First steps in radiation-induced hydrogel synthesis: radical formation and oligomerization in dilute aqueous N-isopropylacrylamide solutions

The reactions of hydroxyl radical, hydrogen atom and hydrated electron intermediates of water radiolysis with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) were studied by pulse radiolysis in dilute aqueous solutions. OH, H and e_aq⁻ react with NIPAAm with rate coefficient of (6.9±1.2)×10⁹, (6.6±1)×10⁹, and (1.0±0.2)×10¹⁰ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹. In OH and H radical addition to the double bond mainly -carboxyalkyl type radicals form, (OHCH₂CH^√C(N-i-C₃H₇)O and CH₃CH^√C(N-i-C₃H₇)O). In reaction of e_aq⁻ oxygen atom centered radical anion is produced (CH₂CHC^√(N-i-C₃H₇)O⁻), the anion undergoes reversible protonation with pK_a=8.7. There is also an irreversible protonation on the β-carbon atom that produces the same radical as forms in H atom reaction (CH₃CH^√C(N-i-C₃H₇)O). The -carboxyalkyl type radicals at low NIPAAm concentration (0.1–1 mmol dm⁻³) mainly disappear in self-termination reactions, 2k_t,m=8.4×10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹. At higher concentrations the decay curves reflect the competition of the self-termination and radical addition to monomer (propagation). The termination rate coefficient of oligomer radicals containing a few monomer units is 2k_t≈2×10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s¹.     

Pulse radiolysis of pyridine and methylpyridines in aqueous solutions

The radicals formed from pyridine, 3-methylpyridine, 3,5-dimethylpyridine, 2,6-dimethylpyridine and 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine by attack of H, e^-_aq, OH and O^•- in acqueous solutions were investigated by pulse radiolysisin the pH-range 1–13.8. The UV-vis. absorption spectra as well as the formation and decay kinetics for the protonated and unprotonated forms of the methylpyridine radicals studied are presented. The pK_a-values for the OH-adducts were determined.     

Radiation crosslinking and scission of poly(vinyl methyl ether) in aqueous solution

For a wide range of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PMVE) concentrations (1–16 g dm⁻³), in anoxic conditions, polymer-derived radicals recombine in two major pathways: (i) crosslinking and (ii) disproportionation. Both these processes proceed inter- and intramolecularly. The radiation-chemical yields and kinetics of crosslinking have been studied by pulse radiolysis with light scattering intensity detection (LSI). In the absence of oxygen, G-values of intermolecular crosslinking were determined on the basis of LSI changes versus applied dose and compared with the results obtained previously for γ-irradiated samples. It has been found that the first half-life time of intermolecular crosslinking decreases with increasing dose per pulse. Addition of small amounts of macroradical scavenger (cysteamine hydrochloride) decreases, drastically, the increase of LSI signal. On increasing the PVME concentration, intermolecular crosslinking becomes more efficient.

In the presence of oxygen, for diluted PVME solution (0.1 g dm⁻³), decrease of LSI signal consisting of the kinetic of a first-order reaction was observed. The rate constant of LSI decrease was found to be 1.1×10³ s⁻¹ and it was attributed to the main-chain scission.     

Redox reactions of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (o-vanillin) in aqueous solution

Pulse radiolysis technique has been employed to study the reactions of oxidizing (^√OH, N₃^√) and reducing radicals (e⁻_aq, CO₂^√−, acetone ketyl radical) with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (o-vanillin) at different pH. Hydroxyl radicals react mostly by addition reaction forming radical adducts (λ_max=420 nm) and the oxidation is only a minor process even in the alkaline region. The reaction with azide radicals produced phenoxyl radicals (λ_max=340 nm), which are formed on fast deprotonation of solute radical cation. Using PMZ^√+/PMZ and ABTS^√−/ABTS²⁻ as the reference couple, different methods are employed to determine the one-electron reduction potential of o-vanillin and the average value is estimated to be 1.076±0.004 V vs. NHE at pH 6. The phenoxyl radicals of o-vanillin were able to oxidize ABTS²⁻ quantitatively. The e_aq⁻ is observed to react with o-vanillin with rate constant value of 2×10¹⁰ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. CO₂^√− and acetone ketyl radical are also observed to react with o-vanillin by electron transfer mechanism and showed the formation of transient absorption bands with λ_max at 350 and 390 nm at pH 4.5 and 9.7, respectively. The pK_a of the one-electron reduced species was determined to be 8.1. The results indicate that the aldehydic group is the most preferred site for electron addition.     

