Pulse radiolysis study of dithio-oxamide in aqueous solutions

The reactions of e⁻ _aq, H-atoms, OH radicals and some one electron oxidants and reductants were studied with dithio-oxamide (DTO) in aqueous solutions using pulse radiolysis technique. The transient species formed by the reaction of e⁻ _aq with DTO at pH 6.8 has an absorption band with λ _max at 380 nm and is reducing in nature. H-atom reaction with DTO at pH 6.8 also produced the same transient species. The semi-reduced species was found to be neutral indicating that the electron adduct gets protonated quickly. However at pH 1, the species produced by H-atom reaction had a different spectrum with λ _max at 360 and 520 nm. Reaction of acetone ketyl radicals and CO₂ ⁻ radicals with DTO at pH 6.8 gave transient spectra which were identical to that obtained by e⁻ _aq reaction. However at pH 1, the spectrum obtained by the reaction of acetone ketyl radicals with DTO was similar to that obtained by H-atom reaction at that pH. The transient species formed by OH radical reaction with DTO in the pH range 1–9.2 also has two absorption maxima at 360 and 520 nm. This spectrum was identical with the spectrum obtained by H-atom reaction at pH 1. This means that all these radicals viz. OH, H-atom and (CH₃)₂COH radicals react with DTO at pH 1 by H-abstraction mechanism. The transient species produced was found to be sensitive to the presence of oxygen. One-electron oxidizing radicals such as Br₂ ^−· and SO₄ ^−· radicals reacted with DTO at neutral pH to give the same species as produced by OH radical reaction having absorption maxima at 360 to 520 nm. At acidic pHs, only Br₂ ^−· and Cl₂ ^−· radicals were able to oxidize DTO to give the same species as produced by OH radical reaction. The semioxidized species is a resonance stabilized species with the electron delocalized over the-N-C-S bond. This species was found to be neutral and non-oxidizing in nature.     

Nature of the transient species formed in pulse radiolysis of n-allylthiourea in aqueous solutions

Reactions of e⁻_aq, OH radicals and H atoms were studied with n-allylthiourea (NATU) using pulse radiolysis. Hydrated electrons reacted with NATU (k = 2.8×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) giving a transient species which did not have any significant absorption above 300 nm. It was found to transfer electrons to methyl viologen. At pH 6.8, the reduction potential of NATU has been determined to be −0.527 V versus NHE. At pH 6.8, OH radicals were found to react with NATU, giving a transient species having absorption maxima at 400–410 nm and continuously increasing absorption below 290 nm. Absorption at 400–410 nm was found to increase with parent concentration, from which the equilibrium constant for dimer radical cation formation has been estimated to be 4.9×10³ dm³ mol⁻¹. H atoms were found to react with NATU with a rate constant of 5 × 10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, giving a transient species having an absorption maximum at 310 nm, which has been assigned to H-atom addition to the double bond in the allyl group. Acetoneketyl radicals reacted with NATU at acidic pH values and the species formed underwent reaction with parent NATU molecule. Reaction of Cl^.−₂ radicals (k = 4.6 × 10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) at pH 1 was found to give a transient species with λ_max at 400 nm. At the same pH, reaction of OH radicals also gave transient species, having a similar spectrum, but the yield was lower. This showed that OH radicals react with NATU by two mechanisms, viz., one-electron oxidation, as well as addition to the allylic double bond. From the absorbance values at 410 nm, it has been estimated that around 38% of the OH radicals abstract H atoms and the remaining 62% of the OH radicals add to the allylic double bond.     

Reactions of sulphacetamide with pulse radiolytically generated reducing radicals

Pulse radiolysis technique has been used to characterise the transients formed by the reaction of sulphacetamide with e_aq ^- and subsequently study the electron transfer reactions from the transient to various electron acceptors such as thionine, safranine-T and methyl viologen. The results indicate that the semi-reduced sulphacetamide species are highly reducing in nature as they transfer electrons to various dyes with near diffusion controlled rates (k > 10⁹dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹) in alkaline and acidic solutions. The influence of oxygen on the decay behaviour of semi-reduced species has been investigated and the results show that O₂ reaction with SA⁻ is very fast (k = 1.5 × l0⁹dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹) and leads to the formation of a permanent-coloured product. Reactions of H.atoms resulted in the formation of two transient species whose spectral, kinetic and acid-base characteristics have also been investigated.     

