Polymerization of Diphenylbutadiyne Derivatives in Solution by Free Radical Initiator

In order to study free radical reactions of aromatic diacetylenes, the reaction of diphenyldiacetylene with di‐t‐butylperoxide was carried out in 1,2‐dichlorobenzene. The presence of t‐butoxy radicals considerably accelerated product formation, and oligomers with number average molecular weights of 700–2000 were obtained. There is no fragment of the t‐butyl group in the oligomers obtained according with the ¹H‐NMR spectrum. Furthermore, it is impossible that the t‐butoxy radicals would have initiated the oligomerization. The intense ESR spectra observed during the reaction at 130°C are due to the diradicals of oligomeric diphenylbutadiyne. It was concluded that the oligomerization proceeds via coupling of diradicals, and not the successive addition of radicals to monomers. The purified product oligomers did not contain carbonyl groups indicating there was no oxidation, and their ESR spectra have revealed that these oligomers contained a substantial amount of living free radicals stable in air at room temperature. The reason why high polymers are not obtained is the steric effect of oligomeric diradicals for coupling, as well as probable cyclization.     

RuO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-mediated oxidation of<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-benzylated tertiary amines. Are amine<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxides and iminium cations reaction intermediates?

N-Benzylmorpholine,-piperidine, and-pyrrolidine (1A-C, resp.) are oxidised by RuO₄ (generated in situ) at both endocyclic and exocyclic (benzylic) N—α-methylene positions to afford lactams (and dioxo-derivatives) and benzaldehyde (and benzoyl derivatives), respectively. The N-oxides of 1A-C, formed by a minor side reaction, are not involved as intermediates. Control experiments showed the transient formation of endo- and exocyclic iminium cations trapped with NaCN as the corresponding nitriles. The proposed course of the RuO₄-mediated oxidation of 1A-C involves the consecutive steps 1⇒iminium cations+cyclic enamine⇒oxidation products. The endocyclic/exocyclic regioselectivity of the oxidation reaction lies between 0.8 (for 1A) and 2.1 (for 1B). The amine cation radical and the N-α-C· carbon-centered radical seem not to be involved.     

Electrochemical oxidation of 2H-imidazole N-oxides

Electrochemical oxidation of 2H-imidazole N-oxides was studied using cyclic voltammetry and ESR spectroscopy. The formation of the 2,2-dimethyl-4,5-diphenyl-2H-imidazole 1,3-dioxide radical cation was noticed for the first time. The possibility of reaction between the 2H-imidazole N,N-dioxide radical cation and methanol including the detachment of a hydrogen atom from the MeOH methyl group was demonstrated.     

Electrochemistry of bis(indenyl)dimethylzirconium complex—the precursor of the olefin polymerization catalyst

The reduction in THF and oxidation in CH₂Cl₂ of the bent-sandwich complex (η⁵-lnd)₂ZrMe₂ (1) (Ind=C₉H₇, indenyl) were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Complex1 in THF undergoes one-electron reduction to radical anion1 ⁻, which partially decomposes with the liberation of the Ind⁻ anion. Even at −45°C the one-electron oxidation leads to the formation of an unstable 15-electron radical cation undergoing fast heterolytic decomposition to the Me^• radical and (η⁵-lnd)₂ZrMe² cation, which is the key reaction center in the catalytic polymerization of olefins. Comparative analysis of electron-transfer-induced transformations of bent-sandwich dimethyl and dichloride zirconocenes of the general formula L₂ZrX₂ (L=η⁵-lnd, η⁵-Cp: X=Xl, Me) was performed. The material of the paper was first reported at the 195th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society (see Ref. 1). Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 59–62, January, 2000.     

THE MECHANISM OF INTERACTION OF SULPHUR AND p-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

Abstract

Several studies which have been undertaken on reaction of sulphur and p-pheaylenediamine give controversial proposals of mechanisms. Many authors postulate an attack of sulphur diradicals directed onto amino group.     

