Nitroxyl radical addition to pentafulvenones forming cyclopentadienyl radicals: a test for cyclopentadienyl radical destabilization.

Photochemical Wolff rearrangements in alkane solvents of the 6-diazo-2,4-cyclohexadienones 4 and 13-15 give pentafulvenone (1), 2,3-benzopentafulvenone (2), dibenzopentafulvenone (3), and 2,4-di-tert-butylpentafulvenone (16), as identified by conventional UV and IR spectroscopy. Reactions of these fulvenyl ketenes with tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) proceed by addition of TEMPO to the carbonyl carbon forming delocalized radicals for 1 and 2 which add one or more further TEMPO molecules, while the initial radical products formed from 3 and 16 dimerize. The rate constants of these reactions compared to hydration rate constants for the same compounds show the benzannulated derivatives 2 and 3 fit a previous correlation k(2)(TEMPO) vs k((H(2)O), whereas for 1 and 16 there is evidence for inhibition of reactions with radicals. The deviations are consistent with an absence of aromatic stabilization of the cyclopentadienyl radicals from 1 and 16 that is compensated in the benzannulated derivatives.     

Infrared absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance studies of vinyl radical in noble-gas matrices

Vinyl radicals produced by annealing-induced reaction of mobilized hydrogen atoms with acetylene molecules in solid noble-gas matrices (Ar, Kr, and Xe) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. The hydrogen atoms were generated from acetylene by UV photolysis or fast electron irradiation. Two vibrational modes of the vinyl radical (nu7 and nu5) were assigned in IR absorption studies. The assignment is based on data for various isotopic substitutions (D and 13C) and confirmed by comparison with the EPR measurements and density-functional theory calculations. The data on the nu7 mode is in agreement with previous experimental and theoretical results whereas the nu5 frequency agrees well with the computational data but conflicts with the gas-phase IR emission results.     

EPR study of nitroxides formed from the reaction of nitric oxide with photolyzed amides

Free radicals generated from UV irradiation of simple aliphatic amides in anaerobic and nitric oxide (NO)‐saturated liquid mixtures or solutions gave EPR spectra of nitroxides. The application of isotopic effects to EPR spectra and the generation of radicals by transient radical attack on substrate molecules or by photolysing amine or acetoin were used to help identify photochemically produced radicals from the amides. The aliphatic amides used were formamide, acetamide and their N‐methyl‐ or deuterium‐substituted derivatives. Transient radicals used to attack the amides via hydrogen‐atom abstraction were generated from the initiator AIBN or AAPH. The observation of various nitroxides indicates the reactivity of NO for trapping acyl, carbamoyl and other carbon‐centered radicals. Possibly mechanistic pathways diagnosed with this trap are proposed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroelectrochemical Study on Radical Intermediate of Coenzyme Q10 at Silver Electrode

The radical intermediate (ubisemiquinone) of CoenzymeQ₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) had been observed in nonpolar solvents by spectroscopic techniques.1 The present work investigates the radical speices, as well known, it is extremely unstable in polar solvents, in ethanol/water system through spectroelectrochemical techniques including in situ UV/Vis,EPR and NMR.     

Identification of free radicals induced by UV irradiation in collagen water solutions

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method has shown that hydrogen atoms and acetic acid free radicals appear in surrounding acetic acid-water solution of collagen under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. These free radicals interact with the collagen molecule; consequently, seven superfine components of EPR spectrum with the split of aH = 11.3G and g-factor 2.001 appear. It is assumed that this spectrum is related to the free radical occurred on the proline residue in collagen molecule. In order to discover .OH hydroxyl radicals even in minor concentration, spin trap 5.5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) has been applied. During the irradiation of collagen water solution in the presence of spin trap, EPR spectrum of the DMPO/.OH adduct has not been identified, while the above mentioned spectrum has been observed once the hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and FeSO4 were added to the sample. That means that water photolysis does not take place in collagen water-solution due to UV irradiation. It was suggested that occurrence of hydrogen radical is connected with the electron transmission to the hydrogen ion. The possible source of free electrons can be aromatic residues, photo ionization of which takes place in collagen molecule due to UV irradiation.     

