Hydrogen-bonding catalysis and inhibition by simple solvents in the stereoselective kinetic epoxide-opening spirocyclization of glycal epoxides to form spiroketals

Mechanistic investigations of a MeOH-induced kinetic epoxide-opening spirocyclization of glycal epoxides have revealed dramatic, specific roles for simple solvents in hydrogen-bonding catalysis of this reaction to form spiroketal products stereoselectively with inversion of configuration at the anomeric carbon. A series of electronically tuned C1-aryl glycal epoxides was used to study the mechanism of this reaction based on differential reaction rates and inherent preferences for S(N)2 versus S(N)1 reaction manifolds. Hammett analysis of reaction kinetics with these substrates is consistent with an S(N)2 or S(N)2-like mechanism (ρ = -1.3 vs ρ = -5.1 for corresponding S(N)1 reactions of these substrates). Notably, the spirocyclization reaction is second-order dependent on MeOH, and the glycal ring oxygen is required for second-order MeOH catalysis. However, acetone cosolvent is a first-order inhibitor of the reaction. A transition state consistent with the experimental data is proposed in which one equivalent of MeOH activates the epoxide electrophile via a hydrogen bond while a second equivalent of MeOH chelates the side-chain nucleophile and glycal ring oxygen. A paradoxical previous observation that decreased MeOH concentration leads to increased competing intermolecular methyl glycoside formation is resolved by the finding that this side reaction is only first-order dependent on MeOH. This study highlights the unusual abilities of simple solvents to act as hydrogen-bonding catalysts and inhibitors in epoxide-opening reactions, providing both stereoselectivity and discrimination between competing reaction manifolds. This spirocyclization reaction provides efficient, stereocontrolled access to spiroketals that are key structural motifs in natural products.     

Reaction of singlet oxygen with trans-4-propenylanisole. Formation Of

We report the effects of added acid in the reaction of singlet oxygen with trans-4-propenylanisole (1). We provide evidence that solvent acidity modifies the behavior of the transient intermediates. Relative to reactions in aprotic solvent, enhanced dioxetane concentrations are observed in MeOH and in nonprotic solvents with acid. We suggest a new mechanism that invokes a proton transfer from MeOH and benzoic acid to perepoxide (2) and zwitterion (3) intermediates.     

Singlet oxygen promoted carbon-heteroatom bond cleavage in dibenzyl sulfides and tertiary dibenzylamines. Structural effects and the role of exciplexes

The C-heteroatom cleavage reactions of substituted dibenzyl sulfides and substituted dibenzylcyclohexylamines promoted by singlet oxygen in MeCN have been investigated. In both systems, the cleavage reactions (leading to benzaldehyde and substituted benzaldehyde) were slightly favored by electron-withdrawing substituents with rho values of +0.47 (sulfides) and +0.27 (amines). With dibenzyl sulfides, sulfones were also obtained whereas sulfoxide formation became negligible when the reactions were carried out in the presence of a base. Through a careful product study for the oxidation of dibenzyl sulfide, in the presence and in the absence of Ph2SO, it was established that sulfone and cleavage product (benzaldehyde) do not come by the same route (involving the persulfoxide and the hydroperoxysulfonium ylide) as required by the generally accepted mechanism (Scheme 1) for C-heteroatom cleavage reactions of sulfides promoted by singlet oxygen. On this basis and in light of the similar structural effects noted above it is suggested that dibenzyl sulfides and dibenzylamines form benzaldehydes by a very similar mechanism. The reaction with singlet oxygen leads to an exciplex that can undergo an intracomplex hydrogen atom transfer to produce a radical pair. With sulfides, collapse of the radical pair leads to an alpha-hydroperoxy sulfide than can give benzaldehyde by an intramolecular path as described in Scheme 3. With amines, the radical pair undergoes an electron-transfer reaction to form an iminium cation that hydrolyzes to benzaldehyde. From a kinetic study it has been established that the fraction of exciplex converted to aldehyde is ca. 20% with sulfides and ca. 7% with amines.     

