, α = 112.4°, β = 108.1°, γ = 88.3°, Z = 2, R = 0.035 for 4376 independent reflections). The structure consists of three different mononuclear complexes. In the neutral complex MoN(N₃)₃(terpy) Mo exhibits the coordination number 7 in form of a distorted pentagonal bipyramid, with the terpyridine ligand and two azido groups in the equatorial plane. The axial positions are occupied by the nitrido ligand and another azido group. The triply bonded nitrido nitrogen atom (Mo1? N1 = 165.6 pm) causes a strong trans effect resulting in a long distance of 245.7 pm to N_α of the trans bonded azido group. The cationic complex [MoN(N₃)₂(terpy)]⁺ derives from MoN(N₃)₃-(terpy) by abstraction of the trans bonded azido group. For the molybdenum atom remains the coordination number 6 in form of the rarely found pentagonal pyramid. In the anion [MoN(N₃)₄]^? the molybdenum atom exhibits the coordination number 5 in form of a tetragonal pyramid with the nitrido ligand in the apex. The square basic plane is formed by the N_α atoms of the azido groups.     

Specific Cα-C Bond Cleavage of β-Carbon-Centered Radical Peptides Produced by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Radical-driven dissociation (RDD) of hydrogen-deficient peptide ions [M???H?+?H]^·+ has been examined using matrix-assisted laser dissociation/ionization in-source decay mass spectrometry (MALDI-ISD MS) with the hydrogen-abstracting matrices 4-nitro-1-naphthol (4,1-NNL) and 5-nitrosalicylic acid (5-NSA). The preferential fragment ions observed in the ISD spectra include N-terminal [a]?+?ions and C-terminal [x]⁺, [y?+?2]⁺, and [w]⁺ ions which imply that β-carbon (Cβ)-centered radical peptide ions [M???Hβ?+?H]^·+ are predominantly produced in MALDI conditions. RDD reactions from the peptide ions [M???Hβ?+?H]^·+ successfully explains the fact that both [a]⁺ and [x]⁺ ions arising from cleavage at the Cα-C bond of the backbone of Gly-Xxx residues are missing from the ISD spectra. Furthermore, the formation of [a]⁺ ions originating from the cleavage of Cα-C bond of deuterated Ala(d3)-Xxx residues indicates that the [a]⁺ ions are produced from the peptide ions [M???Hβ?+?H]^·+ generated by deuteron-abstraction from Ala(d3) residues. It is suggested that from the standpoint of hydrogen abstraction via direct interactions between the nitro group of matrix and hydrogen of peptides, the generation of the peptide radical ions [M???Hβ?+?H]^·+ is more favorable than that of the α-carbon (Cα)-centered radical ions [M???Hα?+?H]^·+ and the amide nitrogen-centered radical ions [M???H_N?+?H]^·+, while ab initio calculations indicate that the formation of [M???Hα?+?H]^·+ is energetically most favorable.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Novel C<Subscript>β</Subscript>–C<Subscript>γ</Subscript> Bond Cleavages of Tryptophan-Containing Peptide Radical Cations

In this study, we observed unprecedented cleavages of the C_β–C_γ bonds of tryptophan residue side chains in a series of hydrogen-deficient tryptophan-containing peptide radical cations (M^•+) during low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). We used CID experiments and theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the mechanism of this bond cleavage, which forms [M – 116]⁺ ions. The formation of an α-carbon radical intermediate at the tryptophan residue for the subsequent C_β–C_γ bond cleavage is analogous to that occurring at leucine residues, producing the same product ions; this hypothesis was supported by the identical product ion spectra of [LGGGH – 43]⁺ and [WGGGH – 116]⁺, obtained from the CID of [LGGGH]^•+ and [WGGGH]^•+, respectively. Elimination of the neutral 116-Da radical requires inevitable dehydrogenation of the indole nitrogen atom, leaving the radical centered formally on the indole nitrogen atom ([Ind]^•-2), in agreement with the CID data for [WGGGH]^•+ and [W_1-CH3GGGH]^•+; replacing the tryptophan residue with a 1-methyltryptophan residue results in a change of the base peak from that arising from a neutral radical loss (116 Da) to that arising from a molecule loss (131 Da), both originating from C_β–C_γ bond cleavage. Hydrogen atom transfer or proton transfer to the γ-carbon atom of the tryptophan residue weakens the C_β–C_γ bond and, therefore, decreases the dissociation energy barrier dramatically.     