Initiation Mechanism of Alternating Copolymerization of Styrene with Some Electron-Accepting Monomers in the Presence of Zinc Chloride by Means of Spin Trapping Technique

Abstract

The initiation mechanism of spontaneous alternating copolymerizations of styrene (St) and some electron-accepting monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), methyl acrylate (MA), methacrylonitrile (MAN), and acrylonitrile (AN) in the presence of ZnCl₂ was studied by the spin trapping technique, in which 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (BNO) was used as a spin trapping reagent. When this technique was applied to the alternating copolymerization systems of St-MMA-ZnCl₂, St-MA-ZnCl₂, and St-MAN-ZnCl₂, the 2-phenylvinyl radical (·CH[dbnd]CH[sbnd]C₆H₅) was trapped as nitroxide. The structure of this nitroxide, which showed a large coupling constant (19～20 G) by β-hydrogen, was confirmed by comparison with the result of authentic experiment Accordingly it was concluded that this nitroxide was formed through proton migration from the St cation radical to the acceptor monomer anion radical in the charge- or electron-transfer complex, followed by reaction with BNO.

In the St-AN-ZnCl₂ system, however, a nitroxide derived from a cyclic radical was observed together with the nitroxide from 2-phenylvinyl radical. This cyclic radical seemed to be produced via the Diels-Alder adduct between St and AN.     

Thin-layer spectroelectrochemical kinetic study of viologen cation radicals reacting at hydrogen-evolving gold and nickel electrodes

The kinetics of viologen cation radicals reacting at hydrogen-evolving gold and nickel electrodes in pH 6–8 electrolytes have been investigated. Visible absorption spectroscopy was used to follow the course of the reaction in an optically transparent thin-layer electrochemical cell under quasi-steady-state conditions. The spectroelectrochemical data were analyzed using classical kinetics and yielded zero-order behavior with respect to the viologen cation radical. For methyl viologen cation radical at gold, a formal zero-order rate constant evaluated at zero hydrogen overpotential was found to be 1.0 × 10^?13 mol s^?1 cm^?2. At nickel the comparable rate constant was nearly two orders of magnitude larger than at gold. Increasing pH from 6 to 8 at gold electrodes shifted both the hydrogen evolution and the methyl viologen cation radical reaction 60–70 mV/pH unit in a negative direction. The diquat cation radical behaved in a similar manner. The proposed mechanism involves a fast, non-rate-limiting, chemical reaction between the viologen cation radical and adsorbed hydrogen atom(s). Results are interpreted in terms of previous proposed hydrogen evolution reaction mechanisms.     

Electrochemical interconversion of 1-(p-tolyl)-6-methyl-2,4-diphenylpyrimidinium perchlorate and 1-(p-tolyl)-6-methylene-2,4-diphenylpyrimidine

It is shown that reduction of the 6-methyl-1-(p-tolyl)-2,4-diphenylpyrimidinium cation proceeds in two one-electron stages. In the first stage, an unstable radical is formed, and in the second stage, an unstable anion. As a result of dehydrogenation of the radical, the anhydro base 6-methylene-1-p-tolyl-2,4-diphenyl-6H-pyrimidine is formed. Oxidation of this compound in a single one-electron stage forms an unstable cation radical, the hydrogenation of which leads to the original pyrimidinium cation. Data obtained by cyclic voltametry and electrosynthesis with subsequent identification of the products have shown that, the same as in the reaction with the hydroxide anion, the methyl-substituted pyrimidinium cation acts as a CH-acid.Rostov State University, Rostov-on-Don 344101, Russia. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 71–75, January, 1999.     

