PRIMARY PRODUCTS IN THE FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF TRYPTOPHAN*

There has been considerable interest in the photochemistry of tryptophan in connection with ultraviolet inactivation of enzymes. Earlier flash photolysis work has demonstrated that the hydrated electron (e^-_aq) is an initial product in the irradiation of indole derivatives, accompanied by a longer-lived transient absorption near 500 nm attributed to an aromatic radical species[1–5]. Similar transients were observed in a recent flash photolysis study of lysozyme[6] in which it was proposed that inactivation is a consequence of electron ejection from 1 to 2 essential tryptophan residues in the active center. However, there has been uncertainty concerning the tryptophan radical structure and its relationship to the triplet state and radical spectra reported for tryptophan photolysis in low-temperature rigid media. This note reports a flash photolysis investigation of L-tryptophan (Trp) and 1-Methyl-L-tryptophan (1-MeTrp) undertaken to clarify these points. The flash photolysis apparatus and methods employed are described in Ref. [6].     

Laser flash photolysis of tert-butyl aroylperbenzoates: kinetics of the singlet and triplet states and the aroylphenyl radicals

tert-Butyl aroylperbenzoates (1-4) were studied by laser flash photolysis (LFP). LFP (380 nm, pulse width approximately 350 fs) of 2 and 3 allowed direct observation of their singlet states, which showed broad absorption (lambda(max) approximately 625 nm; tau approximately 20 and approximately 7.9 ps, respectively). The triplet state of each (lambda(max) approximately 530-560 nm) rapidly dissociates by O-O cleavage as indicated by the short triplet lifetimes (e.g., triplet lifetime of 3 approximately 0.74 ns). The approximately 550 nm absorption obtained from the 355 nm LFP (pulse width approximately 7 ns) of 1, 2, and 4 has been assigned to the corresponding aroylphenyl radicals. Two representative radicals (4-benzoylphenyl 5 and 3-(4'-methylbenzoyl)phenyl 6) investigated in detail showed solvent-dependent lifetimes. Absolute bimolecular rate constants of reactions of these radicals with various quenchers including double-bond-containing monomers have been observed to range from 7.56 x 10(7) to 1.68 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) in CCl(4) at room temperature. A possible structure of the aroylphenyl radicals and the transition responsible for the 550 nm absorption are discussed.     

THE PHOTOREDUCTION OF FLAVINS BY AMINO ACIDS AND EDTA. A CONTINUOUS AND FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY

Abstract— Primary and secondary photochemical processes in oxygen-free aqueous solution have been characterised for FMN alone and in the presence of EDTA and four amino acids using nanosecond and microsecond flash photolysis and continuous photolysis techniques. The relative contributions of oneelectron and two-electron (group or hydride transfer) reactions to the deactivation of the triplet has been determined by comparing the radical concentration (560 nm) with the bleaching of the ground state (446 nm). It was concluded that one-electron reactions (hydrogen atom or electron abstraction) are the major mode of reactivity of the flavin triplet state with all the suhstrates studied.
The nature of the reactions of the flavin semiquinone radical have been studied quantitatively by microsecond flash photolysis. These secondary reactions consist of either a 'back reaction' between the flavin and substrate radicals (tryptophan or glycyl-tyrosine) or the transfer of a second electron (or hydrogen atom) from the substrate radical to the flavin radical (EDTA, methionine and possibly cysteine) to form reduced flavin and oxidised substrate. From a comparison of the quantum yields of formation of reduced flavin using 'flash' and continuous irradiation, an additional pathway for the decay of the flavin radical is suggested to occur at low light intensities in the presence of glycyl-tyrosine or histidine.     

PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF FLAVINS—I. CONVENTIONAL AND LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY OF ALLOXAZINE

Abstract— The photobleaching of alloxazine in buffered aqueous solution has been studied by means of flash photolysis using conventional and laser excitation sources. Several transient species have been characterized. The alloxazine triplet state (Λ_max 420 nm and 550 nm, times; = 9 μs) was identified with the aid of low-temperature comparison experiments in ethanol. Transient absorption with Λ_max 440 nm, which appears after decay of the triplet state, and whose second-order decay is pH-dependent, is postulated to be due to the semiquinone radical (AH₂*) and a radical derived from alloxazine by addition of water and loss of a hydrogen atom (HAOH*), which are in equilibrium with their conjugate cation radicals. The results of experiments in the presence of oxygen indicate that these species are not primarily formed from the triplet state. The enhanced second-order decay of the flavin radicals in oxygen-containing solutions is interpreted in terms of their reaction with the peroxy radicals. The proposed mechanisms account for the production of hydroxylated alloxazines.     

Avoiding One-Electron Oxidation of Biomolecules by 3,4-Dihydroxy-L-Phenylalanine (DOPA)†

It has been proposed that 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (DOPA) has antioxidant properties, and thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of adding DOPA during the photosensitized oxidation of tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp), histidine (His), 2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-monophosphate (dGMP) and 2′-deoxyadenosine 5′-monophosphate (dAMP). It was observed that, upon pterin-photosensitized degradation of a given biomolecule in acidic aqueous solutions, the rate of the biomolecule consumption decreases due to the presence of DOPA. Although DOPA deactivates the excited states of pterin (Ptr), biomolecules do as well, being the bimolecular quenching constants in the diffusional control limit, indicating that DOPA antioxidant mechanism is not a simple deactivation of Ptr excited states. Laser flash photolysis experiments provide evidence of the formation of DOPA radical (DOPA(–H)^•, λ_MAX 310 nm), which is formed in a timescale longer than Ptr triplet excited state (³Ptr*) lifetime, ruling out its formation in a reaction between DOPA and ³Ptr*. The experimental results presented in this work indicate that the observed decrease on the rate of each biomolecule consumption due to the presence of DOPA is through a second one-electron transfer reaction from DOPA to the biomolecule radicals.     

Evaluation of Transient Absorption Spectra of N, N, N′, N′- Tetra - ( p -methylphenyl ) - 4, 4′- diamino - 1, 1′- diphenyl Ether ( TPDAE ) for Electron Transfer from TPDAE to Fullerenes ( C60 / C70 ) by Laser Flash Photolysis

Photoinduced electron transfer processes between fullerenes (C60 / C70) and N, N, N′, N′- tetra - ( p-methylphenyl ) - 4, 4′- diamino - 1, 1′- diphenyl ether ( TPDAE ) have been studied by nanosecond laser flash photolysis. Quantum yields and rate constants of electron transfer from TPDAE to excited triplet state of fullerenes (C60 / C70 ) in benzonitrile have been evaluated by observing the transient absorption bands in the near-IR region where the excited triplet state, radical anion of fullerenes ( C60 / C70 ) and radical cations of TPDAE appear.     

Photochemistry and photopolymerization activity of novel perester derivatives of fluorenone: a conventional and laser flash photolysis study

The photochemistry of three novel t-butylperester derivatives of fluorenone was examined and compared with unsubstituted fluorenone and a mono-t-butylperester of benzophenone using both conventional microsecond and nanosecond laser flash photolysis. On conventional microsecond flash photolysis in 2-propanol, all four fluorenone compounds gave transient absorption in the region 300–400 nm due to a ketyl radical formed from the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the solvent by the upper excited triplet n—π* state of the fluorenone chromophore. This assignment was confirmed by a pH-dependent study on the transient absorption spectra. The nitro-t-butylperester derivative of fluorenone gave additional absorption above 400 nm due to species associated with the nitro group. No evidence for benzoyloxy radical formation could be found in non-hydrogen-atom-donating solvents with microsecond flash photolysis which is associated with homolysis of the perester groups. On nanosecond laser flash photolysis of the fluorenone compounds at 355 nm excitation in acetonitrile and hexa-fluorobenzene, transient absorptions were observed in the region 320–640 nm due to the corresponding triplet states. All the t-butylperester derivatives showed residual absorbances at longer time delays which were tentatively assigned to the corresponding benzoyloxy radicals produced by homolysis of the perester groups. In contrast, the mono-t-butylperester of benzophenone, included for comparison only, showed very weak transient absorption in the region 320–640 nm compared with that of the strong triplet of benzophenone under the same excitation conditions. The triplet absorptions and lifetimes of the fluorenone compounds were correlated with their photopolymerization activities in bulk methylmethacrylate monomer. In oxygenated solutions, the triplet absorptions of fluorenone and benzophenone were effectively quenched; however, long-lived transient growths were observed for all the t-butylperester derivatives. The intensities of these novel transient absorptions appear to correlate with the total number of t-butylperester groups in the fluorenone molecule and tentative assignments are discussed.     