CH2 + transfer to pyridine nucleophiles: a means of producing α-distonic ions

The distonic radical cation C₅H₅N⁺?^·CH₂ can be generated by the reactions of neutral pyridine with the radical cations of cyclopropane, ethylene oxide, and ketene, as well as with the [C₃H₆]⁺ ion from fragmentation of tetrahydrofuran. The distonic product ion can be distinguished from isomeric methylpyridine radical cations because the former gives characteristic [M?CH₂]⁺, [M ? CH₂NCH]⁺, and a doubly charged ion, all of which are produced on collisional activation. Furthermore, the distonic species completely transfers CH₂ ⁺ to more nucleophilic, substituted pyridines. These properties are all consistent with the assigned distonic structure. Another distonic isomer, the (3-methylene) pyridinium ion, can be distinguished from the (1-methylene)pyridinium ion on the basis of their different fragmentation behaviors. The latter ion exhibits higher stability (lower reactivity) than the prototypal [·CH₂NH₃ ⁺], making available a distonic species whose bimolecular reactivity can be readily investigated.     

Metal-mediated formation of gas-phase amino acid radical cations

The results from an investigation of the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the ternary complexes [Cu(II)(terpy)(AA)](2+) are presented (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; AA = one of the twenty common amino acids). These complexes show a rich gas-phase chemistry, which depends on the identity of the amino acid. For the histidine-, lysine- and tryptophan-containing complexes, oxidative dissociation of the amino acid is observed, yielding the amino acid radical cation. The results of further mass selection and CID of these amino acid radical cations are presented. The CID of the series [Fe(III)(salen)(AA)](+) (where salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneaminato)) is also examined. These complexes undergo loss of the neutral amino acid in all cases, although the radical cation of arginine is also produced and its subsequent fragmentation examined. B3-LYP/6-31G(d) computations were carried out to test aspects of the proposed fragmentation mechanism of the histidine and arginine radical cations.     

Metallophilic interactions in iodido(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine)platinum(II) diiodidoaurate(I)

In the title compound, [PtI(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)][AuI₂], the [PtI(terpy)]⁺ cations (terpy is 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine) stack in pairs about inversion centers through Pt...Pt interactions of 3.5279 (5) Å. The [AuI₂]⁻ anions also exhibit pairwise stacking, with Au...I distances of 3.7713 (5) Å. The [PtI(terpy)]⁺ cations and [AuI₂]⁻ anions aggregate forming infinite arrays of stacked ...({[PtI(terpy)]⁺...[PtI(terpy)]⁺}...{[AuI₂]⁻...[AuI₂]⁻})... units.     

Detection of Radical Adducts with Small Molecular Weights by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization with Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry

As an alternative method, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with Fourier transform mass spectrometry （MALDI-FTMS） has been successfully used to detect and identify free radical adducts with small molecular weights of hydroxyl and 2-cyano-2-propyl radicals trapped with 5,5-dimethylpyrroline N-oxide （DMPO）. The detection and identification by MS/MS experiments using sustained offresonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation （SORI-CID） of [（DMPO＋·OH-·H）＋H^＋] （m/z 130.0868） and [DMPO＋2 ·CH（CH3）2CN＋H^＋] （m/z 250.1917） have demonstrated that MALDI-FTMS could be an effective method for detection and identification of free radical adducts. Other radical adducts have been also detected and identified. The approach of MALDI-FTMS is simple, fast, and sensitive which has potential for high-throughput analysis.     

Gas-Phase Fragmentation of [M + nH + OH]<Superscript>n•+</Superscript> Ions Formed from Peptides Containing Intra-Molecular Disulfide Bonds

In this study, we systematically investigated gas-phase fragmentation behavior of [M + nH + OH]^n•+ ions formed from peptides containing intra-molecular disulfide bond. Backbone fragmentation and radical initiated neutral losses were observed as the two competing processes upon low energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). Their relative contribution was found to be affected by the charge state (n) of [M + nH + OH]^n•+ ions and the means for activation, i.e., beam-type CID or ion trap CID. Radical initiated neutral losses were promoted in ion-trap CID and for lower charge states where mobile protons were limited. Beam-type CID and dissociation of higher charge states of [M + nH + OH]^n•+ ions generally gave abundant backbone fragmentation, which was highly desirable for characterizing peptides containing disulfide bonds. The amount of sequence information obtained from CID of [M + nH + OH]^n•+ ions was compared with that from CID of disulfide bond reduced peptides. For the 11 peptides studied herein, similar extent of sequence information was obtained from these two methods.     

