Peptide cation-radicals. A computational study of the competition between peptide N-Calpha bond cleavage and loss of the side chain in the [GlyPhe-NH2 + 2H]+. cation-radical

Cation‐radicals and dications corresponding to hydrogen atom adducts to N‐terminus‐protonated N_α‐glycylphenylalanine amide (Gly‐Phe‐NH₂) are studied by combined density functional theory and Møller‐Plesset perturbational computations (B3‐MP2) as models for electron‐capture dissociation of peptide bonds and elimination of side‐chain groups in gas‐phase peptide ions. Several structures are identified as local energy minima including isomeric aminoketyl cation‐radicals, and hydrogen‐bonded ion‐radicals, and ylid‐cation‐radical complexes. The hydrogen‐bonded complexes are substantially more stable than the classical aminoketyl structures. Dissociations of the peptide N? C_α bonds in aminoketyl cation‐radicals are 18–47 kJ mol^?1 exothermic and require low activation energies to produce ion‐radical complexes as stable intermediates. Loss of the side‐chain benzyl group is calculated to be 44 kJ mol^?1 endothermic and requires 68 kJ mol^?1 activation energy. Rice‐Ramsperger‐Kassel‐Marcus (RRKM) and transition‐state theory (TST) calculations of unimolecular rate constants predict fast preferential N? C_α bond cleavage resulting in isomerization to ion‐molecule complexes, while dissociation of the C_α? CH₂C₆H₅ bond is much slower. Because of the very low activation energies, the peptide bond dissociations are predicted to be fast in peptide cation‐radicals that have thermal (298 K) energies and thus behave ergodically. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A CAS study on S‐loss and O‐loss dissociation mechanisms of the SO2+ ion in the C,D, and E states

In the present work, we mainly study dissociation of the C ²B₁, D²A₁, and E²B₂ states of the SO₂⁺ ion using the complete active‐space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) and multiconfiguration second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2) methods. We first performed CASPT2 potential energy curve (PEC) calculations for S‐ and O‐loss dissociation from the X, A, B, C, D, and E primarily ionization states and many quartet states. For studying S‐loss predissociation of the C, D, and E states by the quartet states to the first, second, and third S‐loss dissociation limits, the CASSCF minimum energy crossing point (MECP) calculations for the doublet/quartet state pairs were performed, and then the CASPT2 energies and CASSCF spin‐orbit couplings were calculated at the MECPs. Our calculations predict eight S‐loss predissociation processes (via MECPs and transition states) for the C, D, and E states and the energetics for these processes are reported. This study indicates that the C and D states can adiabatically dissociate to the first O‐loss dissociation limit. Our calculations (PEC and MECP) predict a predissociation process for the E state to the first O‐loss limit. Our calculations also predict that the E²B₂ state could dissociate to the first S‐ and O‐loss limits via the A²B₂ ← E²B₂ transition. On the basis of the 13 predicted processes, we discussed the S‐ and O‐loss dissociation mechanisms of the C, D, and E states proposed in the previous experimental studies. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

A Free‐Radical Prompted Barrierless Gas‐Phase Synthesis of Pentacene

A representative, low‐temperature gas‐phase reaction mechanism synthesizing polyacenes via ring annulation exemplified by the formation of pentacene (C₂₂H₁₄) along with its benzo[a]tetracene isomer (C₂₂H₁₄) is unraveled by probing the elementary reaction of the 2‐tetracenyl radical (C₁₈H₁₁^.) with vinylacetylene (C₄H₄). The pathway to pentacene—a prototype polyacene and a fundamental molecular building block in graphenes, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes—is facilitated by a barrierless, vinylacetylene mediated gas‐phase process thus disputing conventional hypotheses that synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) solely proceeds at elevated temperatures. This low‐temperature pathway can launch isomer‐selective routes to aromatic structures through submerged reaction barriers, resonantly stabilized free‐radical intermediates, and methodical ring annulation in deep space eventually changing our perception about the chemistry of carbon in our universe.     

