ESR STUDIES OF CHLOROPHYLL ONE-ELECTRON PHOTOCHEMISTRY: KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF REVERSIBLE HYDROQUINONE OXIDATION IN SOLUTION*

Abstract— ESR studies have been made of the kinetics of semiquinone radical formation and disappearance resulting from the reversible photosensitization by chlorophyll of hydroquinone oxidation in a pyridine-water solvent. The rate of radical decay was found to be second order with respect to the radical concentration, with a rate constant of 6.7 × 10⁵ l./mole sec at -30°C and an activation energy of 6900 cal/mole. The rate of radical formation was recombination-limited and, through the use of β-carotene as a quencher, the rate constant was determined to be 8.81 × 10⁵ l./mole sec at -30°C. The effect of light intensity and hydroquinone concentration on the rate of semiquinone radical formation and on the steady state radical concentration was also investigated and possible mechanisms to explain the results are discussed.     

CHLOROPHYLL ONE-ELECTRON PHOTOCHEMISTRY: LIGHT-INDUCED ABSORBANCE CHANGES AND ESR SIGNALS FOR VARIOUS PORPHYRIN-QUINONE AND HYDROQUINONE SYSTEMS IN ALCOHOL SOLVENTS*

Abstract— Light-dark optical difference spectra of degassed ethanol or pyridine solutions of chlorophyll and benzoquinone or hydroquinone at temperatures above — 50°C show only the semiquinone absorbance band. Decay of the signals is second order, with a rate constant in agreement with earlier ESR results. Light-induced optical changes due to chlorophyll can be elicited by lowering the temperature of ethanol solutions of chlorophyll and benzoquinone to a region of high viscosity. Hydroquinone is not effective in producing these optical changes. Similar results are achieved at room temperature by using as solvent a degassed mixture of the alcohols: cyclohexanol, tert-butanol, and ethanol (CBE). Difference spectra show bleaching of the chlorophyll bands and increased absorbance in the intermediate wavelength region (460–580 nm). Decay kinetics are first order, while the rise is complicated (probably biphasic). ESR signals have no hyperfine structure and also decay by first order kinetics, at a rate which is faster than that of the optical changes. The ESR signals reach a steady state more rapidly than the optical signals, without biphasic kinetics. These results demonstrate that at least two species are generated. Addition of acid increases the amount of bleaching in CBE, while small amounts of base decrease it. Larger amounts of base cause chlorophyll bleaching to completely disappear and only the semiquinone anion is observed. Activation energies for the chlorophyll a-benzoquinone photoreaction in CBE are 10–14 kcal/mole. Lower potential quinones give lower activation energies. The rate constant for quenching of the triplet state of chlorophyll a by β-carotene in CBE is 7.5±0.5×10⁸ (M set)^-1. β-carotene also quenches photoproduct formation. The bimolecular rate constant for formation of the photoproduct with benzoquinone was calculated to be 7×10⁸ (Msec)^-1. The redox potential of the quinone affects both the magnitude of the chlorophyll absorbance changes and the rate of decay. The higher the potential, the larger the changes and the slower the decay. Other porphyrin systems show similar photoreactions only if they are chelated with a group II metal, such as Mg²⁺, Cd⁺², or Zn⁺². The results are interpreted in terms of the formation, by a triplet-sensitized one-electron transfer from solvent to quinone, of a chlorophyll-semiquinone complex which is stabilized via coordination with the chelated metal.     

CHLOROPHYLL-QUINONE PHOTOCHEMISTRY IN LIPOSOMES: MECHANISMS OF RADICAL FORMATION AND DECAY*

Abstract— Laser flash photolysis has been used to investigate the mechanism of formation and decay of the radical species generated by light-induced electron transfer from chlorophyll a (Chi) triplet to various quinones in egg phosphatidyl choline bilayer vesicles. Chlorophyll triplet quenching by quinone is controlled by diffusion occurring within the bilayer membrane (kq～ 10⁶M^?1 s^?1. as compared to ～ 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 in ethanol) and reflects bilayer viscosity. Radical formation via separation of the intermediate ion pair is also inhibited by increased bilayer viscosity. Cooperativity is observed in the radical formation process due to an enhancement of radical separation by electron transfer from semiquinone anion radical to a neighboring quinone molecule. Two modes of radical decay are observed, a rapid (t_1/2= 150μ) recombination between Chi and quinone radicals occurring within the bilayer and a much slower (t_1/2= 1–100 ms) recombination occurring across the bilayer-water interface. The latter is also cooperative, which accounts for a t_1/2 which is dependent upon quinone concentration. The slow decay is only observed with quinones which are not tightly anchored into the bilayer, and is probably the result of electron transfer from semiquinone anion radical formed within the bilayer to a quinone molecule residing at the bilayer-water interface. Direct evidence for such a process has been obtained from experiments in which both ubiquinone and benzoquinone are present simultaneously. With benzo-quinone, approx. 60% of the radical decay occurs via the slow mode. Triplet to radical conversion efficiencies in the bilayer systems are comparable to those obtained in fluid solution (～ 60%). However, radical recombination, at least for the slow decay mechanism, is considerably retarded.     