Structure and Reactivity of the Distonic and Aromatic Radical Cations of Tryptophan

In this work, we regiospecifically generate and compare the gas-phase properties of two isomeric forms of tryptophan radical cations—a distonic indolyl N-radical (H₃N⁺ - TrpN^?) and a canonical aromatic π (Trp^?+) radical cation. The distonic radical cation was generated by nitrosylating the indole nitrogen of tryptophan in solution followed by collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the resulting protonated N-nitroso tryptophan. The π-radical cation was produced via CID of the ternary [Cu^II(terpy)(Trp)] ^?2+ complex. CID spectra of the two isomeric species were found to be very different, suggesting no interconversion between the isomers. In gas-phase ion-molecule reactions, the distonic radical cation was unreactive towards n-propylsulfide, whereas the π radical cation reacted by hydrogen atom abstraction. DFT calculations revealed that the distonic indolyl radical cation is about 82 kJ/mol higher in energy than the π radical cation of tryptophan. The low reactivity of the distonic nitrogen radical cation was explained by spin delocalization of the radical over the aromatic ring and the remote, localized charge (at the amino nitrogen). The lack of interconversion between the isomers under both trapping and CID conditions was explained by the high rearrangement barrier of ca.137 kJ/mol. Finally, the two isomers were characterized by infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy in the ~1000–1800 cm^–1 region. It was found that some of the main experimental IR features overlap between the two species, making their distinction by IRMPD spectroscopy in this region problematic. In addition, DFT theoretical calculations showed that the IR spectra are strongly conformation-dependent.      

The ionized methylene transfer from the distonic radical cation +CH2-O-CH2 to heterocyclic compounds. A pentaquadrupole mass spectrometric study

Ion-molecule reactions of the mass-selected distonic radical cation ⁺CH₂-O-CH ₂ ^· (1) with several heterocyclic compounds have been investigated by multiple stage mass spectro- metric experiments performed in a pentaquadrupole mass spectrometer. Reactions with pyridine, 2-, 3-, and 4-ethyl, 2-methoxy, and 2-n-propyl pyridine occur mainly by transfer of CH ₂ ^+· to the nitrogen, which yields distonic N-methylene-pyridinium radical cations. The MS³ spectra of these products display very characteristic collision-induced dissociation chemistry, which is greatly affected by the position of the substituent in the pyridine ring. Ortho isomers undergo a δ-cleavage cyclization process induced by the free-radical character of the N-methylene group that yields bicyclic pyridinium cations. On the other hand, extensive CH ₂ ^+· transfer followed by rapid hydrogen atom loss, that is, a net CH⁺ transfer, occurs not to the heteroatoms, but to the aromatic ring of furan, thiophene, pyrrole, and N-methyl pyrrole. The reaction proceeds through five- to six-membered ring expansion, which yields the pyrilium, thiapyrilium, N-protonated, and N-methylated pyridine cations, respectively, as indicated by MS³ scans. Ion 1 fails to transfer CH ₂ ^+· to tetrahydrofuran, whereas a new α-distonic sulfur ion is formed in reactions with tetrahydrothiophene. Unstable N-methylene distonic ions, likely formed by transfer of CH ₂ ^+· to the nitrogen of piperidine and pyrrolidine, undergo rapid fragmentation by loss of the α-NH hydrogen to yield closed-shell immonium cations. The most thermodynamically favorable products are formed in these reactions, as estimated by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G(d,p)//6-31G(d,p) + ZPE level of theory.     

Nongeneral Character of the Resonance Parameters Σ<Stack><Subscript>R</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> of Silicon-, Germanium-, and Tin-Containing Substituents in Radical Cations

The resonance parameters σ _R ⁺ of substituents Y in radical cations YD^+· [where D is a π- or n-type center, and Y = MMe₃, CH₂MMe₃ (M = Si, Ge, Sn), C(SiMe₃)₃] depend on the nature of both Y and D. Using radical cations YD^+· (Y = CH₂SiMe₃, SnMe₃) as examples, it was found that the two conjugation parameters, constants σ _R ⁺ of substituents Y and perturbation energy calculated by the modified molecular orbital perturbation method, are linearly related to each other. The energies of donor and acceptor components of the overall resonance effect of CH₂SiMe₃ and SnMe₃ with respect to radical cation centers D^+· were estimated for the first time. The donor energy constituent in YD^+· is considerably greater than in neutral DY molecules.     

