Pulsed microwave irradiation effects on the dynamic behavior of a photochemically generated radical pair in a micellar solution

The radical pair dynamics in a photochemical hydrogen abstraction reaction of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone in a sodium dodecylsulfate micelle was modulated by a microwave pulse. After a short resonant 180° microwave pulse, the recombination of the radical pair was enhanced, its rate constant being determined to be (8.3±0.8)×10⁶ s⁻¹. Other kinetic parameters were determined by the scanning of the microwave pulse position as follows: the formation of the radical pair (3.3±0.3)×10⁷ s⁻¹, the relaxation rate from the triplet (T_±1) levels to the singlet–triplet (T₀) mixed one (3.3±0.3)×10⁵ s⁻¹ at 331 mT, and the radical escape rate (5.8±0.6)×10⁵ s⁻¹.     

Magnetic field effect on a radical pair reaction as a probe of microviscosity

The magnetic field effects (MFEs), caused by the Delta g mechanism, on the photoinduced hydrogen abstraction reaction of benzopheneone with thiophenol were investigated in alcoholic solutions of varying viscosities (eta = 0.55 to 59.2 cP) by a nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique. The escape yield of benzophenone ketyl radicals ( Y) gradually decreased with increasing magnetic field strength ( B) from 0 to 1.6 T. The relative yield observed at 1.6 T, R(1.6 T) = Y(1.6 T)/ Y(0 T), decreased with increasing eta in the range of 0.55 cP < or = eta < or = 5 cP, and then increased with increasing eta in the range of 5 cP < eta < or = 55.3 cP. When eta was higher than 55.3 cP, the R(1.6 T) value became 1.0, and MFEs were completely quenched. The observed eta dependence of the MFEs was analyzed by the stochastic Liouville equation (SLE), in which the effects of spin-orbit coupling by a heavy atom such as sulfur were taken into account. The observed MFEs were reproduced fairly well by the SLE analysis. The diffusion coefficients of the radicals obtained by the SLE were about three times smaller than those expected from the macroscopic solvent viscosities. One can probe the microviscosity in the vicinity of the radical pairs by observing MFEs on the present photochemical reaction system.     

Magnetic field effects and radical pair mechanisms in enzymes: a reappraisal of the horseradish peroxidase system

Reinvestigation by stopped-flow spectrophotometry of the previously observed influence of a static magnetic field on the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed reduction of hydrogen peroxide by Taraban et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 5768) did not reproduce the originally observed effects. No magnetic field effect was observed for static fields of up to 75 mT. Field-induced changes in both k1 and k2 reported in the original work were found to produce equal and opposite effects on the shape of the observed kinetic decay of the 418 nm spectroscopic signal as a result of the difference in the relative absorbances of Native HRP and Compound II.     

Radio frequency magnetic field effects on a radical recombination reaction: a diagnostic test for the radical pair mechanism

The photoinduced electron-transfer reaction of chrysene with isomers of dicyanobenzene is used to demonstrate the sensitivity of a radical recombination reaction to the orientation and frequency (5-50 MHz) of a approximately 300 muT radio frequency magnetic field in the presence of a 0-4 mT static magnetic field. The recombination yield is detected via the fluorescence of the exciplex formed exclusively from the electronic singlet state of the radical ion pair Chr*+/DCB*-. Magnetic field effects are simulated using a modified version of the gamma-COMPUTE algorithm, devised for the simulation of magic angle spinning NMR spectra of powdered samples. The response of a chemical or biological system to simultaneously applied radio frequency and static or extremely low-frequency magnetic fields could form the basis for a diagnostic test for the operation of the radical pair mechanism that would not require prior knowledge of the nature and properties of the radical reaction.     