Electron predators are hydrogen atom traps. Effects of aryl groups on N—Cα bond dissociations of peptide radicals

Effects of substituted aryl groups on dissociations of peptide aminoketyl radicals were studied computationally for model tetrapeptide intermediates GXD^?G where X was a cysteine residue that was derivatized by S‐(3‐nitrobenzyl), S‐(3‐cyanobenzyl), S‐(3,5‐dicyanobenzyl), S‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzyl), and S‐benzyl groups. The aminoketyl radical was placed within the Asp amide group. Aminoketyl radicals having the S‐(3‐nitrobenzyl) group were found to undergo spontaneous and highly exothermic migration of the hydroxyl hydrogen atom onto the nitro group in conformers allowing interaction between these groups. Competing reaction channels were investigated for aminoketyl radicals having the S‐(3‐cyanobenzyl) and S‐(3,5‐dicyanobenzyl) groups, e.g. H‐atom migration to the C and N atoms of the C≡N group, migration to the C‐4 position of the phenyl ring, and dissociation of the radical‐activated N? C_α bond between the Asp and Gly residues. RRKM kinetic analysis on the combined B3LYP and ROMP2/6‐311++G(2d,p) potential energy surface indicated > 99% H‐atom transfer to the C≡N group forming a stable iminyl intermediate. The N? C_α bond dissociation was negligible. In contrast, peptides with the S‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzyl) and S‐benzyl groups showed preferential N? C_α bond dissociation that outcompeted H‐atom migration to the C‐4 position and fluorine substituents in the phenyl ring. These computational results are used to suggest an alternative mechanism for the quenching effect on electron‐based peptide backbone dissociations of benzyl groups with electron‐withdrawing substitutents, as reported recently. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Specific fragmentation of the K‐shell excited/ionized pyridine derivatives studied by electron impact: 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐methylpyridine

Fragmentation of the pyridine ring upon K‐shell excitation/ionization has been studied with gaseous 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐methylpyridine by the electron‐impact method. Ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations were also carried out to explore electronic states correlating with specific fragments. Some specific fragmentation channels were identified from the ionic fragments enhanced characteristically at the N 1s edge. Yields of the C₂HN⁺ and C₅H₅⁺/C₅H₆⁺ ions show that the fission of the N? C2 and C4? C5/C5? C6 bonds of the ring is likely to occur after the N 1s excitation and ionization. Ab initio MO calculations for the 2‐methylpyridine molecule indicate that the dissociation channels to produce these ions are only accessible through the excited states of the parent molecular dication, which can be formed by Auger decays after the N 1s ionization. Fragment ions via hydrogen rearrangement are produced as well, but the rearrangement is not a phenomenon specific to the K‐shell excitation/ionization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanoporous Carbon Tubes from Fullerene Crystals as the π‐Electron Carbon Source

Here we report the thermal conversion of one‐dimensional (1D) fullerene (C₆₀) single‐crystal nanorods and nanotubes to nanoporous carbon materials with retention of the initial 1D morphology. The 1D C₆₀ crystals are heated directly at very high temperature (up to 2000 °C) in vacuum, yielding a new family of nanoporous carbons having π‐electron conjugation within the sp²‐carbon robust frameworks. These new nanoporous carbon materials show excellent electrochemical capacitance and superior sensing properties for aromatic compounds compared to commercial activated carbons.     

Carbon Quantum Dot Implanted Graphite Carbon Nitride Nanotubes: Excellent Charge Separation and Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Graphite carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) is a promising candidate for photocatalytic hydrogen production, but only shows moderate activity owing to sluggish photocarrier transfer and insufficient light absorption. Herein, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) implanted in the surface plane of g‐C₃N₄ nanotubes were synthesized by thermal polymerization of freeze‐dried urea and CQDs precursor. The CQD‐implanted g‐C₃N₄ nanotubes (CCTs) could simultaneously facilitate photoelectron transport and suppress charge recombination through their specially coupled heterogeneous interface. The electronic structure and morphology were optimized in the CCTs, contributing to greater visible light absorption and a weakened barrier of the photocarrier transfer. As a result, the CCTs exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance under light irradiation with a high H₂ production rate of 3538.3 μmol g^?1 h^?1 and a notable quantum yield of 10.94 % at 420 nm.     