EPR STUDIES OF TRAPPED SINGLET OXYGEN (lO2) GENERATED DURING PHOTOIRRADIATION OF HYPOCRELLIN A

Hypocrellin A, a peryloquinone derivative, has recently been isolated from the sacs of the fungus Hypocrella bambusae. This pigment, in combination with phototherapy, has been used in human medicine to cure various skin diseases. The generation of singlet oxygen during photoirradiation of Hypocrellin A (HA) was detected as an oxidation product of a sterically hindered amine (tetramethylpiperidine oxide; TEMPO) by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic techniques. Azide inhibited the EPR signal intensity in a dose-dependent manner with a quenching rate constant of 3.86 x 10(8) M-1s-1 in ethanol. Deuterated solvents, known to increase the lifetime of singlet oxygen, augmented the EPR signal intensity. The rate of production of singlet oxygen was dependent not only upon the concentration of HA and the time of irradiation but also on the oxygen content of the reaction mixture. The hyperfine splitting constant (aN = 16.3 G) and g-value (g = 2.0056) of the photoproduct of TEMP-singlet oxygen and TEMPO were found to be identical. This indicates that the nitroxide species detected by EPR spectroscopy generated by reacting TEMP with photogenerated 1O2 is TEMPO. The rate constant (kT) for the reaction of singlet oxygen with TEMP to form TEMPO radical was found to be 5.3 x 10(5) M-1s-1.     

On the Limited Stability of BDPA Radicals

1,3-Bis(diphenylene)-2-phenylallyl (BDPA)-based radicals are of interest as polarizing agents for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). For this purpose, a BDPA-nitroxide biradical, employing a phosphodiester linkage, was synthesized. Contrary to what is commonly assumed, BDPA-derived radicals were observed to have limited stability. Hence, the effects of various factors on the stability of BDPA radicals were investigated. Solvent polarity was found to play a significant role on degradation; a polar BDPA radical was observed to degrade faster in a non-polar solvent, whereas non-polar radicals were more unstable in polar solvents. The rate of decomposition was found to increase non-linearly with increasing radical concentration; a 2-fold increase in concentration led to a 3-fold increase in the rate of degradation. Collectively, these results indicate that the dimerization is a significant degradation pathway for BDPA radicals and indeed, a dimer of one BDPA radical was detected by mass spectrometry.     

A joint application of spectroscopic, electrochemical and theoretical approaches in evaluation of the radical scavenging activity of 3-OH flavones and their iron complexes towards different radical species

Combined spectroscopic (UV/visible, MS and EPR), electrochemical (CV) and theoretical approaches were used to evaluate the relevant interactions of morin and quercetin, as well as their respective iron(III) complexes with DPPH, tempone, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. The results on iron complexation specify the stoichiometry and the relevant structural forms entering the chelation of the molecules. The spectroscopic DPPH assay shows better antioxidant activity of quercetin and its iron complex both in terms of EC(50) values and stoichiometry. The results of 2-deoxyribose degradation suggest that antioxidant activities of morin and quercetin may originate from their combined effect of iron chelation and radical scavenging. The distinctive difference in the EPR spectra of morin and quercetin radicals suggests different positions of the radical centers which may account for different sequences of their activities towards investigated radicals. Activity ranking of quercetin and morin, established by cyclic voltammetry, confirms their activity sequence obtained by EPR results and is also in agreement with the results of conformational analysis. The equilibrium geometries, optimized with the M052X functionals and 6-311G(d,p) basis set, predict structural modifications between the ligand molecules in the free state and in the complex structures. The arguments gained through experimental results can also be rationalized in terms of overall molecular geometry and structural features governing antioxidant behavior i.e. substitution pattern of the ring B.     

EPR AND TREPR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF ANTIOXIDANT SESAMOLYL AND RELATED PHENOXYL RADICALS

Abstract Sesamolyl and related phenoxyl radicals were studied by conventional and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic techniques. Continuous UV irradiation of sesamol in benzene produces two types of radicals. Based on the hyperfine coupling values obtained we determined that one is the neutral sesamolyl radical and the others are the dimer radicals. Comparison was made with related compounds, especially 3,4-dime-thoxyphenol. We found that the 3,4-dimethoxyphenoxyl radical had a shorter lifetime than the neutral sesamolyl radical. The EPR results obtained suggest that a near perpendicular orientation of the oxygen p -orbitals with respect to the benzene ring of sesamol makes the radical more stable. This stability may be important for the antioxidant properties.     

