Regioselectivity of enzymatic and photochemical single electron transfer promoted carbon-carbon bond fragmentation reactions of tetrameric lignin model compounds

New types of tetrameric lignin model compounds, which contain the common β-O-4 and β-1 structural subunits found in natural lignins, have been prepared and carbon-carbon bond fragmentation reactions of their cation radicals, formed by photochemical (9,10-dicyanoanthracene) and enzymatic (lignin peroxidase) SET-promoted methods, have been explored. The results show that cation radical intermediates generated from the tetrameric model compounds undergo highly regioselective C-C bond cleavage in their β-1 subunits. The outcomes of these processes suggest that, independent of positive charge and odd-electron distributions, cation radicals of lignins formed by SET to excited states of sensitizers or heme-iron centers in enzymes degrade selectively through bond cleavage reactions in β-1 vs β-O-4 moieties. In addition, the findings made in the enzymatic studies demonstrate that the sterically large tetrameric lignin model compounds undergo lignin peroxidase-catalyzed cleavage via a mechanism involving preliminary formation of an enzyme-substrate complex.     

Carbon-carbon bond cleavage reactions of 1,2-diamines initiated by photoinduced electron transfer

The oxidative photofragmentations of a series of 1,2-diamines have been studied in reaction with photoexcited electron acceptors under a variety of conditions. All the diamines were found to undergo a clean two electron redox reaction (in the presence of trace amounts of water) to produce after cleavage, two free amines, two aldehydes, and the reduced acceptor. Investigation of the role of variables (solvent, acceptor, temperature, isotope effects, etc.) on the quantum yields for diamine fragmentation leads to a mechanistic picture in which the critical step in the reaction is an unassisted fragmentation. Although formally similar to the photoreactions of previously studied aminoalcohols, the photoinduced electron transfer fragmentation reaction of 1,2-diamines shows key mechanistic differences and is apparently both a more general reaction and significantly more rapid in several cases.     

Orientation selective bond cleavage reactions of biphenyl-fused 1,2-diphenylcyclobutanes initiated by electron transfer

Biphenyl-fused 1,2-diphenylcyclobutanes underwent orientation selective bond cleavage in the photosensitized reactions using DCA as a sensitizer or aminium cation radical catalysed reactions.     

Light-induced electron transfer reactions

The reactions of the luminescent excited states of the polypyridine-ruthenium(II) complexes (^*RuL₃²⁺) with electron acceptors and donors are discussed. These electron transfer reactions convert the excited state into RuL₃³⁺ and RuL₃⁺, respectively. The former ruthenium complex is a more powerful oxidant and the latter is a more powerful reductant than the excited state itself. Some applications of these complexes in the conversion and storage of solar energy are presented. Theoretical models for electron transfer reactions are described and the implications of these models for the quenching and back electron transfer reactions are discussed. It is pointed out that the exploitation of the inverted region may provide a useful means of slowing down back electron transfer reactions.     

Dissociative electron transfer reactions

We consider recent data on dissociative electron transfer reactions in which the electron transfer causes practically concerted dissociation of the chemical bond in the reagent. We discuss considerable experimental data on reactions in the gas phase and in solutions, and also existing theoretical models for describing the kinetics of these complex processes. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 67–78, March–April, 1998.     

C-O bond fragmentation of 4-picolyl- and N-methyl-4-picolinium esters triggered by photochemical electron transfer

Photochemical reduction of several 4-picolyl- and N-methyl-4-picolinium esters was examined using product analysis, laser flash photolysis, and fluorescence quenching. It is demonstrated that the radical (anions) formed in these reactions readily fragment to yield a carboxylic acid and a 4-pyridylmethyl radical intermediate. The high chemical and quantum yields observed for these photoreactions suggests that these esters can be used as photolabile protecting groups.     

Charge remote fragmentation in electron capture and electron transfer dissociation

Secondary fragmentations of three synthetic peptides (human αA crystallin peptide 1-11, the deamidated form of human βB2 crystallin peptide 4-14, and amyloid β peptide 25-35) were studied in both electron capture dissociation (ECD) and electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) mode. In ECD, in addition to c and z· ion formations, charge remote fragmentations (CRF) of z· ions were abundant, resulting in internal fragment formation or partial/entire side-chain losses from amino acids, sometimes several residues away from the backbone cleavage site, and to some extent multiple side-chain losses. The internal fragments were observed in peptides with basic residues located in the middle of the sequences, which was different from most tryptic peptides with basic residues located at the C-terminus. These secondary cleavages were initiated by hydrogen abstraction at the α-, β-, or γ-position of the amino acid side chain. In comparison, ETD generates fewer CRF fragments than ECD. This secondary cleavage study will facilitate ECD/ETD spectra interpretation, and help de novo sequencing and database searching.     

