Electrocatalytic oxidation of L-tyrosine by a nitroxide

The electrochemistry of L-tyrosine was studied by cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode. Although L-tyrosine itself showed very poor electrochemical response, the response could be greatly enhanced by using 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (HO-TEMPO) as a mediator that enables a sensitive determination of the substrate. An electrocatalytic EC' mechanism with the oxoammonium ion of HO-TEMPO as the active oxidant is proposed. The catalytic rate constant was determined to be 2.0 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) by using chronoamperometry.     

Azobenzene derivatives carrying a nitroxide radical

Several trans-azobenzene derivatives carrying a nitroxide (aminoxyl) radical (2a, 6a-12a) were prepared, and their photoisomerization reactions to the corresponding cis-isomers were investigated. Although no fruitful results could be obtained for the photoisomerizations of the derivatives with para-subsituents (9a-12a), the unsubstututed derivatives at the para-position (2a, 6a, 7a, 8a) were found to show photoisomerizations by irradiation to give the corresponding cis-isomers (2b, 6b, 7b, 8b), being isolated as relatively stable solid materials, and the change of the intermolecular magnetic interactions was apparently observed by the structural change for each photochromic couple.     

Triarylamine-combined nitronyl nitroxide and its hole-transporting property

N,N-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(1-oxyl-3-oxide-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-yl)phenylamine (1) was synthesized as a durable nitronyl nitroxide radical combined with a triarylamine moiety. Cyclic voltammetry and UV–Vis absorption spectra during the electrochemical oxidation of 1 revealed that the first redox was derived from the triarylamine moiety. The ionization potential of 1 was measured by photoelectron spectroscopy to be −5.4 eV, which was appropriate as a hole-transporting material. A single-layer hole-only device was fabricated with the radical molecule 1 dispersed in polycarbonate (ITO/1:polycarbonate/Al): The radical-layer exhibited a maximum current density of 0.2 mA/cm², which was applicable for organic electronic devices.     

1H NMR relaxation in glycerol solutions of nitroxide radicals: effects of translational and rotational dynamics

(1)H spin-lattice relaxation rates in glycerol solutions of selected nitroxide radicals at temperatures between 200 K and 400 K were measured at 15 MHz and 25 MHz. The frequency and temperature conditions were chosen in such a way that the relaxation rates go through their maximum values and are affected by neither the electron spin relaxation nor the electron-nitrogen nucleus hyperfine coupling, so that the focus could be put on the mechanisms of motion. By comparison with (1)H spin-lattice relaxation results for pure glycerol, it has been demonstrated that the inter-molecular electron spin-proton spin dipole-dipole interactions are affected not only by relative translational motion of the solvent and solute molecules, but also by their rotational dynamics as the interacting spins are displaced from the molecular centers; the eccentricity effects are usually not taken into account. The (1)H relaxation data have been decomposed into translational and rotational contributions and their relative importance as a function of frequency and temperature discussed in detail. It has been demonstrated that neglecting the rotational effects on the inter-molecular interactions leads to non-realistic conclusions regarding the translational dynamics of the paramagnetic molecules.     

Nitroxide-substituted nitronyl nitroxide and iminonitroxide

We report on the highly compact nitroxide-substituted nitronyl nitroxide 1 and iminonitroxide 2; they have isoelectronic structures with trimethylenemethane. These diradicals are stable under aerated conditions at room temperature and have large positive exchange interactions: J/k(B) = +390 K (H = -2JS(1)(/)(2)·S(1/2)) for 1 and J/k(B) ≈ +550 K for 2.     