Photoreactivity of biologically active compounds. XVI. Formation and reactivity of free radicals in mefloquine

The formation and reactivity of the triplet state and free radicals of mefloquine hydrochloride (MQ) have been investigated by pulse radiolysis and flash photolysis. The excited triplet, cation radical and anion radical have been produced and their absorption characteristics determined. The triplet-triplet absorption spectrum of MQ showed a maximum at 430 nm, with a molar absorption coefficient of 3600 M(-1) cm(-1) and the quantum yield for intersystem crossing was determined to be close to unity. Deactivation of the triplet, in the absence of oxygen, led to the formation of MQ cation and/or anion radicals. The molar absorption coefficient of the cation radical at 330 nm was determined to be 2300 M(-1) cm(-1), whilst that for the anion radical was 2400 M(-1) cm(-1) at 620 nm and 3600 M(-1) cm(-1) at 350 nm. The molar absorption coefficients of the proposed neutral radical at 320 nm and 520 nm were 4000 M(-1) cm(-1) and 1300 M(-1) cm(-1) respectively. The quantum yield for the formation of singlet oxygen, sensitized by MQ triplet, was determined to be close to unity. Aqueous solutions of MQ were found to photoionize to yield hydrated electron and cation radical of MQ in a biphotonic process. The influences of pH, buffer concentration, oxygen concentration and addition of sodium azide on the formation and reactivity of the transients were evaluated. The reactions between MQ and solvated electrons and superoxide anion were also studied.     

Formation and reactivity of free radicals in 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde--the effect on isoprenaline photostability

Solutions of glucose are used as diluents for drugs in various drug infusions. When sterilized by heat small amounts of the substance 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) is produced from glucose. At a hospital ward such infusions may be exposed to irradiation; including UV-light. The photoreactivity of the furaldehyde is investigated. It is shown to photodestabilize the catecholamine isoprenaline. It is shown to be a producer, but also a consumer, of singlet oxygen. The excited triplet, cation and anion radical have been produced by pulse radiolysis and flash photolysis and their absorbance characteristics have been determined. The triplet absorption spectrum showed absorption bands at 320 and 430 nm with molar absorption coefficients of 4700 and 2600 M-1 cm-1, respectively. The anion radical showed absorption bands at 330 and 420 nm with molar absorption coefficients of 2000 and 300 M-1 cm-1, respectively. The cation radical had an absorption band at 320 nm with a molar absorption coefficient of 5000 M-1 cm-1. The quantum yield for the production of singlet oxygen, sensitized by the 5-HMF triplet, was determined to be 0.6, whilst the quantum yield for the triplet formation was 1.0. Aqueous solutions of 5-HMF were found to photoionize to yield the hydrated electron and the cation radical of 5-HMF in a biphotonic process. The influences of pH, buffer and glucose on the formation of transients were evaluated. The reactions between 5-HMF and the solvated electron, the hydroxyl radical and the superoxide were also studied.     