One-electron oxidation of mitomycin C and its corresponding peroxyl radicals. A steady-state and pulse radiolysis study

The one-electron oxidation of Mitomycin C (MMC) as well as the formation of the corresponding peroxyl radicals were investigated by both steady-state and pulse radiolysis. The steady-state MMC-radiolysis by OH-attack followed at both absorption bands showed different yields: at 218 nm G_i (-MMC) = 3.0 and at 364 nm G_i (-MMC) = 3.9, indicating the formation of various not yet identified products, among which ammonia was determined, G(NH₃) = 0.81. By means of pulse radiolysis it was established a total κ (OH + MMC) = (5.8 ± 0.2) × 10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The transient absorption spectrum from the one-electron oxidized MMC showed absorption maxima at 295 nm (ε = 9950 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm^t-1), 410 nm (ε = 1450 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 505 nm ( ε = 5420 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹). At 280–320 and 505 nm and above they exhibit in the first 150 μs a first order decay, κ₁ = (0.85 ± 0.1) × 10³ s⁻¹, and followed upto ms time range, by a second order decay, 2κ = (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁸ dm³ mol^-1 s⁻¹. Around 410 nm the kinetics are rather mixed and could not be resolved.

The steady-state MMC-radiolysis in the presence of oxygen featured a proportionality towards the absorbed dose for both MMC-absorption bands, resulting in a G_i (-MMC) = 1.5. Among several products ammonia-yield was determined G(NH₃) = 0.52. The formation of MMC-peroxyl radicals was studied by pulse radiolysis, likewise in neutral aqueous solution, but saturated with a gas mixture of 80% N₂O and 20% O₂. The maxima of the observed transient spectrum are slightly shifted compared to that of the one-electron oxidized MMC-species, namely: 290 nm (ε = 10100 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹), 410 nm (ε = 2900 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 520 nm (ε = 5500 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The O₂-addition to the MMC-one-electron oxidized transients was found to be at 290 to 410 nm gk(MMC·OH + O₂) = 5 × 10⁷ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, around 480 nm κ = 1.6 × 10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and at 510 nm and above, κ = 3 × 10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The decay kinetics of the MMC-peroxyl radicals were also found to be different at the various absorption bands, but predominantly of first order; at 290–420 nm κ₁ = 1.5 × 10³ s⁻¹ and at 500 nm and above, κ = 7.0 × 10³ s⁻¹.

The presented results are of interest for the radiation behaviour of MMC as well as for its application as an antitumor drug in the combined radiation-chemotherapy of patients.     

γ-radiolysis and pulse radiolysis of aqueous 4-chloroanisole

Using pulse radiolysis and steady state γ-radiolysis in combination with product analysis by HPLC the radiolytic degradation mechanism of 4-chloroanisole (4-ClAn) has been elucidated. Pulse radiolysis experiments show that OH radicals react in neutral aqueous N₂O saturated solutions with 4-ClAn by addition to all aromatic ring positions to yield hydroxycyclohexadienyl radicals (OH-adducts), k(OH + 4-ClAn) = 6.5 × 10⁹dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹. Those OH-adducts formed on ipso positions of the molecule subsequently undergo HCl or CH₃OH elimination forming methoxyphenoxyl- and chlorophenoxyl radicals. Their yield corresponds to 20% of the OH-radicals, whereby the distribution is roughly 3:1 in favor of the methoxyphenoxyl radicals, which reflects the stronger ortho-, para-directing activity of the methoxy group. The OH-adducts decay second order, 2k = 1 × 10⁹dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹. The presence of oxygen leads to its addition on the hydroxycyclohexadienyl radicals, k(OH-adduct + O₂) = 3.2 × 10⁸dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹. In airfree solution the reaction of H-atom with the substrate, k(H + 4-ClAn) = 1.2 × 10⁹dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹, results in H-adducts which decay in bimolecular reactions, 2k = 8.2 × 10⁸dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹. The rate constant for the reaction of the solvated electrons has been determined to k(e_aq⁻ + 4-ClAn) = 2 × 10⁹dm³mol⁻¹s⁻¹. The absorption spectra of H- and OH-adducts were measured in the range of 280–450 nm. The products analysed by HPLC after γ-radiolysis in dependence of dose (100–600 Gy) are given for N₂O-, air-, oxygen- and argon saturated neutral aqueous solutions. In conditions favoring the OH radical oxidation 4-chlorophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 5-chloro-2-methoxyphenol and 2-chloro-5-methoxyphenol were determined as final products. In the presence of Ar, where about equal amounts of OH and e_aq⁻ are present, additionally anisole could be detected. Under both reaction conditions the amount of identified products is about 20% of decomposed 4-ClAn. The reaction of e_aq⁻ leads to reductive dechlorination which corresponds quantitatively to the degradation of the substrate. In the presence of air or solutions saturated with pure oxygen predominantly hydroquinone, 4-chlorophenol and muconic acids are formed and the material balance is 50%. The efficient dechlorination (60% of the decomposed 4-ClAn) as well as ring fragmentation products as intermediates en route to complete mineralization in oxygenated solution indicate that high energy radiation is a promising method for degradation of halogenated aromatic compounds in water. Variation of dose rates from 79 Gy min⁻¹ to 266 Gy min⁻¹ did not show any influence on the product distribution.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between silver(III) and thiourea in aqueous alkaline media