Photochemical electron transfer reactions in alkylcobaloximes

It is shown that photolysis with visible light (λ > 420 nm) of any alkylcobaloxime procedes via a mechanism involving an initial electron transfer reaction from an equatorial ligand to the central metal to produce a cobalt(II) species which retains both original axial ligands. In a subsequent rearrangement of the equatorial ligand a hydrogen atom is ejected.     

Activation entropy of electron transfer reactions

We report microscopic calculations of free energies and entropies for intramolecular electron transfer reactions. The calculation algorithm combines the atomistic geometry and charge distribution of a molecular solute obtained from quantum calculations with the microscopic polarization response of a polar solvent expressed in terms of its polarization structure factors. The procedure is tested on a donor–acceptor complex in which ruthenium donor and cobalt acceptor sites are linked by a four-proline polypeptide. The reorganization energies and reaction energy gaps are calculated as a function of temperature by using structure factors obtained from our analytical procedure and from computer simulations. Good agreement between two procedures and with direct computer simulations of the reorganization energy is achieved. The microscopic algorithm is compared to the dielectric continuum calculations. We found that the strong dependence of the reorganization energy on the solvent refractive index predicted by continuum models is not supported by the microscopic theory. Also, the reorganization and overall solvation entropies are substantially larger in the microscopic theory compared to continuum models.     

Photochemical electron transfer reactions of tirapazamine

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of 3-aminobenzo-1,2,4-triazine di-N-oxide (tirapazamine) have been recorded and exhibit a dependence on solvent that correlates with the Dimroth ET30 parameter. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations reveal that the transition of tirapazamine in the visible region is pi-->pi* in nature. The fluorescence lifetime is 98+/-2 ps in water. The fluorescence quantum yield is approximately 0.002 in water. The fluorescence of tirapazamine is efficiently quenched by electron donors via an electron-transfer process. Linear Stern-Volmer fluorescence quenching plots are observed with sodium azide, potassium thiocyanate, guanosine monophosphate and tryptophan (Trp) methyl ester hydrochloride. Guanosine monophosphate, tyrosine (Tyr) methyl ester hydrochloride and Trp methyl ester hydrochloride appear to quench the fluorescence at a rate greater than diffusion control implying that these substrates complex with tirapazamine in its ground state. This complexation was detected by absorption spectroscopy.     

Tuning reactivity and chemoselectivity in electron transfer initiated cyclization reactions: applications to carbon-carbon bond formation

In this communication, we demonstrate that the scope of our electron transfer initiated cyclization reaction can be significantly broadened by exploiting the relationship between the oxidation potentials of homobenzylic ethers and the mesolytic benzylic carbon-carbon bond dissociation energies of their radical cations. By lowering the oxidation potential of the electrophore and the benzylic carbon-carbon bond dissociation energy, we can initiate reactions under mild, nonphotochemical conditions. The selectivity of the arene oxidation and the mild reaction conditions allow a variety of electron-rich olefins to serve as nucleophilic groups to form carbon-carbon bonds with excellent efficiency.     

Photochemical initiation of electron transfer reactions.

It is quite apparent that the use of photoinitiated electron transfer has become a powerful, if not dominating, technique in the study of biological electron transfer. It provides a means to measure directly very fast processes and, through the choice of approach (flavin semiquinones or related, metal substitution in hemes or modification with ruthenium) and experimental conditions, provides the ability to probe different features of the electron transfer mechanism. Nevertheless, much remains to be done to fully understand biological electron transfer. The use of photoinitiated electron transfer has clearly established a role for a number of factors involved in controlling the kinetics of electron transfer, including driving force, distance, intervening media, dynamics (conformational gating) and orientation of redox centers. However, we have only scratched the surface in regard to understanding in molecular terms the details of electron transfer in physiologically relevant systems. Thus, even relatively simple and well characterized systems like cytochrome c-cytochrome c peroxidase remain obscure in terms of the through-protein electron paths (intervening media) and the role of protein dynamics in controlling electron transfer kinetics. Indeed, it is the through-protein paths and conformational gating that are unique to biological systems and provide nature with the capability of modulating electron transfer kinetics to optimize biological function. Of the techniques described here, the use of flavin semiquinones is clearly the least invasive in that there is no evidence that flavin semiquinones bind to or perturb physiologically relevant systems. However, this approach is constrained in that precise distances and orientations are not always known, and the range of driving forces available is limited. In contrast, metal substitution and ruthenation allow the positions of interacting redox centers to be reasonably well defined and can provide a very large range of driving force. This latter point is particularly important since it provides a means to discriminate between rate limiting electron transfer and conformational gating. Nevertheless, chemically modifying redox proteins runs the risk of structural and electrostatic alterations which can be difficult to detect but have profound effects on the redox kinetics. Moreover, the intrinsic protein dynamics can be affected, resulting, in the worst case, in changes in conformational gating which cannot be resolved from rate limiting electron transfer. Given the early stage of development of photo-initiated electron transfer, substantial progress can be expected in the next few years. No doubt new approaches will be developed and existing approaches further refined. Especially important, the theoretical basis for interpreting and understanding electron transfer will continue to evolve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Salt effects in photoinduced electron transfer reactions