Synthesis and Electroconductive Properties of Radical Salts Derived from Tetrathiafulvalene Dimers

Palladium(II)- or copper(II)-catalyzed homo-coupling reaction of either trimethylstannyltetrathiafulvalene or tetrathiafulvalenylzinc chloride produces symmetrical bitetrathiafulvalenes (bi-TTFs) in good yields, whereas palladium(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of tetrathiafulvalenylzinc chloride with 4-iodotetrathiafulvalenes leads to the corresponding unsymmetrically substituted bi-TTFs in moderate-to-high yields. The X-ray analysis of bi-TTF derivatives showed planar structures, and the cyclic voltammetry suggested that bi-TTFs have good donor ability comparable to that of BEDT-TTF. The symmetrical bi-TTFs formed the corresponding CT-complexes and cation radical salts. These CT-complexes and radical salts were found to be metallic or semiconducting, reflecting the effect of stoichiometry control in the dimeric TTF system. The X-ray structures of two cation radical salts revealed a unique stacking, and the precise conducting path in BEDO-bi-TTF·ClO₄ was discussed on the basis of MO calculations.     

Structure and Reactivity of the <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">N</Emphasis>-Acetyl-Cysteine Radical Cation and Anion: Does Radical Migration Occur?

The structure and reactivity of the N-acetyl-cysteine radical cation and anion were studied using ion-molecule reactions, infrared multi-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The radical cation was generated by first nitrosylating the thiol of N-acetyl-cysteine followed by the homolytic cleavage of the S–NO bond in the gas phase. IRMPD spectroscopy coupled with DFT calculations revealed that for the radical cation the radical migrates from its initial position on the sulfur atom to the α-carbon position, which is 2.5 kJ mol^–1 lower in energy. The radical migration was confirmed by time-resolved ion-molecule reactions. These results are in contrast with our previous study on cysteine methyl ester radical cation (Osburn et al., Chem. Eur. J. 2011 , 17, 873–879) and the study by Sinha et al. for cysteine radical cation (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2010 , 12, 9794–9800) where the radical was found to stay on the sulfur atom as formed. A similar approach allowed us to form a hydrogen-deficient radical anion of N-acetyl-cysteine, (M – 2H) ^•– . IRMPD studies and ion-molecule reactions performed on the radical anion showed that the radical remains on the sulfur, which is the initial and more stable (by 63.6 kJ mol^–1) position, and does not rearrange.     

The O‐Directed Free Radical Hydrostannation of Propargyloxy Dialkyl Acetylenes with Ph3SnH/cat. Et3B. A Refutal of the Stannylvinyl Cation Mechanism

In this Personal Account, we will give an overview of the room temperature O‐directed free radical hydrostannation reaction of propargylically‐oxygenated dialkyl acetylenes with Ph₃SnH and catalytic Et₃B/O₂ in PhMe. We will show how this excellent reaction evolved, and how it has since been used to stereoselectively construct the complex trisubstituted olefin regions of three synthetically challenging natural product targets: (+)‐pumiliotoxin B, (?)‐(3R)‐inthomycin C, and (+)‐acutiphycin. Throughout this Account, we will pay special attention to highlighting important facets of the I?SnPh₃ exchange processes that have so far been used in the various different steric settings that we have addressed, and we will document the range of cross coupling protocols that have critically underpinned the first successful applications of this method in complex natural product total synthesis. Last, but not least, we will comment on various aspects of the O‐directed free radical hydrostannation mechanism that have been published by ourselves, and others, and we will discuss all of the factors that can contribute to the observed stereo‐and regio‐chemical outcomes. We will also challenge and refute the recent non‐directed stannylvinyl cation mechanism put forward by Organ, Oderinde and Froese for our reaction, and we will show how it cannot be operating in these exclusively free radical hydrostannations.     