Ternary copper complexes for photocleavage of DNA by red light: direct evidence for sulfur-to-copper charge transfer and d-d band involvement

A new class of ternary copper(II) complexes of formulation [Cu(L(n)B](ClO(4)) (1-4), where HL(n) is a NSO-donor Schiff base (HL(1), HL(2)) and B is a NN-donor heterocyclic base viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), are prepared, structurally characterized, and their DNA binding and photocleavage activities studied in the presence of red light. Ternary complex [Cu(L(3))(phen)](ClO(4)) (5) containing an ONO-donor Schiff base and a binary complex [Cu(L(2))(2)] (6) are also prepared and structurally characterized for mechanistic investigations of the DNA cleavage reactions. While 1-4 have a square pyramidal (4 + 1) CuN(3)OS coordination geometry with the Schiff base bonded at the equatorial sites, 5 has a square pyramidal (4 + 1) geometry with CuN(3)O(2) coordination with the alcoholic oxygen at the axial site, and 6 has a square planar trans-CuN(2)O(2) geometry. Binding of the complexes 1-4 to calf thymus DNA shows the relative order: phen > dmp. Mechanistic investigations using distamycin reveal minor groove binding for the complexes. The phen complexes containing the Schiff base with a thiomethyl or thiophenyl moiety show red light induced photocleavage. The dmp complexes are essentially photonuclease inactive. Complexes 5 and 6 are cleavage inactive under similar photolytic conditions. A 10 microM solution of 1 displays a 72% cleavage of SC DNA (0.5 microg) on an exposure of 30 min using a 603 nm Nd:YAG pulsed laser (60 mJ/P) in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2). Significant cleavage of 1 is also observed at 694 nm using a Ruby laser. Complex 1 is cleavage inactive under argon or nitrogen atmosphere. It shows a more enhanced cleavage in pure oxygen than in air. Enhancement of cleavage in D(2)O and inhibition with sodium azide addition indicate the possibility of the formation of singlet oxygen as a reactive intermediate leading to DNA cleavage. The d-d band excitation with red light shows significant enhancement of cleavage yield. The results indicate that the phen ligand is necessary for DNA binding of the complex. Both the sulfur-to-copper charge transfer band and copper d-d band excitations helped the DNA cleavage. While the absorption of a red photon induces a metal d-d transition, excitation at shorter visible wavelengths leads to the sulfur-to-copper charge transfer band excitation at the initial step of photocleavage. The excitation energy is subsequently transferred to ground state oxygen molecules to produce singlet oxygen that cleaves the DNA.     

Oxidation of A2E results in the formation of highly reactive aldehydes and ketones

It has been reported that the photo-oxidation of A2E, a component of human retinal lipofuscin, leads to products that are toxic to cells via dark reactions. Because these compounds have been implicated in the development of various maculopathies such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), it is important to determine the structures of those deleterious compounds. Both the photo-oxidation and auto-oxidation of A2E lead to the same complex mixture of products, some of which have lower molecular weights than the staring material. Because A2E is homologous to beta-carotene, it was hypothesized that its oxidation would lead to products analogous to those found in oxidized beta-carotene, namely, a series of cleavage products along the acyclic chain with the concomitant formation of aldehydes. This was found to be the case based upon 1) the formation of all of the aldehydes predicted from the oxidation of beta-carotene, 2) the loss of 28 amu (carbonyl moiety) from the molecular ion, 3) the facile reaction of the aldehydes with nitrophenylhydrazines to form nitrophenylhydrazones and 4) the subsequent MS/MS cleavage of those derivatives at the N-N bond. If formed in vivo, these aldehydes would have toxic effects on any cell. Finally, the similarity in product mixtures from both the photo-oxidation and auto-oxidation strongly suggests that the intermolecular photo-oxidation of A2E results primarily from a radical process without the involvement of singlet oxygen. Any formation of singlet oxygen most likely arises from sensitization by the aldehyde oxidation products, as this process is well known for aldehydes, in general, and retinal, specifically.     