RADICAL CATION PRODUCTION IN THE PHOTOLYSIS OF 5-M-ETHOXY-1-M-ETHYLINDOLE

Abstract— The flash photolysis of 5-m-ethoxy-1-m-ethylindole in aqueous media was studied for the purpose of assigning the absorption spectrum of the radical cation. Transients produced in this study were analogous to those formed in the photolysis of 5-m-ethoxyindole. The major transient observed with an absorption maximum of 460 nm was O₂-s_-ensitive and had a lifetime of 20 μs in nitrogen saturated solutions. One radical species is produced with absorption maxima at 445 and 530 nm. Ionic strength effects on the reaction of this species with I⁻ confirms that it is the radical cation of 5-m-ethoxy-l-methylindole. The effect of H⁺ and Br⁻ on the fluorescence, radical cation and triplet yields is discussed in relation to the mechanism of transient formation.     

Photochemical Reaction Between 1,2‐Naphthoquinone and Adenine in Binary Water‐Acetonitrile Solutions

The photochemical reaction between 1,2‐naphthoquinone (NQ ) and adenine was investigated using nanosecond time‐resolved laser flash photolysis. With photolysis at 355 nm, the lowest triplet state T₁ of NQ was produced via intersystem crossing from its singlet excited state. The triplet‐triplet absorption of the state contributes three bands of transient spectra at 374, 596 and 650 nm, respectively, in pure acetonitrile and binary water‐acetonitrile solutions. In the presence of adenine, the observation of ⁺ (at 363 nm) and radical (at 343 and 485 nm) indicates a multistep mechanism of electron transfer process followed by a proton transfer between ³NQ * and adenine. By fitting with the Stern‐Volmer relationship, the quenching rate constant k _q of ³NQ * by adenine in binary water‐acetonitrile solutions (4/1, volume ratio, v/v) is determined as 1.66 × 10⁹ m ⁻¹ s⁻¹. Additionally, no spectral evidence confirms the existence of electron transfer between ³NQ * with thymine, cytosine and uracil.     

Photoreduction of Azaoxoisoaporphines by Amines: Laser Flash and Steady‐State Photolysis and Pulse Radiolysis Studies

Photoreduction of 7H‐benzo[e]perimidin‐7‐one (3‐AOIA, A1) and its 2‐methyl derivative (2‐Me‐3‐AOIA, A2) by non‐H‐donating amines (1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane [DABCO]; 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine [TMP]), and a hydrogen‐donating amine (triethylamine [TEA]), has been studied in deaerated neat acetonitrile solutions using laser flash photolysis (LFP) and steady‐state photolysis. The triplet excited states of A1 and A2 were characterized by a strong absorption band with λ_max = 440 nm and lifetimes of 20 and 27 μs respectively. In the presence of tertiary amines, both triplet excited states were quenched with rate constants close to the diffusional limit (k_q ranged between 10⁹ and 10¹⁰ M^?1 s^?1). The transient absorption spectra observed after quenching with DABCO and TMP were characterized by maxima located at 460 nm and broad shoulders in the range of 500–600 nm. These transient species are attributed to solvent‐separated radical ion pairs and/or to isolated radical anions. In the presence of TEA, these transients undergo proton transfer, leading to the neutral hydrogenated radicals, protonated over the N1‐ and O‐atoms. Transient absorption spectra of these transients were characterized by maxima located at 400 and 520 nm and 430 nm respectively. Additional support for these spectral assignments was provided by pulse radiolysis (PR) experiments in acetonitrile and 2‐propanol solutions.     

Photoinduced Electron Transfer between N,N, Nr,N' ‐Tetra‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐4, 4‐diamino‐1, 1'‐diphenyl Ether (TPDAE) and Fullerenes (C60/C70) by Laser Flash Photolysis

The photoinduced electron‐transfer reaction of N, N, N', N'‐tetra‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐4,4'‐diamino‐1,1'‐diphenyl ether (TPDAE) and fullerenes (C₆₀/C₇₀) by nanosecond laser flash photolysis occurred in benzonitrile. Transient absorption spectral measurements were carried out during 532 nm laser flash photolysis of a mixture of the fullerenes (C₆₀/C₇₀) and TPDAE. The electron transfer from the TPDAE to excited triplet state of the fullerenes (C₆₀/C₇₀) quantum yields and rate constants of electron transfer from TPDAE to excited triplet state of fullerenes (C₆₀/C₇₀) in benzonitrile have been evaluated by observing the transient absorption bands in the near‐IR region where the excited triplet state, radical anion of fullerenes (C₆₀/C₇₀) and radical cations of TPDAE are expected to appear.     