The tetrahydroxoargentate(III) ion, Ag(OH)₄⁻, is rapidly reduced by thiourea (tu) in accordance with the three term rate law RATE = {k₁+(k₂+k₃[OH⁻])[tu]}[Ag^III] where k₁ = 1.08 s⁻¹, k₂ = 1.46 x 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k₃ = 2.02 x 10³ M⁻² s⁻¹. The k₁ path occurs via the rate-determining aquation of Ag(OH)₄⁻ while the other two paths involve axial attack of thiourea on silver. The higher values of k₂ and k₃ compared to the ethylenediamine reaction, which obeys the same rate law, is a reflection of the greater nucleophilicity of tu.

Following the redox reaction, solutions become brown in a reaction that obeys pseudo-first-order kinetics. Similar behaviour is observed when tu is replaced by Na₂S or thio-acetamide and when Ag^I reacts with any of these sulphur containing compounds. We attribute this process to the Ag^I promoted formation of sulphide species which eventually precipitate as Ag₂S.     

Pulse radiolysis studies of 4,7-phenanthroline(II)

The one-electron reduction of 4,7-phenanthroline (P) in aqueous solutions at neutral pH has been further studied by pulse radiolysis. The spectral and kinetic properties of the transient formed due to the reaction of 4,7-phenanthroline with hydrated electron were investigated. The transient absorption spectrum obtained 5μs after the pulse exhibits a broad band with a λ_max at 420 nm. The λ_max is 10 nm blue shift compared with the absorption spectrum obtained at pH 2.9 where the reactant was the protonated form. The bimolecular'rate constant of the reaction of 4,7-phenanthroline with hydrated electron was 0etermined to be (2.2±0.1)×10¹⁰ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. It was found that the decay of the transient was mainly following a first-order kinetics. The first-order decay rate constant was determined to be (1.25±0.1)×10⁴s⁻¹.     

Redox reactions of V(III) and Cr(III)picolinate complexes in aqueous solutions

Reactions of e_aq⁻, H-atoms, OH, (CH₃)₂COH, and CO₂⁻ radicals with V(III)picolinate and Cr(III)picolinate have been studied by the pulse radiolysis technique. The spectra of V(II)picolinate, V(IV)picolinate, Cr(II)picolinate, OH adduct of Cr(III)picolinate and Cr(IV)picolinate have been obtained and the rate constants of the reactions of various radicals with V(III) and Cr(III)picolinate have been determined. The implications of these results to the chemical decontamination of nuclear reactor systems are discussed.     

Reactions of oxidizing radicals with 2- and 3-aminopyridines: a pulse radiolysis study

Reactions of OH radicals and some one-electron oxidants with 2-aminopyridine (2-AmPy) and 3-aminopyridine (3-AmPy) were studied in aqueous solutions using pulse radiolysis technique. The OH adduct of 2-AmPy at pH 9 has an absorption maximum at 360 nm along with a weak absorption band in the visible region and was found to be reactive with oxygen. The rate constant for its reaction with O₂ was determined to be 1.0×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. At pH 4 also, the OH adduct of 2-AmPy has an absorption band at 360 nm. However, there are differences in the absorption at other wavelengths. From the plot of ΔOD vs. pH at 340 nm, the pK_a of the OH adduct was determined to be 6.5. Among the specific oxidants, only SO₄^−√ radicals were able to oxidize 2-AmPy. In the case of 3-aminopyridine (3-AmPy), the transient species formed by OH radical reaction at pH 9 has an absorption maximum at 410 nm with shoulder bands on both the sides. Its absorption spectrum at pH 4 was different indicating the existence of a pK value for the OH adduct. pK_a of 3-AmPy-OH radical adduct species was evaluated to be 5.7. This adduct species was also found to be reactive with oxygen (k=7.6×10⁶ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). Specific one-electron oxidants like N₃^√, Br₂^−√ C₂^−√ and SO₄^−√ were able to oxidize 3-AmPy indicating that it is easier to oxidize 3-AmPy as compared to 2-AmPy.     