氯离子存在下四苯基卟啉合锰的电化学和现场光谱电化学II. 氧化过程

本文研究了氯离子滴定过程中四苯基卟啉合锰氧化过程的常规循环伏安、薄层循环伏安及现场紫外-可见光谱电化学行为。发现在1摩尔比的Cl^-存在下, 四苯基卟啉合锰经历了Mn(III)/Mn(III)环阳离子自由基及进一步氧化为环两价阳离子的过程, 并伴随有异卟啉生成的后行化学反应, 当2摩尔比的Cl^-存在时, 反应机理转变为Mn(III)/Mn(IV), Mn(IV)/Mn(IV)环阳离子自由基并伴随有异卟啉生成反应的两个氧化步骤。提出了与这一滴定过程相关的氧化还原反应机理。     

Magnetic Modulation in Heteroallene and Heterocumulene Based tert-butyl Nitroxide Diradicals: Spin Delocalization and Conformation Play Crucial Roles

We have theoretically investigated the magnetic properties of heteroallene (>C=C=X−) and heterocumulene (>C=C=C=X−) based tert-butyl nitroxide diradicals (X is P/As). Calculation of magnetic exchange coupling constant (J) shows ferromagnetic interaction in heteroallene based diradicals. Whereas, in heterocumulene based diradicals, tuning of J value from antiferro- to ferro-magnetic state is observed from Z- to E- isomer. Delocalization of spin density from radical site to the coupler (in planar arrangement) is observed in spin distribution analysis which is also advocated by molecular orbital analysis. The typical feature of tert-butyl nitroxide radical creates spin delocalization along with spin polarization within the coupler. The J values of all the diradicals strongly depend on the dihedral angle between radical center and coupler. Magneto-structural correlation shows that the change in dihedral angle tunes the magnetic property for both the Z- and E- isomers of heterocumulenes depending on the spin accumulation on two nearby magnetic centers. The extent of spin delocalization and conformation of spin centers on the molecular axis are important for the different J values observed in our designed systems.     

The radical cation of hydrogen sulfide and related organic reactions

The electrochemical and chemical oxidation (by hinderedo-benzoquinones or NOClO₄) of H₂S in nonaqueous solutions (MeCN) proceeds with the donation of one electron. The formation of the unstable radical cation of hydrogen sulfide was detected by cyclic voltammetry. The radical cation decomposes to form H⁺ and the HS^. radical. The generation of the hydrogen sulfide radical cation was confirmed by ESR spectroscopy in a frozen Freon matrix. The possibility of using the hydrogen sulfide radical cation in the synthesis of organosulfur compounds under mild conditions was studied. The concept of the work was proposed by Prof. O. Yu. Okhlobystin. The first electrochemical experiments were performed when he was alive. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1182–1188, July, 2000.     

Electrochemical and ESR study of the mechanism of oxidation of phenazine-di-N-oxide in the presence of cyclohexanol on glassy carbon and single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes

The mechanism of oxidation of phenazine-di-N-oxide in the presence of cyclohexanol was studied by cyclic voltammetry on glassy carbon (GC) and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) electrodes in 0.1 M LiClO₄ solutions in acetonitrile. The effect of cyclohexanol on the shape of the cyclic voltammograms of phenazine-di-N-oxide and the intensity of the ESR signal of its radical cation was investigated. It was shown by ESR that the products of the one-electron oxidation and reduction of phenazine-di-N-oxide were radical cations and anions. The catalytic currents were recorded during the oxidation of phenazine-di-N-oxide on the SWCNT and GC electrodes in the presence of cyclohexanol. The results were explained in terms of the E₁C₁E₂C₂ mechanism of the two-stage electrode process characterized by the catalytic current recorded at the second electrode stage. The overall two-electron catalytic oxidation of cyclohexanol in the complex with the phenazine-di-N-oxide radical cation was assumed to occur. It was shown that SWCNT electrodes can be used in the electrocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds in the presence of the electrochemically generated phenazine-di-N-oxide radical cation.     