Laser photolysis of interaction of poly-guanylic acid (5'''') with anthraquinone-2-sulfonate

The electron transfer reaction between triplet anthraquinone-2-sulfonate and poly-guanylic acid (5') in CH3CN-H2O (97 : 3) has been investigated by 248 nm (KrF) laser flash photolysis. The transient absorption spectra and kinetics obtained from the interaction of triplet anthraquinone-2-sulfonate and poly[G] demonstrate that the primary ionic radical pair, radical cation of poly[G] and radical anion of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate have been detected simultaneously. The free energy changes in the process of the electron transfer were also calculated.     

Primary Photoprocesses in a Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Sarafloxacin†

The photophysical properties of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic sarafloxacin (SFX) were investigated in aqueous media. SFX in water, at pH 7.4, shows intense absorption with peaks at 272, 322 and 335 nm, (? = 36800 and 17000 dm³ mol^?1 cm^?1, respectively). Both the absorption and emission properties of SFX are pH‐dependent; pK_a values for the protonation equilibria of both the ground (5.8 and 9.1) and excited singlet states (5.7 and 9.0) of SFX were determined spectroscopically. SFX fluoresces weakly, the quantum yield for fluorescence emission being maximum (0.07) at pH 8. Laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis studies have been carried out in order to characterize the transient species of SFX in aqueous solution. Triplet–triplet absorption has a maximum at 610 nm with a molar absorption coefficient of 17,000 ± 1000 dm³ mol^?1 cm^?1. The quantum yield of triplet formation has been determined to be 0.35 ± 0.05. In the presence of oxygen, the triplet reacts to form excited singlet oxygen with quantum yield of 0.10. The initial triplet (³A*) was found to react with phosphate buffer to form triplet ³B* with lower energy and longer lifetime and having an absorption band centered at 700 nm. SFX triplet was also found to oxidize tryptophan to its radical with concomitant formation of the anion radical of SFX. Hence the photosensitivity of SFX could be initiated by the oxygen radicals and/or by SFX radicals acting as haptens.     

Laser photolysis of interaction of poly-guanylic acid (5′) with anthraquinone-2-sulfonate

The electron transfer reaction between triplet anthraquinone-2-sulfonate and poly- guanylic acid (5′) in CH3CN-H2O (97:3) has been investigated by 248 nm (KrF) laser flash photolysis. The transient absorption spectra and kinetics obtained from the interaction of triplet anthraquinone-2-sulfonate and poly[G] demonstrate that the primary ionic radical pair, radical cation of poly[G] and radical anion of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate have been detected simultaneously. The free energy changes in the process of the electron transfer were also calculated.     

Competition between alpha-cleavage and energy transfer in alpha-azidoacetophenones