Intermolecular interactions on photolytically generated anion radicals of maleic anhydride measured by EPR

This paper deals with the results of EPR measurements and semi-empirical INDO calculations concerning the influence of intramolecular vibrations and specific intermolecular interactions between the maleic anhydride (MA) anion radical and polar solvents on the EPR coupling constants. The solvent dependence of the EPR coupling is caused by hydrogen bonding interactions with the solvent molecules.The lower the absolute values of the coupling constants, the stronger the solvent-radical anion interaction. The probable solvation structure of the two radical states, A and B, of the anion radical are discussed.     

Effect of Oxygen Free Radicals on Myosin in Muscle Fibres. A DSC and EPR study

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR, both conventional and saturation transfer EPR) were used to study the motional dynamics and segmental flexibility of myosin in muscle fibres in the presence of free radical generating system. Muscle fibre bundles isolated from psoas muscle of rabbit were spin-labelled with maleimide- and isothiocyanate-based probe molecules at the reactive sulfhydryl sites (Cys-707) of the motor domain. In the presence of hydroxyl free radicals the spectral intensity of the maleimide probe molecules decreased with time following a single exponential curve. MgADP and MgATP plus orthovanadate that produce flexibility changes in the multisubunit structure of myosin enhanced the reduction of the attached nitroxide molecules in free radical generating system. The analysis of the EPR spectra of spin-labelled and oriented fibres showed that the narrow distribution of spin labels changed in the presence of hydroxyl free radicals. Spectrum analysis by computer subtraction showed that short irradiation by UV light resulted in the enhancement of the ordered population at the expense of the disordered population. This suggests a transition of myosin heads from weak- binding state into strong-binding state. DSC measurements performed on calf cardiac myosin resulted in two main transitions at 49.4 and 54.1°C, respectively. Addition of MgADP produced a decrease of the 49.4°C transition, whereas a shift towards higher temperature was detected at the 54.1°C transition. It shows that there is an inter-site communication between the domains of the myosin. Hydroxyl free radicals induced further shifts of the transition temperatures and affected the width of the heat absorption curves. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Intermediate free radicals in the oxidation of wastewaters

The cleaning action on wastewater as obtained through oxidation methods has been investigated by means of EPR spectroscopy to achieve qualitative and quantitative information on the radicals produced upon utilising peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide with and without UV irradiation. The DEPMPO spin trap was employed to detect hydroxyl and carbon-centred short living radicals during water disinfection, either in the absence or in the presence of UV-C irradiation. Moreover, three different kinds of water (wastewater, demineralized water, distilled water) were analysed in order to assess the contribution of Fenton reactions to the radical production. The spectroscopic results are discussed in relation to the efficiency of the different oxidising agents and UV irradiation in wastewater disinfection evaluated as Escherichia coli, faecal and total coliforms inactivation.     

Photochemistry of naphthalene diimides: EPR study of free radical formation via photoredox process

Earlier studies have shown that on exposure to UVA, hydroperoxynaphthalene diimide (IA) generates hydroxyl radicals, induces DNA strand scission, and kills cells.Here we employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin trapping to investigate the free radical photochemistry of IA and that of related naphthalene diimides, which are devoid of the hydroperoxyl moiety (N,N'-bis[2-methyl]-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide [IB], N,N'-bis[2-thiomethyl-2-methoxyethyl]-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide [IC]) and therefore are unable to generate hydroxyl radicals. It is shown that on UV irradiation (>300 nm) in air-free methanol or ethanol solutions all these naphthalene diimides undergo one-electron reduction to corresponding anion radicals, positively identified by EPR. With EPR and a spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), we found that the photogeneration of the naphthalene diimide radicals is concomitant with the formation of radicals from the solvents, presumably through electron/hydrogen atom abstraction by photoactivated diimides. Irradiation of IA, IB or IC in the presence of oxygen generates superoxide, which was detected as a DMPO adduct. The high photoreactivity of IB and IC supports the notion that hydroperoxide IA can induce oxidative damage via photoprocesses that are independent of *OH generation. These observations could be pertinent to the application of naphthalene diimides as selective photonucleases, PDT anticancer agents or both.     

An amphiphilic molecular basket sensitive to both solvent changes and UV irradiation

A molecular basket was obtained by linking four cholate units to a cone-shaped calix[4]arene scaffold through azobenzene spacers. The molecule turns its polar faces inward in nonpolar solvents to bind polar molecules such as sugar derivatives. In polar solvents, the nonpolar faces turn inward, allowing the binding of hydrophobic guests such as pyrene. The molecule can also respond to UV irradiation by trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene spacers. Response toward both solvents and UV light is fully reversible.     