ESR study of the photo-induced decomposition of polypropylene in the presence of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine

The mechanism of uv (λ > 325 nm) photodegradation of polypropylene (PP) containing N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (T₄MPD) has been investigated by means of ESR spectroscopy. The observed spectra after uv irradiation of both isotactic-PP (IPP) and stereoblock-PP (SPP) samples in vacuum at 77 K consisted principally of a broad singlet which was assigned to a T₄MPD cation radical (T₄MPD^+·). On the other hand, the spectrum observed after irradiation of an atactic polypropylene (APP) sample at 77 K in vacuum was resolved into several components which decayed almost up to ca. 263 K to give rise to the broad singlet of T₄MPD^+·. One component was a sharp quartet which was assigned to a methyl radical, ·CH₃·. The other component, a singlet, was attributed to a trapped electron, e_t^?.By comparison of the ESR spectrum of deuterated T₄MPD with that of the normal compound it was found that 60 ～ 70% of the methyl radicals arose from the added T₄MPD due to β-scission, which also formed the N,N,N′-trimethyl-p-phenylenediamine radical, T₃MPD·. The T₃MPD· radical presumably captures an electron at lower temperatures to become a carbanion, T₃MPD^?, which releases the electron to reproduce the T₃MPD· radical at elevated temperatures. This production of the radical T₃MPD· due to the liberation of an electron provides an explanation for the observed increase in intensity of the decay curve in the temperature range from ? 168 K to 185 K. The remaining fraction, 30 ～ 40%, of the total methyl radicals was produced from the PP matrix by an energy transfer from the excited T₄MPD¹ to the PP matrix. The broad singlet which appeared in the temperature range near 195 K was attributed to an acyl radical ～CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂?O from the observed g-value. By photoillumination of this sample this broad singlet was converted reversibly into the quartet which was assigned to the radical ～CH₂CH(CH₂·)CH₂CHO.     

On the nature of the phenylazo group

Three Hammett substituent constants for the p-phenylazo group were determined. The ionization of p-phenylazobenzoic acid in 50% ethanol gives a σ_p value of 0·26. The NBS bromination of p-phenylazotoluene vs toluene in benzene at 80° gives a σ⁺ value of ?0·15. The NBS bromination of 4-phenylazo-3-cyanotoluene vs m-tolunitrile in benzene at 80° give a σ^. value of 0·28. It is concluded that the phenylazo group is a ?I substituent and either a +M or ?M substituent depending on the reaction being studied. This makes the phenylazo group an activator in nucleophilic, electrophilic and free radical reactions.     

Thermospray mass spectrometry of N-methylcarbamates

The thermospray mass spectrometry (TSP/MS) of five N-methylcarbamates is presented. This is the first time that ions other than [M + H]⁺ and [M + NH₄]⁺ have been reported using positive TSP/MS. Protonation of ROCONHCH₃ yields the [CH₃NH₂CO]^+· ion, with formation of the ion–molecule adduct [ROCONHCH₃ · CH₃NH₂CO]^+· through elimination of CO^+· from [CH₃NH₂CO]^+·, and the adduct [M + 75]^+·, [ROCONHCH₃ · OCONH₂CH₃]^+·, is also obtained.     

Multiple stage pentaquadrupole mass spectrometry for generation and characterization of gas-phase ionic species. The case of the PyC2H 5 +· isomers

Eleven isomers with the PyC₂H ₅ ^+· composition, which include three conventional (1–3) and eight distonic radical cations (4–11), have been generated and in most cases successfully characterized in the gas phase via tandem-in-space multiple-stage pentaquadrupole MS² and MS³ experiments. The three conventional radical cations, that is, the ionized ethylpyridines C₂H₅-C₅H₄N^+· (1–3), were generated via direct 70-eV electron ionization of the neutrals, whereas sequences of chemical ionization and collision-induced dissociation (CID) or mass-selected ion-molecule reactions were used to generate the distonic ions H₂C^·?C₅H₄N⁺?CH₃ (4–6), CH₃?C₅H₄N⁺?CH ₂ ^· (7–9), C₅H₅N⁺?CH₂CH ₂ ^· (10), and C₅H₅N⁺?CH^·?CH₃ (11). Unique features of the low-energy (15-eV) CID and ion-molecule reaction chemistry with the diradical oxygen molecule of the isomers were used for their structural characterization. All the ion-molecule reaction products of a mass-selected ion, each associated with its corresponding CID fragments, were collected in a single three-dimensional mass spectrum. Ab initio calculations at the ROMP2/6–31G(d, p)//6–31G(d, p)+ZPE level of theory were performed to estimate the energetics involved in interconversions within the PyC₂H₅ ^+· system, which provided theoretical support for facile 4?7 interconversion evidenced in both CID and ion-molecule reaction experiments. The ab initio spin densities for the a-distonic ions 4–9 and 11 were found to be largely on the methylene or methyne formal radical sites, which thus ruled out substantial odd-spin derealization throughout the neighboring pyridine ring. However, only 8 and 9 (and 10) react extensively with oxygen by radical coupling, hence high spin densities on the radical site of the distonic ions do not necessarily lead to radical coupling reaction with oxygen. The very typical “spatially separated” ab initio charge and spin densities of 4–11 were used to classify them as distonic ions, whereas 1–3 show, as expected, “localized” electronic structures characteristic of conventional radical ions.     