Molecular modeling demonstrates that the first excited state of the triplet ketone (T1K) in azide 1b has a (pi,pi*) configuration with an energy that is 66 kcal/mol above its ground state and its second excited state (T2K) is 10 kcal/mol higher in energy and has a (n,pi*) configuration. In comparison, T1K and T2K of azide 1a are almost degenerate at 74 and 77 kcal/mol above the ground state with a (n,pi*) and (pi,pi*) configuration, respectively. Laser flash photolysis (308 nm) of azide 1b in methanol yields a transient absorption (lambdamax=450 nm) due to formation of T1K, which decays with a rate of 2.1 x 105 s-1 to form triplet alkylnitrene 2b (lambdamax=320 nm). The lifetime of nitrene 2b was measured to be 16 ms. In contrast, laser flash photolysis (308 nm) of azide 1a produced transient absorption spectra due to formation of nitrene 2a (lambdamax=320 nm) and benzoyl radical 3a (lambdamax=370 nm). The decay of 3a is 2 x 105 s-1 in methanol, whereas nitrene 2a decays with a rate of approximately 91 s-1. Thus, T1K (pi,pi*) in azide 1b leads to energy transfer to form nitrene 2b; however, alpha-cleavage is not observed since the energy of T2K (n,pi*) is 10 kcal/mol higher in energy than T1K, and therefore, T2K is not populated. In azide 1a both alpha-cleavage and energy transfer are observed from T1K (n,pi*) and T2K (pi,pi*), respectively, since these triplet states are almost degenerate. Photolysis of azide 1a yields mainly product 4, which must arise from recombination of benzoyl radicals 3a with nitrenes 2a. However, products studies for azide 1b also yield 4b as the major product, even though laser flash photolysis of azide 1b does not indicate formation of benzoyl radical 3b. Thus, we hypothesize that benzoyl radicals 3 can also be formed from nitrenes 2. More specifically, nitrene 2 does undergo alpha-photocleavage to form benzoyl radicals and iminyl radicals. The secondary photolysis of nitrenes 2 is further supported with molecular modeling and product studies.     

富勒烯(C60／C70)与N，N，N’，N’-四-(对甲苯基)-4，4’-二胺-1，1’-二苯硒醚(TPDASe)间光诱导电子转移过程的激光光解研究

富勒烯(C60／C70)与N，N，N’，N’-四-(对甲苯基)-4，4’-二胺-1，1’-二 苯硒醚(TPDASe)间在激光光诱导条件下，发生了分子间的电子转移过程．在可见- 近红外区(600-1200nm)，观测到了TPDASe阳离子自由基、富勒烯(C60／C70)激发三 线态和阴离子自由基，在苯腈溶液中，观测瞬态谱测定了电子从TPDASe转移到富勒 烯(C60／C70)激发三线态的量子转化产率(Φet^T)和电子转移常数(Ket)．     

Preparation and photochemical properties of poly[2-(4-benzoylphenyl)-2-(4-propenoylphenyl)-propane] and its copolymer with styrene

2-(4-Benzoylphenyl)-2-phenyl propane ( 4 ) was prepared by benzoylation of 2,2-diphenylpropane ( 2 ). Acylation of ( 4 ) with 3-chloropropanoic chloride gave 2-(4-benzoylphenyl)-2-(4-propenoylphenyl)propane ( 5 ). A monomer 2-(4-benzoylphenyl)-2-(4-propenoylphenyl)propane ( 6 ) was prepared through dehydrochlorination of ( 5 ). The homopolymer of 6 (P6) and the copolymer with styrene ( P6 / S) were prepared by radical polymerization. Laser flash photolysis was employed to determine the absorption and emission spectra of transients, their lifetimes (τ) and the rate constant (k_q) of triplet quenching in benzene at laboratory temperature for 4 , P6 , and P6 / S. P6 exhibits a transient absorption maximum in a different spectral region than do the model 4 and copolymer P6/S . The products of k_q and τ determined by laser flash photolysis for these transients are higher than th Stern–Volmer constants based on inhibition of degradation. Degradation leading to formation of quenchers is the likely cause of this difference although crosslinking may also contribute. Irradiation of polymers ( P6 and P6/S ) at 366 nm leads to main chain scission with aquantum yield of 0.13 under N₂ for P6 and 0.03 for P6/S . In this bichromophoric structural unit, the benzophenone residue absorbs about 80–90% of the incident energy. Its triplet energy is about 5 kJ mol^?1 lower than that of the 1-(4-alkylphenyl)-2-propene-1-one chromophore. Different possible pathways of degradation are discussed namely the Norrish Type II reaction of the alkyl aryl ketone and direct reaction of triplet benzophenone with the main chain. In the mechanism favored the benzophenone triplet is proposed to be in equilibrium with the upper acetophenone-like chromophore from which the Norrish Type II reaction leading to chain fragmentation takes place.