Organocobalt chelates as initiators of emulsion polymerization of styrene

The kinetics of decomposition of organocobalt chelates in the pH range of 2.2–7.0 has been studied. It has been shown that the rate constant of decomposition of the octyl chelate complex at 20°C changes from ～3 × 10^?3 to ～6 × 10^?6 s^?1 in the above pH range. The rate constants of decomposition of complexes with ethyl, octyl, and cetyl ligands, as estimated at 20°C and pH 8.3, are 1.69 × 10^?4, 1.39 × 10^?4, and 2.42 × 10^?5 s^?1, respectively. As evidenced by emission spectrometry measurements, ～100% of organocobalt chelates with ethyl and isopropyl ligands occur in the aqueous phase, while organocobalt chelates with octyl and cetyl ligands are partitioned between monomer and aqueous phases. The rates of initiation of the emulsion polymerization of styrene have been measured by the inhibited polymerization procedure. It has been demonstrated that among three tested compounds (diphenyl picryl hydrazyl, hydroquinone, and benzoquinone), benzoquinone has been found to be a suitable inhibitor for the polymerization under study. The rates of initiation of styrene polymerization at 30°C for organocobalts with ethyl, octyl, and cyclohexyl ligands are 1.0 × 10^?7, 1.04 × 10^?7, and 3.7 × 10^?6 mol/(l s), respectively. The rate constant of decomposition of the organocobalt complex with the octyl ligand at 30°C is 2.28 × 10^?5 s^?1, and the efficiency of initiation with this complex is 0.95.     

ESR studies on the formation of p-benzosemiquinone anions over manganese dioxide

The reaction between a hydroquinone aqueous solution and manganese dioxide has been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. A very stable p-benzosemiquinone anion is formed when an aqueous solution of hydroquinone is passed through a column of manganese dioxide. The kinetics for the reaction between hydroquinone and manganese dioxide follow the equation where A₀ is the initial concentration of hydroquinone, C is the concentration of p-benzosemiquinone anions, W is the amount of manganese dioxide, F is the feed rate of a hydroquinone aqueous solution, and k₁⁰ and k₂⁰ are constants; k₁⁰ = 3.1 × 10^?2 (cm³/g MnO₂· min), k₂⁰ = 3.2 (cm³/g MnO₂·min). A mechanism for the reaction is proposed such that Mn(IV) in manganese dioxide is reduced to Mn (II) with hydroquinone from which the semiquinone anion is formed via a neutral semiquinone. The formation of semiquinone anions from several substituted hydroquinones is also discussed.     

Flash photolysis of chloride complexes of Cu(II) in organic solvents

By means of flash photolysis and low-temperature spectrophotometry, the formation of a complex between a Cu(I) ion and a peroxy radical of the solvent has been detected in ethanol, isopropanol, and dimethylformamide. The peroxy radical is generated in a reaction of a solvent radical with a molecule of dissolved oxygen. The solvent radical appears as a result of photoreduction of chloride complexes of Cu(II). The radical complex has a band in the optical absorption spectrum with a maximum at 415–420 nm in ethanol and isopropanol. The rate of formation of this complex is determined mainly by the reaction of the radical of the matrix (R^.) with complexes of bivalent copper. The rate constant of this process in isopropanol at room temperature is (2–3)·10⁸ liters/ mole·sec. Disappearance of the radical complex Cu(I)...RO₂ ^. takes place in a reaction with complexes Cu²⁺ _solv and CuCl⁺ with a rate constant of 2.3·10⁷ liters/mole·sec at room temperature.Translated from Teoreticheskaya in iÉksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 39–44, January–February, 1986.     

Rate constants for the reaction of O(3P) atoms with CH2 = CHF,CH2 = CHCl,and CH2 = CHBr at 298 ± 2°K

Absolute rate constants for the reaction of O(³P) atoms with CH₂ = CHF, CH₂ = CHCl, and CH₂ = CHBr have been obtained at 298 ± 2°K using a modulation phase shift technique. The rate constants (k₂ × 10^?8 l./mole · sec) obtained are: CH₂ = CHF (1.61 ± 0.20), CH₂ = CHCl (2.54 ± 0.26), and CH₂ = CHBr (2.45 ± 0.25). These rate constants are lower than those determined by discharge flow techniques, but that for CH₂ = CHF is in good agreement with relative rate measurements.     