SENSITIZED PHOTOOXYGENATION REACTIONS AND THE ROLE OF SINGLET OXYGEN†,‡

Abstract— In this paper we discuss various theoretical and experimental aspects of the role of singlet oxygen in sensitized photooxygenation reactions. New spectroscopic observations on the photosensitized production of singlet oxygen molecules are presented. The various factors which control the generation and reactions of singlet oxygen molecules are considered in detail. A relatively simple theoretical procedure is developed to predict the relative reactivities of ¹σ, ¹δ and ³σ oxygen toward various organic acceptors, and is used to discuss the chemical and photochemical properties of some of the oxygenation products. Finally, the properties of dioxetanes are examined in connection with the role which they may play in chemi- and bioluminescence. While we have said rather little about photodynamic reactions per se , the results presented in this paper strongly support the suggestion that many of the observed photodynamic effects could be due to reactions of singlet oxygen. Clearly a careful reexamination of various photodynamic effects at the molecular level to establish whether or not reactions of singlet oxygen are involved is now in order.     

2-苯基吲哚单重态氧反应机理

本文比较了在甲醇介质下, 2-苯基吲哚(1)单重态氧反应中的捕捉反应以及2-苯基-3H-吲哚-3-酮(4)的亲核加成反应特征。结果显示, 在1的单重态氧反应中, 捕捉反应主要发生于两性离子(2)阶段, 而4并非导致捕捉产物的重要中间体。根据上述事实, 结合有关反应溶剂极性效应的研究结果, 对反应机理进行了探讨。     

Singlet Oxygen Quenching by Resveratrol Derivatives†

We investigated the singlet oxygen quenching ability of several derivatives of trans-resveratrol which have been reported to have significant antioxidant ability, including photoprotective activity. We measured the total rate constants of singlet oxygen removal (k_T) by the methylated resveratrol derivative 1,3-dimethoxy-5-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene, and the partially methylated resveratrol derivatives 4-((E)-2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl)phenol (pterostilbene), 5-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene-1,3-diol and (2R,3R)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one (dihydromyricetin). A protic solvent system results in higher k_T values, except for the completely methylated derivative. We also investigated the ability of trans-resveratrol to directly act as a photosensitizer (rather than via secondary photoproducts resulting from other primary photochemical reactions) for the production of singlet oxygen but found that neither resveratrol nor any of its derivatives are able to do so. We then studied the chemical reactions of the methylated derivative with singlet oxygen. The main pathway consists of a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction involving the trans-double bond and the para-substituted benzene ring similar to what has been observed for trans-resveratrol. Unlike trans-resveratrol, the primary singlet oxygen product undergoes a second [4 + 2] cycloaddition with singlet oxygen leading to the formation of diendoperoxides. A second reactivity pathway for both trans-resveratrol and the methylated derivative leads to the formation of aldehydes via cleavage of a transient dioxetane.     