ESR studies of photosensitized degradation of poly(L‐lactic acid) via photoionization of dopant

The photosensitized degradation of poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLA) via an anionic reaction process was studied using spectrophotometry, electron spin resonance (ESR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. PLA film doped with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (TMPD) was irradiated at 77 K using UV light (λ_c = 356 nm) by which the PLA matrix itself cannot be directly excited. After photoirradiation, a new broad absorption band appeared over the original spectrum due to TMPD⁺ ·, which was produced by two‐photon ionization. The ESR spectrum of the irradiated sample indicated the presence of the TMPD⁺ · radical and main‐chain scission radical of PLA. During the thermal annealing at 0 °C, the latter radical changed to another radical species by dehydrogenation of the alpha hydrogen of the PLA main chain. TMPD⁺ · was extremely stable at room temperature for 7 d. However, by thermal annealing at 40 °C, all the radicals decayed due to the enhanced molecular motions near T_g of PLA (58.7 °C). Spectral simulation for the obtained ESR spectra revealed the relative amounts of four radicals: TMPD⁺ ·, a main‐chain scission radical, a main‐chain tertiary radical, and an unknown radical. The last one was tentatively assigned to the PLA radical anion because of its short decay time. GPC measurements clearly indicated a decrease in the molecular weight of PLA after irradiation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 706–714, 2001     

Sampling of aryldiazonium, anilino, and aryl radicals by membrane introduction mass spectrometry: Thermolysis of aromatic diazoamino compounds

Membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) is used to sample free radicals generated by thermolysis at atmospheric pressure. This is done by heating the solid sample in a custom-made probe that is fitted with a silicone membrane to allow selective and rapid introduction of the pyrolysates into the ion source of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Phenyldiazonium radical (C₆H₅N ₂ ^· ) and some of its ring-substituted analogs, the methoxy anilino radical CH₃OC₆H₄NH^·, and aryl radicals are generated by gas phase thermolysis of symmetrical aryl diazoamino compounds (ArNH-N₂Ar). The radicals are identified by measurement of their ionization energies (IE) using threshold ionization efficiency data. A linear correlation between the ionization energy of the phenyldiazonium radicals and their Brown σ⁺ values is observed, and this confirms the formation of these species and validates the applicability of MIMS in sampling these radicals. The ionization energies of the aryldiazonium radicals are estimated as IE (p-CH₃O-C₆H₄N ₂ ^· ), 6.74 ± 0.2 eV; IE (p-CH₃-C₆H₄N ₂ ^· ), 7.72 ± 0.2 eV; IE (C₆H₅N ₂ ^· ), 7.89 ± 0.2 eV; IE (m-Cl-C₆H₄N ₂ ^· ), 7.91 ± 0.2 eV; IE (p-F-C₆H ₄ ^· N ₂ ^· ), 8.03 ± 0.2 eV; and IE (m-NO₂-C₆H₄N ₂ ^· ), 8.90 = 0.2 eV. The ionization energies of the aryl radicals are estimated as IE (p-CH₃O-C₆H ₄ ^· ), 7.33 ± 0.2 eV; IE (p-CH₃-C₆H ₄ ^· ), 8.31 ± 0.2 eV; IE (C₆H ₅ ^· ), 8.44 ± 0.2 eV; IE (m-Cl-C₆H ₄ ^· ), 8.50 ± 0.2 eV and IE (p-F-C₆H ₄ ^· ), 8.54 ± 0.2 eV. Also, the ionization energy of the p-methoxyanilino radical (p-CH₃O-C₆H₄NH^·) is estimated as 7.63 ± 0.2 eV.