Polymerization initiated by an electron donor–acceptor complex. Part I. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by liquid sulfur dioxide–pyridine complex in the presence of carbon tetrachloride

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate can be initiated by a charge-transfer complex of liquid sulfur dioxide and pyridine in the presence of carbon tetrachloride. The molar ratio of sulfur dioxide and pyridine which participated in the complex was found from a spectrophotometric study to be 2:1. The polymerization proceeds through free-radical intermediates. The overall rate of polymerization is proportional to the square root of the concentration of the complex, and the values of k_p/k_t^1/2 under the various polymerization conditions were satisfactorily consistent with the literature value. For the activation energy of the overall reaction, 8.2 kcal./mole was obtained, and for initiation, 9.7 kcal./mole was evaluated from the values of k_p/k_t^1/2. It was deduced from a kinetic mechanism for the initiation that a primary radical may be produced from the reduction of carbon tetrachloride by an associated complex consisting of liquid sulfur dioxide–pyridine complex and the monomer.     

Polymerization of Cyclosiloxanes. I. Kinetic Studies on Living Polymer—Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane Systems

The kinetics of the anionic polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) initiated by α-methylstyrene living polymer in tetrahydrofuran was studied. The following kinetic scheme was postulated: Initiation: Propagation: where S^- and M represent the initiator and D₄, respectively. At a living end concentration of 0.0377 mole/l. and a monomer concentration of 1.5 mole/l. in tetrahydrofuran at 25°C. the following kinetic data were obtained: k₁ = 2.3 × 10^?4 l./mole-sec., k₂ < 2.3 × 10^?5 sec.^?1, k₃ = 2.75 × 10^?2l./mole-sec. k₄ ≈ 1.17 × 10^?2 sec.^?1, K₁ > 10 l./mole and K₂ ≈ 2.35 l./mole. The rate constants k₁ and k₃ were found to be dependent on the concentration of anions. This is attributed to the dissociation of ion pairs to free ions at lower concentration. Under the experimental conditions studied the majority of the anions were present in the form of ion pairs. The reactivity of the free ions is about 100 times greater than that of ion pairs. There is no temperature effect on K₂, indicating zero ΔH and positive ΔS in the propagation reaction.     

A luminescence probe for measurements of electron-exchange rates in polymer films on electrodes

The effect of metal ions on the, reduction of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-quinone (1), 5,8-quinolinequinone (II) and 6,7-dichloro-5, 8-quinolinequinone (III) has been investigated in 50% dimethylsulfoxide+water solvent. 1 contains the 1,10-phenanthroline structure in both its quinone and hydroquinone forms, while II and III contain the 8-hydroxyquinoline structure in the hydroquinone forms. Complexation of the hydroquinones of II and III by metal ions causes positive shifts in the quinone half-wave potentials. These shifts have been used to calculate conditional formation constants for Pb²⁺(II) and Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺(III). The quinone form of I binds strongly to Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ but not to Ca²⁺. Mg²⁺. Mg₂₊. Mn²⁺ and Pb²⁺. With the latter four metals, binding to the hydroquinone from of I was detected and formation constants were determined. In addition to binding both the quinone and hydroquinone forms at the nitrogen atoms, Ni₂₊ Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ formed complexes at the 1,2-dihydroxy site of the hydroquinone of I.     

The enthalpies of formation of copper(II) complexes with nicotinamide in aqueous ethanol and DMSO

The enthalpies of complex formation between nicotinamide and copper(II) perchlorate in aqueous ethanol and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were determined calorimetrically. The maximum exothermic effect was observed in a solvent with ～0.1 mole fractions of DMSO. The exothermic effect of complex formation increased as the concentration of ethanol grew. The role played by solvation in the thermodynamic characteristics of monoligand complex formation was considered. The influence of solvent composition on Δ_r H ^o was largely related to the resolvation of the ligand donor atom.     