Nature of the transient species formed during pulse radiolysis of thioacetamide in aqueous solutions

Thioacetamide (TA) is an organic compound having thioamide group similar to that in thiourea derivatives. Its reactions with e_aq⁻, H-atom and OH radicals were studied using the pulse radiolysis technique at various pHs and the kinetic and spectral characteristics of the transient species were determined. The initial adduct formed by the reaction of TA with OH radicals at pH 7 does not absorb light in the 300–600 nm region but reacts with the parent compound to give a transient species with an absorption maximum around 400 nm. At pH 0, the reaction of OH radicals with TA directly gives a similar transient species with absorption maximum at 400 nm. Transient species formed by H-atom reaction with TA and pH 0 has no absorption in the 300–600 nm region but at higher acidity a new transient species is formed which has absorption maximum at 400 nm. This transient absorption observed in the case of both OH and H atom reaction with TA is ascribed to the formation of a resonance stabilized radical similar to that obtained in the case of thiourea derivatives. The species produced by electron reaction viz. electron adduct was found to be a strong reductant and could reduce MV²⁺ with a high rate constant. H₂S was produced as a stable product in the reaction of e_aq⁻ and its G-value was determined to be about 0.8.     

Use of Raman spectroscopy for the identification of radical-mediated damages in human serum albumin

Damages induced by free radicals on human serum albumin (HSA), the most prominent protein in plasma, were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. HSA underwent oxidative and reductive radical stress. Gamma-irradiation was used to simulate the endogenous formation of reactive radical species such as hydrogen atoms (^•H), solvated electrons (e_aq⁻) and hydroxyl radicals (^•OH). Raman spectroscopy was shown to be a useful tool in identifying conformational changes of the protein structure and specific damages occurring at sensitive amino acid sites. In particular, the analysis of the S–S stretching region suggested the radical species caused modifications in the 17 disulphide bridges of HSA. The concomitant action of e_aq⁻ and ^•H atoms caused the formation of cyclic disulphide bridges, showing how cystine pairs act as efficient interceptors of reducing species, by direct scavenging and electron transfer reactions within the protein. This conclusion was further confirmed by the modifications visible in the Raman bands due to Phe and Tyr residues. As regards to protein folding, both oxidative and reductive radical stresses were able to cause a loss in α-helix content, although the latter remains the most abundant secondary structure component. β-turns motifs significantly increased as a consequence of the synergic action of e_aq⁻ and ^•H atoms, whereas a larger increase in the β-sheet content was found following the exposure to ^•OH and/or ^•H attack.     

Pulse radiolysis study of 2-Mercapto-benzothiazole-a corrosion inhibitor

Pulse radiolysis of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) has been undertaken in aqueous solution. The semi-oxidized species formed at pH 4.5 due to the reaction of OH^•, Br₂ ^•− and N₃ ^• and at pH 10.5 with OH^• yielded a spectrum with λ_max = 348 and 595 nm. These semi-oxidized species were able to oxidize phenothiazine drugs (E^o⋟0.8 V). Reducing species such as e_aq ⁻, CO₂ ^•− and H^• atoms react with 2-MBT resulting in the formation of a transient having λ_max = 350 nm and reducing in nature. Kinetic and spectroscopic data of interest are reported.     