Ab initio quantum chemical investigation of intramolecular magnetic interaction in some diradical derivatives of imino nitroxide and nitronyl nitroxide

The magnetic properties of the monoradicals 2-(4-phenyl acetylene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidozolyl-oxyl (1) and 2-(4-phenyl acetylene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-oxyl-3-oxide (2) and the diradicals 2,2'-(1,2-ethynediyldi-4,1-phenylene)bis[4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidozolyl-oxyl] (3), 2,2'-(1,2-ethynediyldi-4,1 3,1-phenylene)bis[4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidozolyl-oxyl] (4), and 2,2'-(1,2-ethynediyldi-4,1 3,1-phenylene)bis[4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-oxyl-3-oxide] (5) are investigated by ab initio quantum chemical methods. The rule of spin alternation in the unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) method clearly shows that the radical sites are antiferromagnetically coupled in 3 and ferromagnetically coupled in 4 and 5, which is consistent with a previous experiment. The molecular geometries are optimized at Hartree-Fock levels. This is followed by single-point calculations using the density functional (UB3LYP) treatment and the multiconfigurational complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) methodology. Magnetic exchange coupling constants are determined from the broken-symmetry approach. The calculated J values, -3.60 cm(-1) for 3, 0.16 cm(-1) for 4, and 0.67 cm(-1) for 5, are in excellent agreement with the observed values. Because of the very large size of the diradicals 3-5, the CASSCF (10,10) calculations cannot yield realistic J values. Nevertheless, the CASSCF calculations support the antiferromagnetic nature of the magnetic coupling in 3 and the ferromagnetic nature of the coupling in 4 and 5. The existence of an intramolecular magnetic coupling in 3-5 is also confirmed through computations of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants for monoradicals 1 and 2 as well as diradicals 3-5.     

Photostabilizing milled wood lignin with benzotriazoles and hindered nitroxide.

The inhibitory processes operating when a 2(-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorber (UVA) and a hindered nitroxide free radical are applied to high-yield pulps were studied using milled wood lignin and filter paper as a model. Using quantitative 31P NMR it was determined that the UVA is almost completely photostable during irradiation, suggesting that its protective mechanism is based primarily on ultraviolet absorption. Furthermore, the nitroxide was found to protect the UVA from photodegradation. Analysis of irradiated lignin samples involved derivatization followed by reductive cleavage of beta-arylether groups. The phenolic-OH groups thus released were quantified using 31P NMR. The benzotriazole/nitroxide stabilizing system was found to cooperatively inhibit the cleavage of beta-arylether groups. Furthermore, this system was found to have a synergistic inhibitory effect on the formation of catechol structures. These results suggest that the synergism observed between benzotriazole-based UV screens and nitroxyl radicals on the inhibition of yellowing could be a result of their ability to slow the formation of catechol structures and beta-O-4 cleavage in addition to the possibility of a UVA-regeneration mechanism.     

On the photomagnetism of nitronyl nitroxide, imino nitroxide, and verdazyl-substituted azobenzene

The cis- and trans-azobenzenes are known as photochromic isomers with the trans- converting into the cis-form and vice versa upon irradiation with specific wavelengths. We have quantum chemically investigated the cis- and trans-forms of substituted azobenzene diradicals, with two nitronyl nitroxides, imino nitoxides, or verdazyls at para positions and serving as monoradical centers, to determine whether they can exhibit a photoassisted magnetic crossover. Geometries of both substituted and unsubstituted molecules have been optimized by density functional (DF) method UB3LYP using the 6-311G(d,p) basis set. Optimization of the geometry of the cis isomers has required special care. Single point singlet, triplet, and broken symmetry calculations have been done using 6-311++G(3df, 3pd) basis set. The magnetic exchange coupling constants have been estimated from the broken symmetry calculations. Absorption wavelengths have been estimated for both substituted and unsubstituted species from time-dependent DF treatment using restricted spin-polarized methodology RB3LYP and 6-311++G(3df, 3pd) basis set. From the similarity in the calculated absorption wavelengths for the unsubstituted and substituted azobenzenes, and the increased oscillator strengths (f) for the substituted species, we predict that the diradical isomers would be strongly photochromic. From our triplet state and broken symmetry calculations, we predict that both the cis- and the trans-diradicals are antiferromagnetically coupled. This prediction is consistent with the spin alternation rule, and the possibility of a magnetic crossover is nonexistent for these species.     