Experimental evidence for the formation of HXeCCH: the first hydrocarbon with an inserted rare-gas atom

Combined FTIR and EPR studies of acetylene irradiated with fast electrons in a solid xenon matrix provide experimental evidence for the formation of HXeCCH, a novel-type organic molecule with an inserted rare-gas atom. The new species resulting from the reaction of H atoms with CCH radicals in xenon was characterized by an intense IR absorption at 1486.0 cm(-1) corresponding to Xe-H stretching.     

Reactive oxygen species produced upon photoexcitation of sunscreens containing titanium dioxide (an EPR study)

Commercial sunscreen products containing titanium dioxide were irradiated with lambda>300 nm and the formation of oxygen- (.OH, O2.-/.OOH) and carbon-centered radicals was monitored by EPR spectroscopy and spin trapping technique using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone as spin traps, and free nitroxide radical 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl. The photoinduced production of singlet oxygen was shown by 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-piperidine. The generation of reactive oxygen radical species upon irradiation of sunscreens significantly depends on their composition, as the additives present (antioxidants, radical-scavengers, solvents) can transform the reactive radicals formed to less harmful products. The continuous in situ irradiation of titanium dioxide powder, recommended for cosmetic application, investigated in different solvents (water, dimethyl sulfoxide, isopropyl myristate) resulted in the generation of oxygen-centered reactive radical species (superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl and alkoxyl radicals).     

Selective degradation of lignin and elimination of HO radicals in pulps by O_3 and UV laser flash irradiation

HO radical is an aggressive reagent to abstract hydrogen from diverse substitutes and lead them to degradation, however, in reaction of active oxygen species with lignins, complex phenolic polymers, in dispersed lignocellulose such as pulp for environment-benign delignification, HO radicals should be eliminated as more as possible to prevent cellulose from unfavorably concomitant degradation. A reaction system of O3 is constructed under UV laser flash irradiation, and HO radicals are controlled efficiently by it. A new mechanism is proposed, for the first time, that O radicals generated from reaction of O3 with UV laser flash irradiation might be the contributor to scavenge HO radicals.     

Anomalous excimer formation of a pyrenyl derivative having a mesogen group of alkoxycyanobiphenyl in its smectic mesophase

The direct photolysis of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) in aqueous solution was investigated under monochromatic ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at 254 nm. ABTS was found to be directly photolyzed by UV irradiation to yield the one-electron oxidized radical, ABTS⁺, which is a blue-green colored persistent radical species that has strong visible absorption bands. The photochemical production of ABTS⁺ was strongly dependent on the solution pH and the presence of dissolved oxygen. The presence of dissolved oxygen increased the quantum yields at pH 3, whereas it inhibited the production of ABTS⁺ at pH 6.5. Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric data indicated that ABTS photolysis may occur as a result of the transfer of one-electron between the singlet excited state and the ground state of ABTS. Observations made during UV/H₂O₂ experiments with ABTS suggested that the dependence of the photoloysis of ABTS on the solution pH and the presence of dissolved oxygen is related to the role of the hydroperoxyl/superoxide radical (HO₂/O₂⁻), which appears to be formed via a secondary reaction of the reduced intermediate of ABTS with dissolved oxygen. The proposed photolytic reactions were supported by the observed stoichiometry between the amount of ABTS⁺ radicals produced and the amount of ABTS molecules decomposed.     

Nitroxyl radical reactions with 4-pentenyl- and cyclopropylketenes: new routes to 5-hexenyl- and cyclopropylmethyl radicals

4-Pentenylketenes 4a and 9 and cyclopropylketenes 3a, 13, 14 (RCH=C=O) are generated by photochemical Wolff rearrangements and observed by IR as relatively long-lived species at room temperature in hydrocarbon solvents. The reactions of these ketenes with the nitroxyl radicals tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO, TO*) and tetramethylisoindoline-2-oxyl (TMIO, IO*) form carboxy substituted 5-hexenyl and cyclopropylmethyl radicals which are either trapped by a second nitroxyl radical or undergo rearrangements followed by trapping. The rate constant of the reaction of 4a with TEMPO was similar to that of n-BuCH=C=O (1b), while 3a was 4.3 times more reactive, indicating cyclopropyl stabilization of the incipient radical.