Pulse radiolysis of 3-pyridine methanol and 3-pyridine carboxaldehyde in aqueous solutions

Reactions of e_aq^-, H-atom and OH radicals with 3-pyridine methanol (3-PM) and 3-pyridine carboxaldehyde (3-PCA) have been studied at various pHs using pulse radiolysis technique. e_aq^- was found to be highly reactive with both 3-PM and 3-PCA (k approx. 10¹⁰ dm³ mol¹ s^-1). Semi-reduced species formed in both cases were strongly reducing in nature. In the case of 3-PM, electron addition leads to the formation of pyridinyl radicals whereas in the case of 3-PCA, PyCHOH type radicals are formed. At pH 6.8, H-atom reaction with 3-PCA also gives semi-reduced species (PyCHOH), whereas at pH 1, H-atoms add to the ring. (CH₃)₂˙COH radicals were found to transfer electron to 3-PCA at all the pH values tested and by making use of changes in the absorption spectra, pK_a values of the semi-reduced species were determined to be 4.5 and 10.6. OH radicals were found to undergo addition reaction with 3-PCA, whereas in the case of 3-PM they reacted by H-abstraction as well as addition reaction. By following the yield of methylviologen radical cation formed by electron transfer reaction, it was estimated that approx. 50% of OH radicals react with 3-PM by H-atom abstraction at pH 6.8, giving reducing radicals, whereas at pH 3.2, where 3-PM is in the protonated form, the same is only about 10%. At pH 13, O^-˙ radical anions were found to react exclusively by H-atom abstraction. Reaction of SO₄^-˙ radicals with 3-PCA was found to give a species identical to the one formed by one electron reduction of nicotinic acid at acidic pH values.     

Anti- and pro-oxidant properties of sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate (Mesna)

The ^•OH and the NO₂ ^• radicals generated pulse radiolytically in N₂O-saturated aqueous solution at pH 8–8.5 oxidize Mesna to form the corresponding thiyl radicals which on reaction with thiolate ions form an RSSR^{• −} type of transient with λ_max = 420 nm. The rate constants for the formation of these transients were determined. In the absence of O₂ at pH=6, the RS^• radicals formed show an absorption maximum at 360 nm and an ε=200±50 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The rate constant k (^•OH+RSH) was 6×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ as determined from competition kinetics. In the presence of O₂ the Mesna thiyl radical was seen to rapidly add oxygen to form an RSOO^• type of species with λ_max = 535 nm, ε=700±50 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and k (RS^•+O₂)=1.3×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. Both the RS^• and the RSOO^• radicals formed by the oxidation of Mesna were able to abstract H-atoms from ascorbate ions and k(RS^• +AH⁻)=~k(RSOO^•+AH⁻)=~6−7×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s^−1-. Moderately strong oxidants like CCl₃OO^• and the (CH₃)₃CO^• radicals, having a reduction potential of +1.4−1.6 V vs NHE were unable to oxidize Mesna. The results thus reflect on the pro- and anti-oxidant properties of Mesna.     

Redox reactions of 2-hydroxy pyridine: A pulse radiolysis study

Rate constants for reactions of 2-pyridinol with one electron reductants, such ase _aq ⁻ and H atoms and one-electron oxidants, viz. OH, N₃, Br ₂ ⁻ , C1 ₂ ⁻ and O⁻ have been determined at different pH values using the pulse radiolysis technique. From the corrected absorption spectra of the product transient species, the extinction coefficients of these species at their respective absorption maxima have been determined. The kinetics of decay of these transients have been investigated. ThepK _a values of transients formed bye _aq ⁻ and OH radical reactions have been estimated to be 7.6 and 3.5 respectively. Rate constants for electron transfer from semireduced 2-pyridinol to different electron acceptors have been determined.     

Radiation chemical investigations on aqueous solutions of C60(OH)18

The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of C₆₀(OH)₁₈ in water showed an absorption band with λ_max = 215 nm and other characteristic absorption bands of C₆₀ are not observed. The singlet-singlet and triplet-triplet absorption bands are not observed in the 400–900 nm region. It has low reactivity with e_aq⁻ and formed an absorption band with λ_max = 580 nm. The hydroxyl radicals react with a bimolecular rate constant of 2.4×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and showed an absorption band at 540 nm.     