Pulse radiolysis based on a femtosecond electron beam and a femtosecond laser light with double-pulse injection technique

A new pulse radiolysis system based on a femtosecond electron beam and a femtosecond laser light with oblique double-pulse injection was developed for studying ultrafast chemical kinetics and primary processes of radiation chemistry. The time resolution of 5.2 ps was obtained by measuring transient absorption kinetics of hydrated electrons in water. The optical density of hydrated electrons was measured as a function of the electron charge. The data indicate that the double-laser-pulse injection technique was a powerful tool for observing the transient absorptions with a good signal to noise ratio in pulse radiolysis.     

Magnetic field effects on the recombination of radical ions in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria

The amount of triplet products formed upon recombination of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer cation and the bacteriopheophytin anion in modified bacterial reaction centres can be manipulated by external magnetic fields. Making use of this effect, two methods provide information about structural and dynamic properties of the reaction centre. The two methods differ in that one (MARY) uses low static magnetic fields (0 ? B₀ < 1 kG) whereas the other (RYDMR) uses microwaves and high static fields (B₀ > 1 kG). As is shown here the two methods are equivalent from a theoretical point of view, the interpretation of experimental spectra being equally involved in both cases.     

Magnetic field effect studies indicate reduced geminate recombination of the radical pair in substrate-bound adenosylcobalamin-dependent ethanolamine ammonia lyase

The apparent conflict between literature evidence for (i) radical pair (RP) stabilization in adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl)-dependent enzymes and (ii) the manifestation of magnetic field sensitivity due to appreciable geminate recombination of the RP has been reconciled by pre-steady-state magnetic field effect (MFE) investigations with ethanolamine ammonia lyase (EAL). We have shown previous stopped-flow MFE studies to be insensitive to magnetically induced changes in the net forward rate of C-Co homolytic bond cleavage. Subsequently, we observed a magnetic-dependence in the continuous-wave C-Co photolysis of free AdoCbl in 75% glycerol but have not done so in the thermal homolysis of this bond in the enzyme-bound cofactor in the presence of substrate. Consequently, in the enzyme-bound state, the RP generated upon homolysis appears to be stabilized against the extent of geminate recombination required to observe an MFE. These findings have strong implications for the mechanism of RP stabilization and the unprecedented catalytic power of this important class of cobalamin-dependent enzymes.     

Experimental observation of preferential solvation on a radical ion pair using MARY spectroscopy

The effect of preferential solvation on the exciplex luminescence detected magnetic field effect has been studied using magnetic-field-effect-on-reaction-yield (MARY) spectroscopy. By designing solvent mixtures which can provide a micro-environment around the magneto-sensitive radical ion pair (RIP) from highly heterogeneous to quasi-homogenous, the effect of the polarity scan on an absolute magnetic field effect (χ(E)) and B(1/2) (the field value marking half saturation) has been studied on the system 9,10-dimethylanthracene (fluorophore)/N,N'-dimethylaniline (quencher). While the trend in χ(E) (although with subtle differences) follows the usual norm of passing through maxima with increasing polarity, the B(1/2) values show either a large monotonic decrease (for heterogeneous solvents) or remain constant (for quasi-homogenous systems) with increasing polarity. The observations have been interpreted invoking the concept of amplification of the "cage-effect" as a result of preferential solvation in binary solvents and its influence on the decaying exciplex. The use of ternary solvents further confirms the proposed mechanism. Additionally electron hopping from the radical ion pair to the surrounding neutral donor molecules could also possibly contribute to the observed trend.     

The spin mixing process of a radical pair in low magnetic field observed by transient absorption detected nanosecond pulsed magnetic field effect

The spin mixing process of the radical pair in the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelle is studied by using a novel technique nanosecond pulsed magnetic field effect on transient absorption. We have developed the equipment for a nanosecond pulsed magnetic field and observed its effect on the radical pair reaction. A decrease of the free radical yield by a reversely directed pulsed magnetic field that cancels static field is observed, and the dependence on its magnitude, which is called pulsed MARY (magnetic field effect on reaction yield) spectra, is studied. The observed spectra reflect the spin mixing in 50-200 ns and show clear time evolution. Theoretical simulation of pulsed MARY spectra based on a single site modified Liouville equation indicates that the fast spin dephasing processes induced by the modulation of electron-electron spin interaction by molecular reencounter affect to the coherent spin mixing by a hyperfine interaction in a low magnetic field.     