Dithiaporphyrin derivatives as photosensitizers in membranes and cells

We synthesized a series of analogues of 5,20-diphenyl-10,15-bis(4-carboxylatomethoxy)phenyl-21,23-dithiaporphyrin (I) as potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The photosensitizers differ in the length of the side chains that bind the carboxyl to the phenol at positions 10 and 15 of the thiaporphyrin. The spectroscopic, photophysical, and biophysical properties of these photosensitizers are reported. The structural changes have almost no effect on the excitation/emission spectra with respect to I's spectra or on singlet oxygen generation in MeOH. All of the photosensitizers have a very high, close to 1.00, singlet oxygen quantum yield in MeOH. On the contrary, singlet oxygen generation in liposomes was considerably affected by the structural change in the photosensitizers. The photosensitizers possessing short side chains (one and three carbons) showed high quantum yields of around 0.7, whereas the photosensitizers possessing longer side chains showed smaller quantum yield, down to 0.14 for compound X (possessing side-chain length of 10 carbons), all at 1 microM. Moreover a self-quenching process of singlet oxygen was observed, and the quantum yield decreased as the photosensitizer's concentration increased. We measured the binding constant of I to liposomes and found Kb = 23.3 +/- 1.6 (mg/mL)-1. All the other photosensitizers with longer side chains exhibited very slow binding to liposomes, which prevented us from assessing their Kb's. We carried out fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements to determine the relative depth in which each photosensitizer is intercalated in the liposome bilayer. We found that the longer the side chain the deeper the photosensitizer core is embedded in the bilayer. This finding suggests that the photosensitizers are bound to the bilayer with their acid ends close to the aqueous medium interface and their core inside the bilayer. We performed PDT with the dithiaporphyrins on U937 cells and R3230AC cells. We found that the dark toxicity of the photosensitizers with the longer side chain (X, VI, V) is significantly higher than the dark toxicity of sensitizers with shorter side chains (I, III, IV). Phototoxicity measurements showed the opposite direction; the photosensitizers with shorter side chains were found to be more phototoxic than those with longer side chains. These differences are attributed to the relationship between diffusion and endocytosis in each photosensitizer, which determines the location of the photosensitizer in the cell and hence its phototoxicity.     

Photochemistry of A1E, a retinoid with a conjugated pyridinium moiety: competition between pericyclic photooxygenation and pericyclization

The photochemistry of the retinoid analogue A1E shows an oxygen and solvent dependence. Irradiation of A1E with visible light (lambda(irr) = 425 nm) in methanol solutions resulted in pericyclization to form pyridinium terpenoids. Although the quantum yield for this cyclization is low (approximately 10(-4)), nevertheless the photochemical transformation occurs with quantitative chemical yield with remarkable chemoselectivity and diastereoselectivity. Conversely, irradiation of A1E under the same irradiation conditions in air-saturated carbon tetrachloride or deuterated chloroform produced a cyclic 5,8-peroxide as the major product. Deuterium solvent effects, experiments utilizing endoperoxide, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence quenching studies strongly support the involvement of singlet oxygen in the endoperoxide formation. It is proposed that, upon irradiation, in the presence of oxygen, A1E acts as a sensitizer for generation of singlet oxygen from triplet oxygen present in the solution; the singlet oxygen produced reacts with A1E to produce cyclic peroxide. Thus, the photochemistry of A1E is characterized by two competing reactions, cyclization and peroxide formation. The dominant reaction is determined by the concentration of oxygen, the concentration of A1E, and the lifetime of singlet oxygen in the solvent employed. If the lifetime of singlet oxygen in a given solvent is long enough, then oxidation (peroxide formation) is the major reaction. If the singlet oxygen produced is quenched by the protonated solvent molecules faster than singlet oxygen reacts with A1E, then cyclization dominates.     

Photooxygenation of 5-dialkylamino-4-pyrrolin-3-ones. Synthesis of highly functionalized ureas, 2-oxazolidinones, and 2-oxazolinones

5-Dialkylamino-4-pyrrolin-3-ones, available from cyclocondensation of amidines with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), undergo rapid singlet oxygenation to give highly functionalized ureas by way of a 1,2-dioxetane cleavage of the initially formed [2 + 2] cycloadducts. These latter compounds undergo cyclization to 2-oxazolidinones in MeOH. Catalytic hydrogenation of the ureas in EtOAc gives 2-oxazolinones. The DBU-DMAD adduct undergoes photooxygenation by an entirely different pathway to give a large ring heterocycle.     

Inside vs "Outside" photooxygenation reactions: singlet-oxygen-mediated surface passivation of polymer films

Films of poly(acrylonitrile- co-2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) were exposed to singlet oxygen. The extent of polymer oxygenation was monitored for singlet oxygen generated (1) within the polymer film and (2) at the polymer surface in an aqueous medium. When singlet oxygen is generated within the film, oxygenation of the polymer is pronounced and extensive. When singlet oxygen is generated at the polymer surface, oxygenation reactions are limited to the surface. The data suggest that the initial oxygenation reactions at the film surface passivate the polymer against further reaction with singlet oxygen and, hence, also minimize the progressively detrimental effects of secondary reactions. These results indicate that one should exercise restraint when implicating singlet oxygen as a reactive species in some processes of polymer oxygenation.     