Scavenging of reactive oxygen radicals by resveratrol: antioxidant effect

Pulse radiolysis of resveratrol was carried out in aqueous solutions at pH ranging from 6.5 to 10.5. The one-electron oxidized species formed by the N^•₃ radicals at pH 6.5 and 10.5 were essentially the same with λ_max at 420 nm and rate constant varying marginally (k = (5−6.5) × 10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). The nature of the transients formed by NO^•₂, NO^• radical reaction at pH 10.5 was the same as that with N^•₃, due to the similarity in decay rates and the absorption maximum. Reaction of ^•OH radical with resveratrol at pH 7 gives an absorption maximum at 380 nm, attributed to the formation of carbon centered radical. The repair rates for the thymidine and guanosine radicals by resveratrol were approx. 1 × 10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, while the repair rate for tryptophan was lower by nearly an order of magnitude (k = 2 × 10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). The superoxide radical anion was scavenged by resveratrol, as well as by the Cu–resveratrol complex with k = 2 × 10⁷ and 1.5 × 10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. Its reduction potential was also measured by cyclic voltammetry.     

Pulse radiolysis of 3-pyridine methanol and 3-pyridine carboxaldehyde in aqueous solutions

Reactions of e_aq ^-, H-atom and OH radicals with 3-pyridine methanol (3-PM) and 3-pyridine carboxaldehyde (3-PCA) have been studied at various pHs using pulse radiolysis technique. e_aq ^- was found to be highly reactive with both 3-PM and 3-PCA (k approx. 10¹⁰ dm³ mol 1 s^-1). Semi-reduced species formed in both cases were strongly reducing in nature. In the case of 3-PM, electron addition leads to the formation of pyridinyl radicals whereas in the case of 3-PCA, PyCHOH type radicals are formed. At pH 6.8, H-atom reaction with 3-PCA also gives semi-reduced species (PyCHOH), whereas at pH 1, H-atoms add to the ring. (CH₃)₂ ^·COH radicals were found to transfer electron to 3-PCA at all the pH values tested and by making use of changes in the absorption spectra, pK _a values of the semi-reduced species were determined to be 4.5 and 10.6. OH radicals were found to undergo addition reaction with 3-PCA, whereas in the case of 3-PM they reacted by H-abstraction as well as addition reaction. By following the yield of methylviologen radical cation formed by electron transfer reaction, it was estimated that approx. 50% of OH radicals react with 3-PM by H-atom abstraction at pH 6.8, giving reducing radicals, whereas at pH 3.2, where 3-PM is in the protonated form, the same is only about 10%. At pH 13, O^-· radical anions were found to react exclusively by H-atom abstraction. Reaction of SO₄ ^-· radicals with 3-PCA was found to give a species identical to the one formed by one electron reduction of nicotinic acid at acidic pH values.     

Formation of silver nanoparticles in formamide:water mixtures: a radiolytic study

The pulse radiolysis of FA and FA:water solutions was studied in the absence and presence of redox indicator 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride (methyl viologen, MV²⁺). The experiments performed in the presence of MV²⁺ have provided strong support to the idea that the first species obtained from the reaction of e_sol⁻ and ^•OH with FA produces radicals that show reactivity towards the MV²⁺. Both the radicals on reaction with MV²⁺ results in the appearance of the well-known intense blue MV^•+ radical absorption signal (λ_max = 395 nm, λ_max = 605 nm). The intermediate radicals formed during radiolysis were used to generate silver nanoparticles.     

Redox chemistry of o- and m -hydroxycinnamic acids: A pulse radiolysis study

Radiation chemical reactions of^•OH, O^•−, N₃ ^•and e _aq ^t- witho- and m-hydroxycinnamic acids were studied. The second-orderrateconstantsforthereaction of^•OH with ortho and meta isomers in buffer solution at pH7 are 3.9±0.2 × 10⁹ and 4.4 ± 0.3 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^-1 s^-1 respectively. At pH 3 the rate with the ortho isomer was halved (1.6 ± 0.4 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^-1 s^-1) but it was unaffected in the case of meta isomer (k = 4.2±0.6 × 10⁹dm³mol^-1 s^-1). The rate constant in the reaction of N₃ ^• with the ortho isomer is lower by an order of magnitude (k = 4.9 ± 0.4 × 10⁸ dm³ mol^-1s^-1). The rates of the reaction of e _aq ^t- with ortho and meta isomers were found to be diffusion controlled. The transient absorption spectrum measured in the^•OH witho-hydroxycinnamic acid exhibited an absorption maximum at 360 nm and in meta isomer the spectrum was blue-shifted (330 nm) with a shoulder at 390 nm. A peak at 420 nm was observed in the reaction of O^bb−with theo-isomer whereas the meta isomer has a maximum at 390 and a broad shoulder at 450 nm. In the reaction of the absorption peaks were centred at 370–380 nm in both the isomers. The underlying reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Nature of transient species formed during pulse radiolysis of 4-mercaptopyridine in aqueous solutions: Formation of a dimer radical species by one-electron reduction reaction