Electron spin dynamics as a probe of molecular dynamics: temperature-dependent magnetic field effects on charge recombination within a covalent radical ion pair

The electron spin-spin exchange interaction, 2J, in radical pairs (RPs) is exquisitely sensitive to the details of molecular structure and can thus serve as an important probe of structural dynamics in RPs of potential interest to photonic and electronic devices. Photoinitiated ultrafast two-step charge separation produces (1)(MeOAn(+)(*)-6ANI-NI(-)(*)), where MeOAn = p-methoxyaniline, 6ANI = 4-(N-piperidinyl)naphthalene-1,8-dicarboximide, and NI = naphthalene-1,8:4,5-bis(dicarboximide). Radical pair intersystem crossing subsequently produces (3)(MeOAn(+)(*)-6ANI-NI(-)(*)), and the total RP population decays with approximately 10 ns lifetime at 140 K, which increases to nearly 30 ns at 300 K in toluene. The activation energy observed for this process is negative and can be explained by a mechanism involving a conformational preequilibrium of the RP followed by charge recombination. Over the same temperature range, the magnetic field effect (MFE) on yield of the triplet recombination product, MeOAn-6ANI-(3)()NI, yields the magnitude of 2J, which directly monitors the superexchange electronic coupling for charge recombination. A single resonance in the MFE plot is observed at 300 K, which splits into two resonances at temperatures below 230 K, suggesting that there are two distinct groups of RP conformations at low temperature. The magnitude of 2J for the lower field resonance (10 mT) at 140 K is 5 times smaller than that of the high field resonance. At 300 K the equilibrium is shifted almost entirely to the set of conformers with the stronger electronic coupling. The motion that couples these two groups of conformations is the motion that most effectively gates the donor-acceptor electronic coupling.     

Magnetic field effects on the behaviour of carbene-derived radical pairs in microemulsions. Examination of carbene multiplicities

Photochemically generated carbenes react with hydrogen donors in a microemulsion solution to yield radical pairs where their triplet multiplicity is reflected in the magnetic field effects on their decay kinetics; this approach is also useful in the study of free radicals in organized systems.     

Solvent effects on two-dimensional molecular self-assemblies investigated by using scanning tunneling microscopy

Self-assembly structures investigated by using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at liquid/solid interface have been a topic of broad interest in surface science, molecular materials, molecular electronics. The delicate balance among the adsorbate–solvent, adsorbate–adsorbate, solvent–solvent interactions would give rise to the coadsorption or competitive deposition of solvent with adsorbate. The solvents at the interface enable dynamic absorption and desorption of the adsorbates leading to the controlled assembly of the molecular architectures. The solvent-induced polymorphism, coadsorption effect, as well as solvent effects on chirality and electronic structures are discussed in this report in view of the polarity, solubility and viscosity of the solvent, the hydrogen bonding formation between solute and solvent, and the solvophobic and solvophilic effects. The systematic studies on the solvent effects would shed light on better control of assembly structures for design of new molecular materials and molecular electronics.     

Direct observation of f-pair magnetic field effects and time-dependence of radical pair composition using rapidly switched magnetic fields and time-resolved infrared methods

A rapidly switched (<10 ns) magnetic field was employed to directly observe magnetic fields from f-pair reactions of radical pairs in homogeneous solution. Geminate radical pairs from the photoabstraction reaction of benzophenone from cyclohexanol were observed directly using a pump-probe pulsed magnetic field method to determine their existence time. No magnetic field effects from geminate pairs were observed at times greater than 100 ns after initial photoexcitation. By measuring magnetic field effects for fields applied continuously only after this initial geminate period, f-pair effects could be directly observed. Measurement of the time-dependence of the field effect for the photolysis of 2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone in cyclohexanol using time-resolved infrared spectroscopy revealed not only the presence of f-pair magnetic field effects but also the ability of the time dependence of the MARY spectra to observe the changing composition of the randomly encountering pairs throughout the second order reaction period.     