PHOTOSENSITIZED OXYGENATION OF CARBONYL STABILIZED SULFUR AND PYRIDINIUM YLIDS, AND RELATED DIAZO COMPOUNDS. CARBON-SULFUR AND NITROGEN BOND CLEAVAGES

Abstract— The dye sensitized photooxygenation of sulfur and pyridinium ylids proceeds by way of singlet oxygen under the reaction conditions studied. The most remarkable results were that dimethyl sulfoxide and pyridine were obtained in the photooxygenations of oxosulfonium and pyridinium methy-lids, respectively. as the major cleavage products. These results suggested that the 1,2-dioxetane like intermediates were not significant ones in these reactions. The oxygenation reactions in the presence of diphenyl sulfide which was known as the most unreactive one to singlet oxygen afforded diphenyl sulfoxide efficiently. A new type of intermediate instead of 1,2-dioxetane. that can monooxygenate the substrate may be formed. Photosensitized oxygenations of corresponding diazo compounds were also studied.     

The Reaction of Singlet Oxygen with Adamantylideneadamantane Mediated by Rose Bengal

The photo-oxygenation of adamantylideneadamantane ( 1 ) on siliceous supports using admixed granules of ion-exchange resin fixed to methylene blue (MB) and rose bengal (RB) gave exclusively the corresponding dioxetane derivative 2 for the former sensitizer, while the latter gave 2 and traces of the epoxide 3. RB and the charge-transfer complex produced from N-ethylcarbazole and 2,4,5,6-tetranitrofluoren-9-one both reacted with chemically generated singlet oxygen to give superoxide radical anion. Trapping of the latter with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline 1-oxide gave an adduct exhibiting a characteristic ESR spectrum. The treatment of 1 in MeOH with 30% aqueous H₂O₂ for 22 h at 60° gave 3 in 100% yield. Repetition of this experiment in the presence of 2,6-di(tert-butyl)-p-cresol caused no significant change. These results indicate that singlet oxygen reacts with 1 , in the presence of RB, by two different processes. The first leads to dioxetane formation. The second process involves conversion of singlet oxygen by RB to superoxide radical anion which subsequently gives H₂O₂ so producing epoxide 3 from 1 .     

Dicyanoanthracene sensitized photo-oxygenation of olefins : Electron transfer and singlet oxygen mechanisms

Cyanoaromatic sensitizers, in particular 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA), sensitize the photo-oxygenation of olefins by two distinct mechanisms. In the case of aryl substituted olefins (OL), which react extremely slowly (if at all) with singlet oxygen, the reaction proceeds by way of electron transfer to produce discrete radical ions (DCA^-and OL⁺). In the presence of oxygen, this ionic process results, ultimately, in the cleavage of the olefin to carbonyl compounds along with production of some epoxide and other minor by-products. Aromatic ethers can interfere with this process by reducing the radical cation by electron transfer, resulting in net quenching of the reaction. With simple alkenes the DCA-sensitized reaction takes a different course, producing hydroperoxide products with distributions which are very similar to those obtained with the singlet oxygen ene reaction. Careful study has shown that this reaction does, indeed, proceed by way of singlet oxygen, which is produced by at least two mechanisms : (1) enhanced intersystem crossing, in which ¹DCA is quenched by interaction with the olefin, leading to a low yield of ³DCA, which subsequently reacts with oxygen to produce singlet oxygen; and (2) direct reaction of ¹DCA with oxygen. At limiting high oxygen concentration, this process produces 2 mol of singlet oxygen for each mol of ¹DCA quenched; the mechanism involves energy transfer to produce ³DCA and 1 mol of singlet oxygen ; the ³DCA reacts again with oxygen to produce a second mol of singlet oxygen. The complex kinetic behaviour of simple olefins in the presence of DCA can be satisfactorily rationalized by these mechanisms.     