Electron impact dissociation of cyanobenzene radical cations by ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy

Trapped ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy has been used for the first time to study the electron impact dissociation of ions. Fragmentation of C₆H₅CH⁺ to produce C₆H⁺₄ and HCN is observed to occur at low electron energies (3–9 eV). The extent of dissociation is observed to be linear in emission current, rising from a threshold at 3.0 ± 0.5 eV to a maximum cross section estimated to be 6A² at 7.5 ± 0.5 eV. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Dissociative photoionization of isoprene: experiments and calculations

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) dissociative photoionization of isoprene in the energy region 8.5–18 eV was investigated with photoionization mass spectroscopy (PIMS) using synchrotron radiation (SR). The ionization energy (IE) of isoprene as well as the appearance energies (AEs) of its fragment ions C₅H₇⁺, C₅H₅⁺, C₄H₅⁺, C₃H₆⁺, C₃H₅⁺, C₃H₄⁺, C₃H₃⁺ and C₂H₃⁺ were determined with photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves. The dissociation energies of some possible dissociation channels to produce those fragment ions were also determined experimentally. The total energies of C₅H₈ and its main fragments were calculated using the Gaussian 03 program and the Gaussian‐2 method. The IE of C₅H₈, the AEs for its fragment ions, and the dissociation energies to produce them were predicted using the high‐accuracy energy model. According to our results, the experimental dissociation energies were in reasonable agreement with the calculated values of the proposed photodissociation channels of C₅H₈. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modification of multiwall carbon nanotubes by grafting from controlled polymerization of styrene: Effect of the characteristics of the nanotubes

Linear polystyrene chains were grown from the convex surface of two commercially available multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with similar diameter but different lengths. The MWCNTs were supplied from Bayer Material Science® (purity >95%, external diameter = 13–16 nm, length = 1–10 μm, denoted MWCNT_BMS⁹⁵) and FutureCarbon GmbH (purity >99%, external diameter = 15 nm, length = 5–50 μm, denoted MWCNT_FC⁹⁹). The MWCNTs were oxidized with nitric acid, consecutively reacted with thionyl chloride, glycol or poly(ethylene glycol), 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide and finally with styrene under atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) conditions. The content of polystyrene grafted from the surface of the MWCNTs can be controlled by adjusting the molecular weight of the poly(ethylene glycol), the initiator concentration and the monomer to carbon nanotube weight ratio. Under comparable experimental conditions, a higher amount of polystyrene is grafted from the MWCNT_BMS⁹⁵ than from MWCNT_FC⁹⁹. The difference in dimensions and the state of aggregation of the carbon nanotubes influence the grafting from polymerization reactions, where relative shorter and tightly aggregated carbon nanotubes promote higher polymerizations yields than longer and less aggregated carbon nanotubes. The increase of the viscosity of the carbon nanotube dispersion decreases the polymer grafting content. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1035–1046, 2010     

Charge Transfer Complex Role in the Formation of Chlorobenzene in the γ‐Irradiated Carbon Tetrachloride‐Benzene System

The formation of carbon tetrachloride‐benzene charge transfer complex was confirmed by UV and NMR spectrometric studies. A change in UV spectrum of benzene is observed upon addition of carbon tetrachloride. Whereas the appearance of new bands supports the formation of charge transfer complex. NMR study shows that, chemical shift of benzene pmr signal depends on the CCl₄‐C₆H₆ molar ratio. This observation is another criterion for the formation of benzene‐carbon tetrachloride charge transfer complex. Job's Continuous Variation method indicates that a 2:1 CCl₄‐C₆H₆ charge transfer complex (2:1 CTC) is formed. The association constants (K_2:1) of (2:1 CTC) was found to be 0.0197 M^?2. The maximum concentration of (2:1 CTC) was found to be in samples with 2:1 CCl₄‐C₆H₆ molar ratio (33% benzene mole). On the other hand the maximum yield of chlorobenzene was obtained, also, upon radiolysis of CCl₄‐C₆H₆ samples at a 2:1 molar ratio (33% benzene mole). Therefore, it could be concluded that (2:1 CTC) participates in the formation of chlorobenzene upon radiolysis of the benzene‐carbon tetrachloride system. This conclusion was supported by the dependence of the chlorobenzene yield of a γ‐irradiated carbon tetrachloride‐benzene system (2:1 molar ratio) on irradiation time according to a third order kinetic equation with a very good linearity (R² = 0.9977). Accordingly, the rate constant for the chlorobenzene formation under this condition was found to be ≈ 5.5 × 10^?7 L².mol^?2.h^?1. We propose a radiation chemical mechanism in which the 2:1 CTC plays a role in the formation of chlorobenzene.     

