Quantum yields of triplet and O2(1 delta g) formation of 4-thiouridine in water and acetonitrile

The quantum yield of triplet formation, phi T, and that of the photosensitized formation of singlet molecular oxygen, phi delta, were determined for a rare nucleoside, 4-thiouridine (4t-Urd), in water and in acetonitrile, using singlet molecular oxygen phosphorescence, laser-induced optoacoustics and time-resolved thermal lensing. These yields, phi T and phi delta, the latter in aerated solutions, were found to be, respectively, in water: 0.67 +/- 0.17 and 0.18 +/- 0.04 and in acetonitrile: 0.61 +/- 0.15 and 0.50 +/- 0.20. The fraction of the 4t-Urd triplet molecules quenched by oxygen leading to singlet molecular oxygen, S delta, was calculated to be between 0.7 and unity in both solvents, this value being indicative of a pi pi*character for the lowest triplet state of 4t-Urd.     

Energy transfer between singlet (1Delta(g)) and triplet (3Sigma(g)-) molecular oxygen in aqueous solution

We clearly demonstrate the occurrence of energy transfer between 18O2 (1Deltag) and 16O2 in the ground state (3Sigmag-) with subsequent conversion of the latter species into its singlet excited state (1Deltag) in aqueous solution. This was inferred from the results of incubation experiments involving DHPN18O2 as a chemical generator of 18O2 (1Deltag) and the water-soluble disodium salt of anthracene (EAS) used as a chemical trap of singlet oxygen. The products of the reaction were accurately analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS.     

Quenching of singlet molecular oxygen, O2(1Deltag), by dipyridamole and derivatives

Dipyridamole (DIP) is known for its vasodilating and antiplatelet activity, exhibiting also a potent antioxidant effect, strongly inhibiting lipid peroxidation. This effect has been studied in mitochondria and a correlation between the DIP derivatives' structure, the ability to bind to micelles and biological activity has been suggested. In the present work, the quenching of singlet molecular oxygen, O(2)((1)Delta(g)), by DIP and RA47 and RA25 derivatives was analyzed in acetonitrile (ACN) and aqueous acid solutions. Laser flash photolysis excitation of methylene blue (MB) was made at 532 nm and monomol light emission of O(2)((1)Delta(g)) was monitored at 1270 nm. Bimolecular quenching constants in ACN are consistent with an efficient physical quenching, presenting values a bit lower than the diffusion limit (k(t) = 3.4-6.8 x 10(8) M(-1 )s(-1)). The quenching process probably occurs via reversible charge transfer with the formation of an exciplex. Calculation of DeltaG(et) associated with O(2)((1)Delta(g)) quenching corroborates with uncompleted electron transfer. In aqueous acid solutions (pH = 3.0), the k(t) values for DIP and derivatives are 20-fold smaller when compared with ACN. The electrochemical properties of DIP in ACN are characterized by two consecutive one-electron processes with half-wave oxidation potentials of 0.30 and 0.67 V vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE). However, in an aqueous acid medium, a single oxidation wave is observed involving a two-electron process (0.80 V vs SCE). Therefore, O(2)((1)Delta(g)) quenching is consistent with electrochemical data.     

Observation and analysis of the 2g(1D) ion-pair state of I2: the g/u mixing between the 1u(1D) and 2g(1D) states

We report the analysis of the 2g(1D) ion-pair state of I2 by perturbation-facilitated optical-optical double resonance. The present study began with the observation of the 2g(1D)-A' 3Pi(2u) emission at around 230 nm during the analysis of the ultraviolet emissions originating form the 1u(1D) ion-pair state. The identification of this new transition helped us to specify the wavelengths for detecting the 2g(1D) state by emission, and also to estimate its absolute position. The intermediate states used to observe the 2g(1D) state were the B 3Pi(0u(+))-b' 2u mixed states by the hyperfine interaction, which allowed us to combine the X 1Sigmag(+) ground state with the 2g(1D) state in the (1+1) photon excitation following the optical selection rules for one-photon transitions: 2g(1D)<--b' 2u-B 3Pi(0u(+))<--X 1Sigmag(+). Our analysis covered the 2g(1D) state in the 0< or =v< or =12 and 9< or =J< or =40 ranges. The molecular constants and Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR) potential of the 2g(1D) state were reported. We discussed the occurrence of the 2g(1D)-A' 3Pi(2u) emission, when exciting to the 1u(1D) v=0 state, and attributed it to the g/u mixing between the 2g(1D) and 1u(1D) states by the hyperfine interaction. The effect of the perturbation on measured line intensities and lifetimes was evident.     