Reactions of one-electron reducing as well as oxidizing radicals with 4-mercaptopyridine (4-MPy) were studied in aqueous solutions at different pH values. One-electron oxidizing radicals such as N₃ and Br₂ ^–, react with 4-MPy by electron transfer reaction at pH 11 to give 4-pyridylthiyl radical. The reduction potential for the couple 4-PyS /4-PyS^– was estimated to be 0.93V vs. NHE by equilibrium reaction with I₂ ^– /2I^– couple. At pH 6.8, where the compound is predominantly present in the thione form, the transient species formed is a cation radical. OH radicals react with 4-MPy by addition to the pyridine ring at pH 6.8 and 11. At pH 0, OH radicals as well as one-electron oxidants like Cl₂ ^– and Br₂ ^– radicals react with 4-MPy to produce the protonated form of 4-pyridylthiyl radical. At pH 6.8 and 11, e_aq ^– reaction with 4-MPy gave an initial adducts which reacted with the parent molecule to give dimer radicals. Acetone ketyl radicals were unable to reduce 4-MPy at neutral pH. Reducing radicals like H-atoms and acetone ketyl radicals reacted with 4-MPy at acidic pH by H-abstraction reaction to give the same species as produced by oxidizing radicals.     

Pulse radiolysis studies of mangiferin: A C-glycosyl xanthone isolated from Mangifera indica

Pulse radiolysis technique has been employed to study the reaction of different oxidizing and reducing radicals with mangiferin. The reaction of OH radical showed the formation of transient species absorbing in 380–390 and 470–480 nm region. The reaction with specific one-electron oxidants (N₃, CCl₃O₂) also showed the formation of similar transient absorption bands and is assigned to phenoxyl radicals. The pK_a values of the transient species have been determined to be 6.3 and 11.9. One-electron oxidation potential of mangiferin at pH 9 has been found to be 0.62 V vs. NHE. The reaction of e_aq⁻ showed the formation of transient species with λ_max at 340 nm, which is assigned to the ketyl anion radical formed on addition of e_aq⁻ at carbonyl site. Reactions of one-electron oxidised mangiferin radicals with ascorbic acid have also been studied.     

Reaction of hydroxyl radicals with S-nitrosothiols: Formation of thiyl radical (RS?) as the intermediate

The decomposition studies of S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) are important due to their potential role in vivo in connection with the storage and transport of nitric oxide (^•NO) within the body. Reactions of hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) with a number of RSNOs (S-nitroso derivatives of N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine, l-cysteinemethylester, N-acetylcysteamine, and dl-penicillamine) in aqueous medium at neutral and acidic pH have been reported in the present study. Radiation chemical technique (steady state and pulse radiolysis) has been utilized for the determination of the reaction rate constants, the end product analyses, and the transient intermediate species. The rate constants for the reaction of ^•OH with the selected RSNOs were determined using a competition kinetic method with 2′-deoxy-d-ribose as the competitor. All the rate constants were found to be of the order of diffusion controlled (10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹). The degradation yield of RSNOs was found to be quantitative (i.e., G(–RSNO) ≈ G(^•OH)) at neutral and acidic pH. The major products of decomposition were the respective disulfide (RSSR) and nitrite (NO₂ ⁻). A good material balance is also obtained between the degradation yield and the formation of the products (i.e., G(–RSNO) ≈ G(RSSR) + G(NO₂ ⁻)). The major transient intermediate was the thiyl radical (RS^•). Its intermediacy was confirmed by making use of the electron transfer reaction of 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS²⁻) to RS^•, which results in the formation of ABTS^•− having a transient absorption spectrum with λ_max at 410 nm. Based on these results, a generalized reaction mechanism is deduced for the reaction of ^•OH with RSNO.     