Ferromagnetically Coupled S=1 Chains in Crystals of Verdazyl-Nitronyl Nitroxide Diradicals

Thermally stable organic diradicals with a triplet ground state along with large singlet-triplet energy gap have significant potential for advanced technological applications. A series of phenylene-bridged diradicals with oxoverdazyl and nitronyl nitroxide units were synthesized via a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of iodoverdazyls with a nitronyl nitroxide-2-ide gold(I) complex with high yields. The diradicals exhibit high stability and do not decompose in an inert atmosphere up to 180 °C. For the diradicals, both substantial AF (ΔE_ST≈−64 cm⁻¹) and FM (ΔE_ST≥25 and 100 cm⁻¹) intramolecular exchange interactions were observed. The sign of the exchange interaction is determined both by the bridging moiety (para- or meta-phenylene) and by the type of oxoverdazyl block (C-linked or N-linked). Upon crystallization, diradicals with the triplet ground state form unique one-dimensional exchange-coupled chains with strong intra- and weak inter-diradical ferromagnetic coupling.     

Electron-Transfer-Catalyzed cis → trans Isomerization of 1,1′-Azonorborane. Prototype of a reversible two-stage storage system

ESR and cyclic voltammetry investigations show that isomerization of the radical cation of cis-1,1′-azonorbornane (cis- 1 ) to the trans-radical ion proceeds too fast in solution for direct investigation of the cis-radical ion even at ?78°. The facile isomerization of the radical cation is in agreement with PM 3 calculations proposing an activation barrier of only 17 kJ/mol. As a consequence, quantitative cis → trans isomerization of 1,1′-azonorbornane can effectively be accomplished by addition of catalytic amounts of one-electron oxidants. This is the first evidence for a radical-cation-catalyzed cis → trans isomerization of azo compounds.     

Studies of the Anodic Oxidation of 1,4-Diazabicyclo

The title compound (1) was studied at platinum and gold electrodes in acetonitrile. A reversible oxidation peak occurs at +0.30 V vs the standard potential for ferrocenium ion/ferrocene. This process is followed by a second irreversible anodic peak that is due to the oxidation of the initially formed radical cation to the dication. The principal ultimate product of the first oxidation, the conjugate acid of 1, is also oxidized over the range of potentials corresponding to the second anodic peak. The rate of disappearance of the radical cation of 1 has been determined by cyclic voltammetry. The results are best interpreted in terms of parallel pseudo-first-order decay (k(1) = 0.6 s(-)(1)) and second-order reactions. The first of these second-order reactions is either proton transfer from the radical cation to neutral 1 or hydrogen atom abstraction by the radical cation from neutral 1, reactions that give the same products (k(2) = 100 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) and are kinetically indistinguishable. The other second-order reaction is the hydrogen-atom-transfer disproportionation of the radical cation giving the conjugate acid of 1 and the immonium ion (k(3) = 100 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)). Both second-order processes must be included to account for the results. The present results are thought to be the first experimental evidence for the occurrence of hydrogen-atom-transfer disproportionation of amine radical cations.     

Novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole conjugates derived from protocatechuic acid: Synthesis,antioxidant activity,and computational and electrochemical studies

A series of 15 novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole amide derivatives containing a protocatechuic acid moiety were synthesized and structurally characterized. In addition, the corresponding imino (4) and amino (5) analogues of a phenyl-substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazole amide derivative 3a were prepared to compare the effects of the structural changes on the radical-scavenging activity. The obtained compounds were examined for their antioxidative potential by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. In addition, selected compounds were studied by density functional theory (DFT) and cyclic voltammetry experiments. The tested compounds showed high potential to scavenging DPPH radical and ABTS radical cation compared with the referent antioxidants ascorbic acid and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). On the basis of the calculated thermodynamic parameters, it can be concluded that the sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) mechanism represents the most probable reaction path in a polar solvent for DPPH radical–scavenging activity. On the other hand, the single electron transfer followed by proton transfer (SET-PT) can be a likely mechanistic pathway in the case of an ABTS radical cation.