Crystals of the CuII complex with nitronyl nitroxide and imino nitroxide exhibiting mechanical activity

As part of continuing studies of multispin compounds capable of exhibiting chemomechanical activity, a series of heterospin solids of the composition [Cu(hfac)₂L _x L′_2?x ], [Cu(hfac)₂L′], [Cu₂(Piv)₄L′₂]·0.5C₆H₁₄, and [Cu₂(hfac)₂(Piv)₂L′2], where hfac is the hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion, L is 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-3-oxide-1-oxyl, L′ is the imino nitroxide analog of L, viz., 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-oxyl, and Piv is the 2,2-dimethylpropionate anion, were synthesized and characterized. The packing of the synthesized crystals of the solid solutions [Cu(hfac)₂L _x L′_2-x ], where L predominates, is similar to that for [Cu(hfac)₂L₂], and these crystals are able to undergo chemomechanical motion. On the contrary, the crystals of [Cu(hfac)₂L _x L′_2?x ], where L′ predominates, have structural parameters similar to those of [Cu(hfac)₂L′₂] and do not exhibit thermally activated or photoactivated chemomechanical activity.     

Synthesis,magnetic properties and theoretical calculations of novel nitronyl nitroxide and imino nitroxide diradicals grafted on terpyridine moiety

The synthetic route based on Stille coupling between tributyltinpyridyl derivatives and bromo substituted mono- and dipyridyl-carbaldehyde is used for the synthesis of 5,5″-diformyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (8). A sequence of Ullman coupling with 2,3-bis(hydroxylamino)-2,3-dimethylbutane followed by oxidation under phase transfer conditions affords either 5,5″-Bis(1-oxyl-3-oxo-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolidin-2-yl)2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (10) (diNN-Terpy) or the related 5,5″-Bis(1-oxyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolidin-2-yl)2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (11) (diIN-Terpy), where both biradicals display clear intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction between the single spin units as evidenced by ESR spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculations (ROHF/AM1) are performed showing the triplet ground-state for both 10 and 11 radicals.     

PELDOR on an exchange coupled nitroxide copper(II) spin pair

Transition metal ions play an important role in the design of macromolecular architectures as well as for the structure and function of proteins and oligonucleotides, which makes them interesting targets for spectroscopic investigations. In combination with site directed spin labelling, pulsed electron–electron double resonance (PELDOR or DEER) could be a well-suited method for their characterization and localization. Here, we report on the synthesis and full characterization of a copper(II) porphyrin/nitroxide model system bearing an extended π-conjugation between the spin centres and demonstrate the possibility to disentangle the dipolar through space interaction from the through bond exchange coupling contribution even in the presence of orientational selectivity and conformational flexibility. The simulations used are based on the known experimental and spin Hamiltonian parameters and on a structural model as previously employed for similar systems. The mean exchange coupling of +4(1) MHz (antiferromagnetic) is in agreement with the value of |J| = 3(1) MHz determined from room temperature continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Thus, as long as the pulse excitation bandwidths are large versus the spin–spin coupling, X-band PELDOR measurements in combination with explicit time trace simulations allow for disentangling the sign and magnitude of through bond electron–electron exchange from the through space dipolar interaction D.     

Electrospray mass spectrometry of stable iminyl nitroxide and nitronyl nitroxide free radicals

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra have been recorded for a range of substituted nitronyl nitroxide and iminyl nitroxide monoradicals and biradicals. Secondary species formed in the ESI source were observed as the dominant ions in both the iminyl nitroxide and nitronyl nitroxide spectra. Daughter ion spectrometry was used to establish fragmentation mechanisms for the nitronyl nitroxide and iminyl nitroxide moieties as well as the secondary species under ESI conditions.     

Investigation of nitroxide radical coupling reaction in wide temperature range and different catalyst system

The effect of temperature, catalyst system, and the structure of bromine connected groups on the nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reaction is investigated in details. A series of polymers with different bromine connected groups as poly (tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA‐Br), polystyrene (PS‐Br), and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA‐Br) are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization first, then the bromine‐containing polymers were coupled with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy‐containing poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL‐TEMPO) in different catalyst systems as CuBr/PMDETA, Cu⁰/PMDETA and CuBr/Cu⁰/PMDETA in the temperature range from 90 °C to 25 °C. The result shows that the catalyst system of CuBr/Cu⁰/PMDETA is the best one for NRC reaction, in which the NRC reaction could be conducted in high efficiency in the wide temperature range from room temperature to high temperature. The efficiency of NRC reaction between PtBA‐Br and PCL‐TEMPO is more than 85% in the temperature range from 25 to 75 °C, the efficiency between PS‐Br and PCL‐TEMPO is more than 90% from 25 to 90 °C, and the efficiency between PMMA‐Br and PCL‐TEMPO is more than 90% only at the room temperature. The effect of bromine connected groups on the NRC reaction is discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2991–2999, 2010     