Oxidation reactions of 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione

The free radical scavenging properties and possible antioxidant activity of 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione (1) are reported. Pulse radiolysis technique was employed to study the one-electron oxidation of 1 with various radicals viz. CCl₃O₂ ^•, N₃ ^• and^•OH in homogeneous aqueous solution. All these radicals reacted with 1 under ambient conditions at almost diffusion controlled rates producing transient species with an absorption maximum around 420 nm that decayed at first order rates. The transient absorption peak was shifted in the case of CCl₃OO^• radical reaction with 1 due to change in the polarity of the medium. Formation of a stable product with a broad absorption band starting from 400 nm and cut off at 230 nm was observed in the oxidation of 1 with^•OH and^•N₃ radicals. In a biological system also, 1 showed significant inhibitory activity against Fe²⁺-mediatedlipidperoxidation. Based on these observations, a suitable mechanism for the oxidation of 1 has been proposed.     

Redox reactions of transient species formed during pulse radiolysis of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde and 2-pyridine methanol in aqueous solutions

Rate constants for the reactions of e _aq ^? , H and OH radicals with 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde and 2-pyridine methanol have been determined by pulse radiolysis technique. Reactions of reducing radicals such as acetone ketyl radicals and CO₂ ^? with these compounds were also evaluated at various pHs. The species produced by the reaction of reducing radicals with these solutes was a strong reductant itself. While pyridinyl were produced in the case of 2-pyridine methanol, one-electron reduction of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde led to the formation of PyCHOH radical. The one-electron reduction potential of PyCHOH radicals was estimated by establishing an equilibrium with MV⁺ radical cations to be ?0.6V vs NHE. OH radical reaction with 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde gave an OH adduct, while in the case of 2-pyridine methanol, OH radicals reacted partly by H-abstraction from the ?CH₂OH group. SO₄ ^? radical reaction with 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde produced a species which was reducing in nature. The rate constants for the reaction of e _aq ^? and OH radicals are compared with similar values obtained in the case of other 2-pyridine derivatives to see if there is any electron-inductive effect.     

Pulse-radiolysis studies of nimesulide in aqueous solution: effect of microheterogeneous media

Nimesulide, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, forms semi-oxidized species (_max = 350 nm) on reaction with N·₃ and CCl₃OO· in aqueous solution. Their oxidizing nature is confirmed by their ability to undergo an electron-transfer reaction with ABTS^2-, the rate constant for the reaction k = 4.7 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^-1 s^-1. ·OH-adduct constitutes about 94% of the species formed on reaction with ·OH radicals, the remaining 5-6% species are oxidizing in nature. The rate constant for the formation of ·OH-adduct, i.e. k(·OH + Nim-NO₂) = 2.8 × 10¹⁰ dm³ mol^-1 s^-1. Oxygen adds to both e^- _aq and ·OH-adducts of nimesulide with rate constants of 9.5 × 10⁶ dm³ mol^-1 s^-1 and 1.4 × 10⁷ dm³ mol^-1 s^-1, respectively. In the presence of cyclodextrins the nature of the transient species formed is much the same. Binding constants of the drug with CDs are generally quite low in comparison to BSA and range between 37 and 390 dm³ mol^-1. Hydrated electrons add on to nimesulide at the nitro group forming a semi-reduced species with _max = 320 and 500 nm. The rate constant k for this reaction is 1.4 × 10¹⁰ dm³ mol^-1 s^-1. The transient species formed on reaction of e^- _aq or (CH₃)·₂COH radicals with nimesulide seem to be identical, as is seen from their decay rates. The reduction potential of nimesulide for the couple (Nim-NO₂/Nim-NO·₂ ^-) is found to be -0.52 V vs. NHE at pH 7, by cyclic voltammetric and pulse radiolysis techniques.