A Novel Molecularly Imprinted Photoelectrochemical Sensor Based on g‐C3N4‐AuNPs for the Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Triclosan

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) photoelectrochemical sensor was fabricated for the highly sensitive and selective detection of triclosan. The MIP photoelectrochemical sensor was fabricated using graphite‐like carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as photoelectric materials. The MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor used photocurrent as the detection signal and was triggered by ultraviolet light (UV‐Light 365 nm). g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs was immobilized on indium tin oxide electrodes to produce the photoelectrochemically responsive electrode of the MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor. A MIP layer of poly‐o‐phenylenediamine was electropolymerized on the g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs‐modified electrode to act as the recognition element of the MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor and to enable the selective adsorption of triclosan to the sensor through specific binding. Under optimal experimental conditions, the designed MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor presented high sensitivity for triclosan with a linear range of 2×10⁻¹² to 8×10⁻¹⁰ M and a limit of detection of 6.01×10⁻¹³ M. Moreover, the MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor showed excellent selectivity. The sensor had been successfully applied in the analysis of toothpaste samples.     

New Insights into the Hexaphenylethane Riddle: Formation of an α,o‐Dimer

Upon reduction of a 1H‐cyclobuta[de]naphthalene‐4,5‐diylbis(diarylmethylium) species, a new C? C bond is formed between the C_α and C_ortho atoms of the two chromophores, which presents an unprecedented coupling pattern for the dimerization of two trityl units. By attaching an annulated cyclobutane ring at the opposite peri position of the naphthalene core, the distance between the C_α carbon atoms was elongated beyond the limit of σ‐bond formation through “scissor effects”. The suppression of C_α? C_α bond formation, which would lead to hexaphenylethane‐type compounds, is key to the first successful isolation of the α,o‐adducts. The 5‐diarylmethylene‐6‐triarylmethyl‐1,3‐cyclohexadiene unit in the α,o‐adducts is stable, and isomerization of the cyclohexadiene unit into an aromatic system was not observed. The newly formed C_α? C_ortho bond was cleaved upon two‐electron oxidation to regenerate the dicationic dye.     

Electro‐oxidation and Determination of Tripelennamine Hydrochloride at MWCNT‐CTAB Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

An electrochemical method for the determination of tripelennamine hydrochloride (TPA) using cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNT‐CTAB/GCE) was developed. Because of good electrical conductivity of MWCNT and catalytic behavior of CTAB, new electrode significantly enhances the sensitivity for the detection of TPA. Parameters such as amount of modifier suspension, scan rate, pH of measure solution, heterogeneous rate constant were investigated. The electrode exhibits a linear potential response in the range of 1.0×10^?8 M to 3.0×10^?6 M with a detection limit of 2.38× 10^?9 M. The modified electrode was successfully applied to the determination of TPA in pharmaceutical and real samples.     

Two transition metal coordination polymers of the 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane dianion (TCNQ2−)

Each of the two novel title transition metal coordination polymers, namely catena‐poly[[bis{[tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine]cobalt(II)}‐μ₄‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethanide(2−)] bis[7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethanide(1−)] methanol disolvate], {[Co₂(C₁₂H₄N₄)(C₁₈H₁₈N₄)₂](C₁₂H₄N₄)₂·2CH₃OH}_n, (I), and catena‐poly[[[[tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine]iron(II)]‐μ₂‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethanide(2−)] methanol solvate], {[Fe(C₁₂H₄N₄)(C₁₈H₁₈N₄)]·CH₃OH}_n, (II), contains η⁴‐TPA and cis‐bridging TCNQ²⁻ ligands [TPA is tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine and TCNQ is 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane], but the two compounds adopt entirely different structural motifs. Compound (I) consists of a ribbon coordination polymer featuring μ₄‐TCNQ²⁻ radical anion ligands bridging four different octahedral Co^II centers. Each formula unit of the polymer is flanked by two uncoordinated TCNQ⁻ anions and two methanol solvent molecules. All three TCNQ anions have crystallographic inversion symmetry. In (II), the 2₁ symmetry operator generates a one‐dimensional zigzag chain of octahedral Fe^II centers with μ₂‐TCNQ²⁻ bridges. A methanol solvent molecule forms hydrogen bonds to one of the terminal N atoms of the bridging TCNQ²⁻ dianion. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first examples of one‐dimensional coordination polymers forming from cis coordination of two TCNQ ligands to octahedral metal centers.     