A kinetic study of the reactions of the hydrogen atom with the cyclohexadiene isomers in the gas phase

Absolute values of the rate constants for the reaction of hydrogen atoms with cyclic olefins in the gas phase have been measured in a discharge-flow system under 3.5, 16, and 22 torr Ar at 23°C. The attenuation of hydrogen atom concentration in the reaction tube in the presence of a large excess of olefin was measured with an ESR spectrometer, and the products were analyzed by gas chromatography. Cyclic C₆ hydrocarbons were the only significant products obtained when the hydrogen atom concentration was 2.6 × 10^?10 mole/1., the olefin concentration was in the range of 9 to 22 × 10^?8 mole/1., and the pressure was 16 torr Ar. The values for the rate constants for reaction with cyclohexadiene-1,3, cyclohexadiene-1,4, and cyclohexene are, respectively, (9 ± 2) × 10⁸, (12 ± 1) × 10⁸, and (6 ± 1) × 10⁸ l./mole-sec, and they are not changed significantly by a sixfold change in total pressure. The fraction of the total interaction that proceeds by addition is 84% in the cyclohexadiene-1,3 system, but only 18% in the cyclohexadiene-1,4 system, and the cyclohexadienyl radical is therefore the dominant radical species in the latter system. The pattern of interaction between the hydrogen atom and the cyclohexadienyl radical was determined, and comprises 65% of disproportionation, and 13% and 23% of combination to yield cyclohexadiene-1,3 and cyclohexadiene-1,4, respectively. These results are consistent with the general patterns of reactivity emerging from studies of the reactions between free radicals and olefins in related systems.     

Anionic polymerization of styrene in the presence of pyridine

An interesting effect of pyridine on the anionic polymerization of styrene in THF is described. Pyridine forms a complex with living polystyrene and greatly slows the polymerization rate without changing the degree of polymerization. From kinetic and spectroscopic studies, it was clear that there exist two active species in this system and the complex between living polystyrene and pyridine was of the 1:1 type, which itself had a weak ability to grow. The formation constant of the complex K was found to be about 4 × 10⁵ l./mole. The effect of substituted pyridine was also studied and the nature of the complex was discussed.     

The free-radical reaction of tri-n-butyltin hydride with peroxides

Rate constants for the tri-n-butyltin radical ( Sn · ) induced decomposition of a number of peroxides have been measured in benzene at 10°C. The values range from ～100 M^?1 sec^?1 for di-t-butyl peroxide to 2.6 × 10⁷ M^?1 sec^?1 for di-t-butyl diperoxyisophthalate. The majority of the peroxides, including diethyl peroxide, diacetyl peroxide, and t-butyl peracetate, have rate constants of ～10⁵ M^?1 sec^?1. It is shown that di-n-alkyl disulfides are ten times as reactive toward Sn · as di-n-alkyl peroxides, although the exothermicities of these reactions are ～15 and ～39 kcal/mole, respectively. The enhanced reactivity of the disulfides is attributed to the easier formation of an intermediate or transition state with 9 electrons around sulfur, compared with an analogous species with 9 electrons around oxygen. The following bond strengths (kcal/mole) have been estimated: D[ Sn ? OR] = 77; D[ Sn ? H] = 82; D[ Sn ? SR] = 83; and D[ Sn ? OC(O)R] = 86, where R = alkyl. Rate constants for reaction of Sn · with some benzyl esters have also been measured. It has been found that t-butoxy radicals can add to benzene and abstract hydrogen from benzene at ambient temperatures.     

ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTIONS OCCURRING UPON LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF PHOSPHOLIPID BILAYER SYSTEMS CONTAINING CHLOROPHYLL,BENZOQUINONE AND CYTOCHROME c-I. NEGATIVELY-CHARGED VESICLES*

Abstract— In negatively-charged lipid bilayer vesicles prepared in deionized water from egg phosphatidylcholine and 25 mol % of α-eleostearic acid, and containing chlorophyll a, benzoquinone, and cytochrome c, primary electron transfer after a laser flash occurred principally from chlorophyll triplet to benzoquinone, and to a smaller extent from chlorophyll triplet to oxidized cytochrome c. Several secondary electron transfer reactions occurred subsequent to this. The most rapid of these was electron transfer from reduced cytochrome c, which was bound to the outer surface of the negatively-charged vesicle, to chlorophyll cation radical (k= 3.9 times 10³ s^-1). Subsequent to this, the cation radical was reduced by benzoquinone anion radical (k= 1.6 times 10² s^-1>) and bound oxidized cytochrome c was reduced by the remaining anion radical which was expelled into the aqueous phase by the negative charge on the vesicle surface. This latter reaction occurred at the membrane-solution interface with an observed rate constant (k= 60 s^-1) two orders of magnitude smaller than cytochrome oxidation. Net reduced cytochrome c was produced in this process. The reduced cytochrome c was slowly reoxidized by benzoquinone (k= 17 s^-1) and the system was returned to its original state. When the vesicle system was made slightly basic by adding tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, the rates of both the reverse electron transfer between chlorophyll cation radical and benzoquinone anion radical (k= 5 times 10² s^-1) and the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c by chlorophyll cation radical (k= 9.4 times 10³ s^-1) were accelerated. The rate of reduction of oxidized cytochrome c by benzoquinone anion radical remained approximately the same.     