Characterisation of mixed radiation field produced in medical linear accelerators using foil activation technique

The photon spectrum produced in medical linear accelerators and used for tumour therapy was measured using foil activation techniques in this work. The machine employed is the linear medical accelerator SL-25, Philips, installed at the Walsgrave Hospital Radiotherapy Centre in Coventry, U.K. A number of foil sets, with different energy thresholds were irradiated at different points inside a 400 mm by 400 mm treatment field at a nominal dose rate of 400 MU (4 Gy/min), and photon energy of 25 MV at the machine's isocentre. The induced activity of each foil was measured using a NaI(Tl) detector and a PC-based multichannel analyzer. The spectrum of the photons was unfolded using the computer code LOUHI82. The relative changes in the spectrum across the treatment field, were also measured using foils placed at 2.5°, 5°, 10° and 13° on both sides of the central axis of the treatment field. In order to estimate the extra dose received by the patient due to the neutron component, the neutron flux distribution at different points across the treatment field was measured using gold foils. The results and implications are discussed.     

Magnetic field and magnetic isotope effects on the recombination kinetics of covalently-linked ketyl-phenoxyl triplet radical pairs

The recombination kinetics of three photogenerated covalently-linked ketyl-phenoxyl triplet radical pairs,³[PhC^.(OD)C₆H₄O(CH₂) _n OC₆H₄C₆H₄O^.] (n=3, 6, and 10), and of the corresponding deuterated derivatives were examined by the laser flash technique under an external magnetic field (up to 0.2 T) in a CDCl₃/CD₃OD (21) mixture. In zero magnetic field, radical pairs (RPs) with small exchange interactions (n=6 and 10) are characterized by high values of the magnetic isotope effect (MIE), which reach 3 for pairs withn=10. Under strong magnetic fields (up to 0.2 T), the values of MIE decrease to 1.2 to 1.1. The photochemical behavior of covalently-linked RPs is compared with that of similar unlinked RPs in micelles.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 442–446, March, 1995.The authors are grateful to V. F. Tarasov, A. I. Shushin (N. N. Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, RAS) and V. A. Nadtochenko (Institute of Chemical Physics in Chernogolovka, RAS) for helpful discussions.     

Spin dynamics of the radical pair in a low magnetic field studied by the transient absorption detected magnetic field effect on the reaction yield and switched external magnetic field

The spin dynamics of the radical pair generated from the photocleavage reaction of (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)diphenylphosphine oxide (TMDPO) in micellar solutions was studied by the time-resolved magnetic field effect (MFE) on the transient absorption (TA) and by a novel technique, absorption detected switched external magnetic field (AD-SEMF). Thanks to the large hyperfine coupling constant (A = 38 mT), a characteristic negative MFE on the radical yield was observed at a magnetic field lower than 60 mT whereas a positive effect due to the conventional hyperfine (HFM) and relaxation mechanisms (RM) was observed at higher magnetic field. The negative effect can be assigned to the mechanism "so-called" low field effect (LFE) mechanism and has been analyzed thoroughly using a model calculation incorporating a fast spin dephasing process. The time scale of the spin mixing process of LFE studied by AD-SEMF is shorter than the lifetime of the recombination kinetics of the radical pair. These results indicate that the LFE originates from the coherent spin motion. This can be interfered from the fast spin dephasing caused by electron spin interaction fluctuations.     

Magnetic field effects on recombination radiation in tetracene crystal

Recombination radiation in tetracene crystal is shown to be modified by the application of a magnetic field. Relative variations of radiation intensity with field and orientation can be explained in terms of molecular singlet fission and triplet exciton-charge carrier interaction.