Properties of phenoxyl radical of dehydrozingerone, a probable antioxidant

Free radical reactions of dehydrozingerone (DZ), a methoxy phenol, were studied at dfferent pHs with a variety of oxidants using nanosecond pulse radiolysis technique. Hydroxyl radical (OH) reaction with the phenolic form at pH 6 led mainly to the formation of an OH-adduct absorbing at 460 nm in addition to a minor oxidation product. On the other hand, at pH 10 with the deprotonated phenoxide ion, the only reaction observable was oxidation generating a phenoxyl radical absorbing at 360 nm. HPLC analysis indicated formation of two different products at pH 6 from addition and oxidation reactions, whereas at pH 10, only the oxidation product was detectable. Reactions of more specific secondary oxidizing radicals, N3√, Br√, Br⁻₂√ and Tl(II) with DZ gave rise to the phenoxyl radical over the entire pH range. DZ in the phenoxide ion form reacted with nitrogen dioxide and trichloromethyl peroxyl radicals with rate constants 6×10⁸ and 8.8×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively leading to the phenoxyl radicals. The DZ phenoxyl radical reacted with trolox C (an analogue of -tocopherol) with a rate constant of 8.3×10⁷ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. One electron reduction potential of the DZ phenoxyl radical at pH 6 was determined to be +1.1 V vs NHE using N3√/N⁻₃ as the standard couple.     

Radiation induced decomposition of tryptophan in the presence of oxygen

Tryptophan decomposition in oxygenated aqueous solutions in neutral media was investigated by gamma and pulsed electron irradiation. By using pulse radiolysis it was found that 27% of tryptophan OH-adducts eliminate water. Tryptophan neutral radical, Trp, thus formed reacts rapidly with O^-•₂, k(Trp^•+O^-•₂) = (4.5±0.7) × 10⁹M^-1s^-1. The remaining tryptophan OH-adducts react with oxygen to give peroxy radicals which may eliminate O^-•₂, produce _N-formylkynurenine and disproportionate yielding organic peroxides. Peroxy radicals derived from tryptophan H-adducts regenerate tryptophan by the elimination of HO^•₂, and recombine with TrpH(OH)OO^• radicals producing organic peroxides.     

Kinetics study of the gas-phase reactions of C2F5OC(O)H and n-C3F7OC(O)H with OH radicals at 253–328 K

The rate constants, k₁ and k₂ for the reactions of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with OH radicals were measured using an FT-IR technique at 253–328 K. k₁ and k₂ were determined as (9.24 ± 1.33) × 10⁻¹³ exp[−(1230 ± 40)/T] and (1.41 ± 0.26) × 10⁻¹² exp[−(1260 ± 50)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The random errors reported are ±2 σ, and potential systematic errors of 10% could add to the k₁ and k₂. The atmospheric lifetimes of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with respect to reaction with OH radicals were estimated at 3.6 and 2.6 years, respectively.     

TEMPO-initiated oxidation of 2-aminophenol to 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one

The oxidation reaction of 2-aminophenol (OAP) to 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one (APX) initiated by 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) has been investigated in methanol at ambient temperature. The oxidation of OAP was followed by electronic spectroscopy and the rate constants were determined according to the rate law −d[OAP]/dt=k_obs[OAP][TEMPO]. The rate constant, activation enthalpy and entropy at 298 K are as follows: k_obs (dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹)=(1.49±0.02)×10⁻⁴, E_a=18±5 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH^‡=15±4 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^‡=−82±17 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The results of oxidation of OAP show that the formation of 2-aminophenoxyl radical is the key step in the activation process of the substrate.     

Pulse radiolysis study of reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals originating from methyl tert-butyl ether in the gas phase

UV spectra and kinetics for the reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) were studied in 1 atm of SF₆ by the pulse radiolysis-UV absorption technique. UV spectra for the radical mixtures were quantified from 215 to 340 nm. At 240 nm. σ_R = (2.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² molecule⁻¹ and σ_RO2 = (4.1 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² molecule⁻¹ (base e). The rate constant for the self-reaction of the alkyl radicals is (2.5 ± 1.1) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The rate constants for reaction of the alkyl radicals with molecular oxygen and the alkylperoxy radicals with NO and NO₂ are (9.1 ± 1.5) × 10⁻¹³, (4.3 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹² and (1.2 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The rate constants given above refer to reaction at the tert-butyl side of the molecule.     