Ultrafast Photoinduced Charge Separation Leading to High‐Energy Radical Ion‐Pairs in Directly Linked Corrole–C60 and Triphenylamine–Corrole‐C60 Donor–Acceptor Conjugates

Closely positioned donor–acceptor pairs facilitate electron‐ and energy‐transfer events, relevant to light energy conversion. Here, a triad system TPACor‐C₆₀ , possessing a free‐base corrole as central unit that linked the energy donor triphenylamine ( TPA ) at the meso position and an electron acceptor fullerene (C₆₀) at the β‐pyrrole position was newly synthesized, as were the component dyads TPA‐Cor and Cor‐C₆₀ . Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and DFT studies confirmed the molecular integrity and existence of a moderate level of intramolecular interactions between the components. Steady‐state fluorescence studies showed efficient energy transfer from ¹ TPA* to the corrole and subsequent electron transfer from ¹corrole* to fullerene. Further studies involving femtosecond and nanosecond laser flash photolysis confirmed electron transfer to be the quenching mechanism of corrole emission, in which the electron‐transfer products, the corrole radical cation ( Cor^?+ in Cor‐C₆₀ and TPA‐Cor^?+ in TPACor‐C₆₀ ) and fullerene radical anion (C₆₀^??), could be spectrally characterized. Owing to the close proximity of the donor and acceptor entities in the dyad and triad, the rate of charge separation, k_CS, was found to be about 10¹¹ s^?1, suggesting the occurrence of an ultrafast charge‐separation process. Interestingly, although an order of magnitude slower than k_CS, the rate of charge recombination, k_CR, was also found to be rapid (k_CR≈10¹⁰ s^?1), and both processes followed the solvent polarity trend DMF>benzonitrile>THF>toluene. The charge‐separated species relaxed directly to the ground state in polar solvents while in toluene, formation of ³corrole* was observed, thus implying that the energy of the charge‐separated state in a nonpolar solvent is higher than the energy of ³corrole* being about 1.52 eV. That is, ultrafast formation of a high‐energy charge‐separated state in toluene has been achieved in these closely spaced corrole–fullerene donor–acceptor conjugates.     

Improved Voltammetric Response of L‐Tyrosine on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐Ionic Liquid Composite Coated Glassy Electrodes in the Presence of Cupric Ion

L ‐Tyrosine can exhibit a small anodic peak on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). At pH 5.5 its peak potential is 0.70 V (vs. SCE). When an ionic liquid (i.e., 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [omim][PF₆]) is introduced on the MWCNT coat, the peak becomes bigger. Furthermore, in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion the anodic peak of L ‐tyrosine increases further due to the formation of Cu²⁺‐L ‐tyrosine complex, while the peak potential keeps unchanged. Therefore, a sensitive voltammetry based on the oxidation of Cu²⁺‐L ‐tyrosine complex on MWCNTs‐[omim][PF₆] composite coated electrode is developed for L ‐tyrosine. Under the optimized conditions, the anodic peak current is linear to L ‐tyrosine concentration in the range of 1×10^?8–5×10^?6 M, and the detection limit is 8×10^?9 M. The modified electrode shows good reproducibility and stability. In addition, the voltammetric behavior of other amino acids is explored. It is found that among them tryptophan (Trp) and histidine (His) can also produce sensitive anodic peak under same experimental conditions, and their detection limits are 4×10^?9 M and 4×10^?6 M, respectively.     