Adsorption and redox processes at carbon nanofiber electrodes grown onto a ceramic fiber backbone

The adsorption of aromatic compounds onto activated carbons and carbon nanofibers is of considerable technical importance and beneficial in electroanalytical procedures. Here, effects due to the strong adsorption of hydroquinone, benzoquinone, and phenol onto carbon nanofiber electrodes immersed in aqueous media are reported. Carbon nanofiber materials (fiber diameter approximately 100 nm) are grown onto ceramic fiber substrates by employing an ambient pressure chemical vapour deposition process. The resulting composite electrode material is sufficiently electrically conducting due to the high carbon content and mechanically robust due to the ceramic backbone. It is shown that the voltammetric signal obtained for the one electron reduction of Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ is dominated by solution trapped in the three-dimensional electrode structure. In contrast, for the hydroquinone/benzoquinone redox system in aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7) strong adsorption onto the carbon nanofiber material is observed. In the presence of phenol also strong adsorption is detected. In the course of the chemically irreversible oxidation of phenol in aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7), the formation of multi-electron oxidation products related to benzoquinone is observed. The pathway for the oxidation process is attributed to (i) the high surface area of the carbon nanofiber electrode and (ii) the adsorption of intermediates.     

Stability of H‐complexes of nicotinamide nitrogen heteroatom with water and ethanol in mixed solvents by 13C NMR probing

The formation constants of the nicotinamide H‐complexes with protonic solvents such as water and ethanol in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous ethanol were determined using ¹³C NMR data. Free Gibbs energy of nicotinamide donor center (nitrogen heteroatom) solvation was calculated. Gibbs energy of entire nicotinamide molecule solvation was shown to be antibate towards Gibbs energy of a pyridine nitrogen solvation. The solvation state of this molecule fragment must be taken into consideration when analyzing the reagents contributions in the thermodynamics of complexation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pulse radiolysis studies of styrene

We have applied the pulse radiolysis technique of studying short-lived, radiation-produced intermediates to a study of pure, dry liquid styrene. We have observed at least three distinct species. The most rapidly decaying species (τ1/2 = 4 μsec., λ_max ≈ 370 mμ) exhibits an apparent first-order decay which is slowed down in the presence of dry oxygen, occurs too rapidly to be measured in the presence of water, and has a temperature coefficient of approximately 1 kcal./mole between 25 and 45°C. We have tentatively identified the species as the styryl anion with a G value for formation of approximately 0.15. A second species (τ1/2 = 220 μsec. λ_max ≈ 320–330 mμ) exhibits a first-order decay which appears to be independent of oxygen and water. From its spectrum, we have tentatively identified it as the styryl radical. The third species (λ_max ≈ 310 and 320 mμ) is relatively stable in the dark, but is radily photolyzed by the analyzing light of the usual experimental set-up for pulse radiolysis studies. The formation of this species appears to be independent of the water and oxygen content of the styrene.     

Active site measurements in the coordinated anionic polymerization of propylene

The active-site concentration was determined by using tritium labeling on three coordinate anionic catalysts containing violet titanium(III) chloride [hereafter referred to as titanium(III) chloride or TiCl₃]. These catalysts were used in the polymerization of propylene. Three-component catalysts, as well as two-component catalysts, were investigated. Previous estimates of active-site concentrations for (C₂H₅)₂AlCl—TiCl₃ catalysts appear to be too high by at least a factor of 10. The reason for the previous high estimates can be attributed to the marked reduction in chain-transfer rate which occurs when the amount of polymer formed exceeds about 2 g./g. TiCl₃. The chain-transfer process appears to involve both alkylaluminum and monomer, but the effective monomer concentration is apparently not reduced until a later stage in the polymerization. The propagation rate is, therefore, unaffected; but the transfer rate is reduced, leading to the formation of polymer with much higher molecular weight. Extension of this process could lead to the observed broad distribution of molecular weights in polypropylene. As a result of the low value of active-site concentrations [about 10^?3 mole/mole titanium(III) chloride], the absolute value calculated for the propagation rate constant for propylene polymerization is in the range of 50 l./mole sec., and the average lifetime of a growing polymer molecule during the early stages of the polymerization is about 1 min.