Magneto-structural characterization of metallocene-bridged nitronyl nitroxide diradicals by X-Ray, magnetic measurements, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations

Crystallization of ferrocene and ruthenocene substituted in the 1- and 1'-positions by two nitronyl nitroxide radicals gave the new crystal phases beta-1 (besides the known phase alpha-1), alpha-2, and beta-2 whose structures were determined by X-ray analysis. In beta-1 the radical moieties adopt transoid positions, whereas two different cisoid conformations are adopted by alpha-2 and beta-2. These conformations result from inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, respectively. All compounds experience antiferromagnetic interactions, and J/k(B) values up to -7 K have been found by fitting the experimental magnetic susceptibilities to a modified Bleaney-Bowers equation. The solid diradicals alpha-1, beta-1, alpha-2, and beta-2 as well as the ferrocene 3, which was substituted by a unique nitronyl nitroxide, were investigated by (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy with magic angle spinning. The carbon signals cover a range of 2000 ppm, and are well resolved such that the structure could be confirmed. Conversion of the signal shifts into spin densities disclosed the mechanisms by which spin delocalization from the nitronyl nitroxide substituents to the metallocene core occurs. The spin density distribution in alpha-1, beta-1, and 3 was also predicted by DFT calculations. There is good agreement between the experimental and theoretical trends of the spin delocalization. The magnetic interactions were discussed in the light of intramolecular spin transfer and its dependence on geometric constraints, demonstrating that the 1,1'-metallocenylene bridge is not a robust magnetic coupler.     

Tandem arrays of TEMPO and nitronyl nitroxide radicals with designed arrangements on DNA

Herein we describe one-dimensional electron-spin arrays consisting of two different organic radicals with the designed arrangement based on the DNA sequence. Two mismatch-binding ligands carrying 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxide (TEMPO) and nitronyl nitroxide selectively bind to the predetermined sites on double stranded DNA. By using the two mismatch-binding ligands carrying the organic radicals as the glue for DNA, electron-spin assembly could be successfully synchronized with the hybridization. Periodically and tandemly arranged, two kinds of organic radical molecules at designed positions might be useful for an approach to build up scalable qubits of electron-spin-based quantum computing. The approach using DNA nanostructures as a scaffold to assembly functional small molecules can afford one of the promising ways for the future application of DNA nanostructures and nanotechnology.     

Rate enhancement for nitroxide stable free radical polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate by dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid

Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, DDBSA, was chosen as a new rate‐accelerating additive for 2,2,6,6,‐teramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO)‐mediated stable free radical polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate (n‐BA) monomers with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). It was found that the number‐average molecular weight of polymers could reach about ten thousand with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.4 in a few minutes, which was faster than other systems reported previously. But, at higher conversion, the molecular weight distribution of polymers became broad, and a bimodal distribution occurred. The macro‐initiators isolated from the former polymers with narrow PDI could be extended by polymerization with monomers by the addition of DDBSA. Furthermore, a proposed kinetic model demonstrated that the decay of the concentration of DDBSA would reduce the living polymer concentration and retard the growth of the polymers, which could be further propagated by the supplement of DDBSA. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 42–49, 2005     