Metal salts and oxygen react synergistically to inhibit back-electron-transfer in photoinduced reactions.     

1,3-二碘六氟丙烷的电子转移反应

在四醋酸铅的催化下,二氟二碘甲烷(CF2I2,1)与四氟乙烯加成生成1,3-二碘六氟丙烷(ICF2CF2CF2I,3).3与烯烃、炔烃和丙二酸二乙酯阴离子发生电子转移反应。     

Anionic vinyl polymerization and polycombination reactions induced by electron transfer reactions

1, 1-Diphenylethylene is not capable of being homopolymerized, neither by radical nor by anionic mechanism. This is due to both electronical and sterical reasons. 1, 1-Diphenylethylene, however, is eligible to electron transfer reactions to yield the radical anion which subsequently upon combination reaction forms the dimeric dianion. On the other hand, 1, 1-diphenylethylene may be subjected to the nucleophilic addition of strong nucleophiles such as carbanions, e.g., butyllithium or polystyryllithium. Upon this reaction, a carbanion is formed the nucleophilicity of which is significantly reduced as compared with that of the starting carbanion. Molecules containing the characteristic group of 1, 1-diphenylethylene twice, in analogous reactions, may be subjected to polycombination reactions upon electron transfer. The polymers exhibit cyclic or linear structure depending on the molecular structure of the starting divinylidene compound. Upon reaction with carbanionic species, biscarbanions are formed which may be used as initiators for the anionic polymerization of suitable monomers. A variety of divinylidene compounds and their specific features are presented.     

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions of rose bengal and selected electron donors

The photoinduced electron transfer reactions of the triplet state of rose bengal (RB) and several electron donors were investigated by the complementary techniques of steady state and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and laser flash photolysis (LFP). The yield of radicals varied with the light fluence rate, RB concentration and, in particular, the electron donor used. Thus for L-dopa (dopa, dihydroxyphenylalanine) only 10% of RB anion radical (RB√−) was produced, with double the yield observed with NADH (NAD, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) as quencher and more than three times the yield observed with ascorbate as quencher. Quenching of the RB triplet was both reactive and physical with total quenching rate constants of 4 × 10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ and 8.5 × 10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ for ascorbate and NADH respectively. The rate constant for the photoinduced electron transfer from ascorbate to RB triplet was 1.4 × 10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ as determined by Fourier transform EPR (FT EPR). FT EPR spectra were spin polarized in emission at early times indicating a radical pair mechanism for the chemically induced dynamic electron polarization. Subsequent to the initial electron transfer production of radicals, a complex series of reactions was observed, which were dominated by processes such as recombination, disproportionation and secondary (bleaching) reactions.

It was observed that back electron transfer reactions could be prevented by mild oxidants such as ferric compounds and duroquinone, which were efficiently reduced by RB√−.     

Low-field CIDNP study of photoinduced electron transfer reactions

Chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization in low magnetic field (low-field CIDNP) has been detected and studied in photoinduced electron transfer reactions in the polar solvent acetonitrile. For the radical-ion reactions two different approaches to interpret the low-field CIDNP are demonstrated: interpretation of the low-field CIDNP sign on the basis of quality relationships, and numerical calculations of the CIDNP field dependence. Analysis shows that low-field CIDNP in these reactions is sensitive to the value of the electron exchange interactions in radical-ion pairs.     

Peculiarities and paradoxes of photoinduced electron transfer reactions

Many chemical reactions involve the electron transfer stage. The kinetics of photoinduced electron transfer reactions is commonly considered in terms of either the transition state theory as preliminary thermally activated reorganization of the medium and reactants (necessary for degeneracy of the electronic levels of the reactants and the products) or nonradiative quantum transitions, which do not require preliminary activation and are observed in the exoergic region. A new approach to the kinetics of such reactions that has been proposed recently considers a substantial reduction of the barrier in the contact reactant pair due to strong electronic interaction and takes into account the intermediate formation of a charge transfer complex. This approach has explained many well-known important features of electron transfer reactions that are inconsistent with the first two theories.