Density functional theory and RRKM calculations of decompositions of the metastable E‐2,4‐pentadienal molecular ions

The potential energy profiles for the fragmentations that lead to [C₅H₅O]⁺ and [C₄H₆]^+? ions from the molecular ions [C₅H₆O]^+? of E‐2,4‐pentadienal were obtained from calculations at the UB3LYP/6‐311G + + (3df,3pd)//UB3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level of theory. Kinetic barriers and harmonic frequencies obtained by the density functional method were then employed in Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus calculations of individual rate coefficients for a large number of reaction steps. The pre‐equilibrium and rate‐controlling step approximations were applied to different regions of the complex potential energy surface, allowing the overall rate of decomposition to be calculated and discriminated between three rival pathways: C? H bond cleavage, decarbonylation and cyclization. These processes should have to compete for an equilibrated mixture of four conformers of the E‐2,4‐pentadienal ions. The direct dissociation, however, can only become important in the high‐energy regime. In contrast, loss of CO and cyclization are observable processes in the metastable kinetic window. The former involves a slow 1,2‐hydrogen shift from the carbonyl group that is immediately followed by the formation of an ion‐neutral complex which, in turn, decomposes rapidly to the s‐trans‐1,3‐butadiene ion [C₄H₆]^+?. The predominating metastable channel is the second one, that is, a multi‐step ring closure which starts with a rate‐limiting cis—trans isomerization. This process yields a mixture of interconverting pyran ions that dissociates to the pyrylium ions [C₅H₅O]⁺. These results can be used to rationalize the CID mass spectrum of E‐2,4‐pentadienal in a low‐energy regime. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Theoretical Investigation on the Reaction Mechanism of the C8H10+· Side‐Chain Decomposition Processes

The dissociation of ethylbenzene cation C₈H₁₀^+· served as a prototype to investigate the decompasition mechanisms of alkylbenzene cations. The reactions of C₈H₁₀^+· decomposition reaction system have been studied extensively at the B3LYP/6‐311++G?? ?? level with Gaussion 98 package. The chain reaction of C₈H₁₀^+· dissociation is initiated by C–H bond rupture. All reaction channels were fully investigated with the vibrational mode analysis to confirm the transition states and reveal the reaction mechanism. The energetically most favorable pathway is C₈H₁₀^+·→TS4→P2+H· and the channel leading to C₈H₁₀^+· and C₂H₄ is also competitive.     

The ESI CAD fragmentations of protonated 2,4,6‐tris(benzylamino)‐ and tris(benzyloxy)‐1,3,5‐triazines involve benzyl–benzyl interactions: a DFT study

The electrospray ionization collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectra of protonated 2,4,6‐tris(benzylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (1) and 2,4,6‐tris(benzyloxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine (6) show abundant product ion of m/z 181 (C₁₄H₁₃⁺). The likely structure for C₁₄H₁₃⁺ is α‐[2‐methylphenyl]benzyl cation, indicating that one of the benzyl groups must migrate to another prior to dissociation of the protonated molecule. The collision energy is high for the ‘N’ analog (1) but low for the ‘O’ analog (6) indicating that the fragmentation processes of 1 requires high energy. The other major fragmentations are [M + H‐toluene]⁺ and [M + H‐benzene]⁺ for compounds 1 and 6, respectively. The protonated 2,4,6‐tris(4‐methylbenzylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (4) exhibits competitive eliminations of p‐xylene and 3,6‐dimethylenecyclohexa‐1,4‐diene. Moreover, protonated 2,4,6‐tris(1‐phenylethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (5) dissociates via three successive losses of styrene. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that an ion/neutral complex (INC) between benzyl cation and the rest of the molecule is unstable, but the protonated molecules of 1 and 6 rearrange to an intermediate by the migration of a benzyl group to the ring ‘N’. Subsequent shift of a second benzyl group generates an INC for the protonated molecule of 1 and its product ions can be explained from this intermediate. The shift of a second benzyl group to the ring carbon of the first benzyl group followed by an H‐shift from ring carbon to ‘O’ generates the key intermediate for the formation of the ion of m/z 181 from the protonated molecule of 6. The proposed mechanisms are supported by high resolution mass spectrometry data, deuterium‐labeling and CAD experiments combined with DFT calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.