1,3-Diaza[3]ferrocenophanes functionalized with a nitronyl nitroxide group

An aza-Wittig reaction of 1,1′-bis(triphenylphosphoranylidenamino)-ferrocene with 4-iodo-, 2,5-difluoro-4-iodo-, pentafluoro-, or 4-methoxycarbonylphenylisocyanates is described here. Intermediate betaines, which are products of a nucleophilic attack of the nitrogen atom of the remaining iminophosphorane moiety on the carbon atom of the carbodiimide functional group, were isolated; their structures were proved by monocrystal X-ray diffraction. Hydrolysis of the betaines under mild conditions gave corresponding arylamino-1,3-diaza[3]ferrocenophanes. On the other hand, as demonstrated, under more rigid conditions, the betaines could be converted into ferrocenophanes with the 1,3-diazetidine-2,4-diimine coupler. The iodo- or diiodo-derivatives of 1,3-diaza[3]ferrocenophanes were cross-coupled with a nitronyl nitroxide-2-ide gold(I) complex to obtain corresponding metallocenophanes functionalized with the nitronyl nitroxide group(s). The molecular and crystal structures of the halogenated and spin-labeled ferrocenophanes were solved by X-ray analysis. In arylamino-1,3-diaza[3]ferrocenophanes, according to cyclic voltammetry, the position of the quasi-reversible oxidation peak associated with the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple deviates within 0.09?V depending on substituents in the arylamino group.     

Recent developments in cellulose grafting chemistry utilizing Barton ester intermediates and nitroxide mediation

Esters or carbonates of N‐hydroxypyridine‐2‐thione (Barton esters) were appended to either carboxymethyl or hydroxypropyl cellulose. Irradiation of the cellulose bound Barton esters in monomer initiated free radical graft copolymerization with minimal concomitant homopolymerization. Grafting of styrene to carboxymethyl cellulose was accompanied by backbone cleavage. The hydroxypropyl spacer group minimized backbone degradation; styrene, acylamide and N‐isopropyl acrylamide could be grafted to hydroxypropyl cellulose in tetrahydrofuran solution. Treatment of Barton carbonate modified hydroxypropyl cellulose with styrene in the presence of TEMPO afforded corresponding TEMPO adducts, which can be used to promote the controlled radical graft polymerization of styrene. Grafts were analyzed independently after hydrolysis of the cellulose backbone.     

Coordination of nitroxide and nitronyl-nitroxide organic radicals to trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylene mercury

The interaction of trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylene mercury (1) with TEMPO (1,1,5,5-tetramethylpentamethylene nitroxide) in CH2Cl2 leads to the formation of the 1:1 adduct [1.TEMPO] (2). The same reaction carried out with NIT-Ph (2-(phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) leads to the formation of either [1.NIT-Ph.1] (3) or [1*NIT-Ph]n (4), depending on the amount of NIT-Ph present in solution. Adducts 2, 3, and 4 have been fully characterized and their crystal structures determined. The solid-state structure of 2 contains molecules of [1*TEMPO] in which the nitroxide oxygen atom is triply coordinated to the mercury centers of 1. A similar situation is encountered in the structure of 3 where each oxygen atom of the NIT-Ph molecule interacts with the mercury centers of an adjacent molecule of 1. The structure of 4 consists of extended helical polymeric chains that contain alternating molecules of 1 and NIT-Ph. As in 2 and 3, the interactions responsible for the formation of these chains involve the triple coordination of the oxygen atoms of the NIT-Ph molecule to the mercury centers of 1. DFT calculations suggest that the bonding in adducts such as 2, 3, and 4 is most likely dominated by electrostatic rather than covalent interactions. In agreement with this view, magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out on these adducts indicate that 1 does not mediate significant coupling between organic radicals coordinated on either side of the trinuclear core.     

Chemical surface modification of self-assembled monolayers by radical nitroxide exchange reactions

This article describes the application of nitroxide exchange reactions of surface-bound alkoxyamines as a tool for reversible chemical modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). This approach is based on radical chemistry, which allows for introduction of various functional groups and can be used to reversibly introduce functionalities at surfaces. To investigate the scope of this surface chemistry, alkoxyamines with different functionalities were synthesized and were then applied to the immobilization of, for example, dyes, sugars, or biotin. Surface analysis was carried out by contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy measurements. The results show that this reaction is highly efficient, reversible, and mild and allows for immobilization of various sensitive functional groups. In addition, Langmuir-Blodgett lithography was used to generate structured SAMs. Site-selective immobilization of a fluorescent dye could be achieved by nitroxide exchange reactions.