An ab initio molecular orbital study on the gas-phase rapid reaction of the silicon cation Si with ammonia

The gas-phase rapid ion-molecule reaction Si⁺ (²P) + NH₃→ SiNH₂⁺ + H is theoretically investigated by the ab initio molecular orbital methods. Several possible pathways (A, B, C) on its potential energy surface have been examined, discussed and compared. Theoretical calculations indicate that pathway A is favourable in energy and that the reaction begins by forming a collision complex of the ion-dipole molecule Si-NH⁺₃, which forms with no barrier into the first energy well of the reaction coordinate. Migration of an H atom from an N atom to a Si atom forms the intermediate HSi-NH⁺₂, which corresponds to the second energy well and can fragment to the observed product SiNH⁺₂ by losing an H atom from the Si atom. The barriers for migration and fragmentation are 52.5 and 38.6 kcal mol⁻¹ respectively. Pathway A has a negative activation energy of −42.1 kcal mol⁻¹.     

OH reactions with aliphatic alcohols: evaluation of kinetics by direct optical absorption measurement. A pulse radiolysis study

The kinetics of the reactions of hydroxyl radicals with aliphatic alcohols in aqueous solution were studied using pulse radiolysis. Based on the optical absorption observed in the UV region, the rate constants for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and tert-butyl alcohol were determined to be 9.0×10⁸, 2.2×10⁹, 2.0×10⁹ and 6.2×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The values obtained here by direct observation of the alcohol radicals basically confirm the values which were earlier determined indirectly by competition.     

The reactions of a dinuclear ferric complex (oxo) di-iron(III) triethylenetetraamminehexaacetate, Fe2O(ttha), with oxidizing and reducing free radicals. A pulse radiolysis study

The rate constants at which oxidizing and reducing radicals react with the dinuclear iron(III) complex Fe₂O(ttha)²⁻ were measured in neutral aqueous solution. The rate constants for reduction of the complex by ·CO₂^.− CH₃^.CHOH and O₂^.− were found to be comparable with rate constants previously measured in mononuclear iron(III) polyaminocarboxylate systems. Fe₂O(ttha)²⁻ reacts slowly with O₂^.− (k₈ = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) and, hence, is a relatively poor catalyst for the dismutation of superoxide radical. The hydrated electron reduces the complex at a diffusion-controlled rate in a process which consumes one proton: e_aq⁻ + Fe₂O(ttha)²⁻ → Fe₂^III,IIO(ttha)³⁻ The reduction by carbon-centered radicals produces a (III,II) mixed-valence complex with an absorption spectrum different from that of the Fe₂(II,III) species produced from reduction by the hydrated electron. The oxidizing radicals ^.OH and ·CO₃⁻ appear to act as reductants of the complex via ligand oxidation rather than by oxidation of the Fe₂^IIIO core to Fe₂^III,IVO. In the former case ligand attack appears to occur mainly at the methylene carbon of a glycinate group. The decarboxylation product, CO₂, was detected by its aquation reaction in the presence of a pH sensitive dye, bromthymol blue.     

Rate coefficients of the initial steps of radiation induced oligomerization of acrylates in dilute aqueous solution

The OH radical induced oligomerization in dilute aqueous solution of ethyl- and 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, methyl- and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, acrylamide and methacrylamide, ethyl-fumarate and maleate was investigated by pulse- and steady-state radiolysis. In pulse radiolysis the reactions were observed by measuring the absorbance of the -carboxyalkyl type radicals. At low concentration (1 mmol dm⁻³) the radicals decay in self-termination. At higher concentration there is a significant deviation from the simple second order behavior due to oligomerization. Computer programs were used to calculate the rate coefficients of propagation and termination at the beginning of oligomerization.     

A pulse radiolysis study of oil/water microemulsions

Absorption spectrum and the yield of e_aq⁻ determined in quaternary benzene/water and dodecane/water microemulsions were found to be identical with those in pure water. This indicates that the excess electrons produced in the oil droplets cross the oil/water interface and appear in the aqueous phase as hydrated electrons. On the contrary, it was found that the OH radical yield measured by converting into (SCN)₂^.− was directly proportional to the water content and there was no contribution from the oil phase. The e_aq⁻ decay in aerated microemulsion showed that the [O₂] in the aqueous phase was decreasing with continuous pulse irradiation and the estimated G(–O₂) in the oil was higher than in water. However, peroxides were predominantly formed in the aqueous phase and almost not in the oil. Rate constants for the addition of e_aq⁻ and OH to benzene in the benzene/water microemulsion and the following bimolecular decay of cyclohexadienyl and hydroxycyclohexadienyl radicals agree well with those reported in aqueous solutions.