Metal-Free,Visible-Light-Induced Selective C−C Bond Cleavage of Cycloalkanones with Molecular Oxygen

A metal-free, visible-light-induced oxidative C−C bond cleavage of cycloketones with molecular oxygen is described. Cooperative Brønsted-acid catalysis and photocatalysis enabled selective C−C bond cleavage of cycloketones to generate an array of γ-, δ- and ϵ-keto esters under very mild conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate that singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂) is responsible for this transformation.     

Mechanism of an alcohol-trapping reaction in the direct and benzophenone-sensitized photodenitrogenation of a spiroepoxy-substituted azoalkane: solvent effects and stereochemical deuterium labeling

The spin-state-dependent reactivity, singlet versus triplet, of the 2-spiroepoxy-1,3-cyclopentane-1,3-diyl DR2 has been assessed through alcohol-trapping reactions for which the effect of solvent acidity on the product distribution of the alcohol trapping products 2 versus 3 + 4 and stereochemical deuterium-labeling studies have been performed. The proposed mechanism for the solvent effect on the product ratio (2/3 + 4) reveals the importance of the hydrogen-bonded intermediates I1 and I2 in the trapping reactions; the stereochemical deuterium-labeling results clarify the dipole structure trapped by the alcohol. The dipoles DP1 and DP2, in which the configuration between the epoxide oxygen and the deuterium atoms is retained, are inferred for the direct photodenitrogenation reactions (singlet state), whereas for the benzophenone-sensitized photoreactions (triplet state), after ISC, the ring-opened dipole DP3 is implied as the intermediate that is trapped by the alcohol.     

The Photochemistry of the Retinoids as Studied by Steady-State and Pulsed Methods

The retina and retinal pigment epithelium contain a number of retinoids in a metabolic pathway that eventually forms the visual pigments. This study investigates the photochemistry of those retinoids that may contribute to light-induced damage to the retina. These include retinal (RAL), retinol (ROL), retinylpalmitate (ROLpal) and the protonated Schiff-base of retinal (RAL.,). Their photochemistry was followed by both EPR spin-trapping techniques and the direct detection of singlet oxygen via its luminescence at 1270 nm. Irradiation (>300 nm) of RAL, ROL in methanol (MeOH) or RALpal in dimeth-ylformamide, produces free radicals from both solvents. Illumination of RAL., in MeOH containing NADH with light above 400 nm (and even above 455 nm) generates the superoxide radical. We also determined that the quantum yields for singlet oxygen sensitization by RAL, ROL or RALpal in MeOH are 0.05, 0.03 and 4.01, respectively. These values are at least 75% less than those previously found using chemical methods. These observations indicate that a major photochemical process for these retinoids may be an electron (or hydrogen) process that will lead to radical products, and that the singlet oxygen mechanism is of relatively minor importance in protic solvents. These results may explain the action spectra obtained from light-induced damage to the retina.     

Competition between singlet state photoreduction and triplet state photodimerization of dimethyl 3-dehydrogibberellenate

Photolysis of dilute solutions (10^-4M) of dimethyl 3-dehydrogibberellenate 1, in MeOH, EtOH, i-PrOH, t-BuOH and 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethanol, showed that while the last two solutions underwent photodimerization reactions only; the other solutions gave photoreduction products 2 and 3, besides some photodimerization product. It is further shown that while photodimerization proceeded through triplet excited state, photo-reduction, surprisingly, proceeded only through singlet excited state.     

Singlet oxygen production in the reaction of superoxide with organic peroxides

[reaction: see text] A selective chemiluminescent probe for singlet oxygen has been employed to detect and quantify singlet oxygen in the reactions of superoxide with organic peroxides. The production of singlet oxygen has been quantified in the reaction of superoxide with benzoyl peroxide (BP). No singlet oxygen was detected in the reactions of superoxide with cumyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroxide, or tert-butyl hydroperoxide. On the basis of these results and on the temperature dependence of the reaction, we proposed a mechanism for singlet oxygen formation in the reaction of superoxide with BP.