Efficiency of the photoprocesses leading to singlet oxygen (1 delta g) generation by alpha-terthienyl: optical absorption, optoacoustic calorimetry and infrared luminescence studies

The triplet energy of alpha-terthienyl has been determined by heavy atom-induced optical absorption: the value of 39.7 +/- 1.5 kcal/mol is consistent with earlier energy transfer work. Combining this result with calorimetric data from optoacoustic calorimetry indicates that intersystem crossing occurs with at least 90% efficiency in polar and non-polar solvents. The quantum yields for singlet oxygen formation via energy transfer from triplet alpha-terthienyl have been obtained from time-resolved measurements of its IR phosphorescence: these yields are in the 0.6-0.8 range in non-polar and polar (hydroxylic and non-hydroxylic) solvents.     

A europium(III) complex as an efficient singlet oxygen luminescence probe

A new europium(III) complex, [4'-(10-methyl-9-anthryl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine-6,6"-diyl]bis(methylenenitrilo) tetrakis(acetate)-Eu(3+), was designed and synthesized as a highly sensitive and selective time-gated luminescence probe for singlet oxygen ((1)O2). The new probe is highly water soluble with a large stability constant of approximately 10(21) and a wide pH available range (pH 3-10), and can specifically react with (1)O2 to form its endoperoxide (EP-MTTA-Eu(3+)) with a high reaction rate constant at 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), accompanied by the remarkable increases of luminescence quantum yield from 0.90% to 13.8% and lifetime from 0.80 to 1.29 ms, respectively. The wide applicability of the probe was demonstrated by detection of (1)O2 generated from a MoO(4)(2-)/H(2)O2 system, a photosensitization system of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridinio)porphyrin tetra(p-toluenesulfonate) (TMPyP), and a horseradish peroxidase catalyzed aerobic oxidation system of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In addition, it was found that the new probe could be easily transferred into living HeLa cells by incubation with TMPyP. A time-gated luminescence imaging technique that can fully eliminate the short-lived background fluorescence from TMPyP and cell components has been successfully developed for monitoring the time-dependent generation of (1)O2 in living cells.     

Enantiopure lanthanide complexes incorporating a tetraazatriphenylene sensitiser and three naphthyl groups: exciton coupling,intramolecular energy transfer,efficient singlet oxygen formation and perturbation by DNA binding

In cationic nine-coordinate chiral terbium and europium complexes incorporating exciton-coupled naphthyl groups and a tetraazatriphenylene sensitising chromophore, efficient intramolecular energy transfer occurs leading to population of the naphthyl triplet state. With the terbium complex, the absolute quantum yield of singlet oxygen formation is 51% (lambda(exc) 355 nm), and for the Eu complex the intensity of metal-based emission increases by up to 350% on binding to poly(dGdC) or calf-thymus DNA, and was greater for the delta-isomer.     

Photophysical and redox properties of perylene bis- and tris-dicarboximide fluorophores with triplet state formation: transient absorption and singlet oxygen sensitization

A detailed photophysical characterization of a couple of new perylene imide derivatives, a carboxylic trisimide PIx, and an asymmetrically substituted carboxylic bisimide PIa is presented. PIx and PIa have the lowest singlet excited state just below 2.6 eV. The dyes are remarkably fluorescent (?(f) = 0.37 ± 0.03 for PIa and ?(f) = 0.58 ± 0.04 for PIx in toluene), but they also display an efficient intersystem crossing. This leads to typical excited triplet photophysics/photochemistry, with intense triplet state absorption spectra and efficient singlet oxygen ((1)Δ(g)) photosensitization (?(Δ) = 0.68 ± 0.02 for PIa and 0.44 ± 0.02 for PIx in toluene). On the basis of the measured ?(Δ), a ?(isc) of 0.65 ± 0.02 for PIa and 0.43 ± 0.02 for PIx in toluene is derived. PIx reduces at -0.58 eV vs SCE, almost similarly to the corresponding symmetrically substituted perylene bisimide PI0, but unlike the latter, it has the first oxidation potential above +1.9 V. PIa is more electron rich and displays a more difficult first reduction at -0.95 V with a more facile oxidation at +1.75 V, similar to that of the parent PI0. The absorption spectra of the excited singlet and triplet states and that of electrochemically generated monoanions are reported.     

Theoretical study of the Diels-Alder reactions between singlet (1Delta g) oxygen and acenes

The G3(MP2) method has been employed to study the 1,4-addition reactions between singlet oxygen and five acenes, including benzene, naphthalene, anthrecene, tetracene, and pentacene. In all, nine pathways between O(2) and the five acenes have been investigated. Our calculated results indicate that all nine pathways are concerted and exothermic and that the most reactive sites on the acenes are the center ring's meso-carbons. In addition, reactivity increases along the series benzene < naphthalene < anthrecene < tetracene < pentacene. This trend is identical to that of aromaticity for the five acenes. A correlation between reactivity and aromaticity is briefly rationalized with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis. Furthermore, some experimental kinetics data from the literature supporting the calculated results are cited.     

Quenching of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) by azide anion in solvent mixtures.

The azide ion is a strong physical quencher of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) and is frequently employed to show involvement of 1O2 in oxidation processes. Rate constants (k(q)) for the quenching of 1O2 by azide are routinely used as standards to calculate k(q) values for quenching by other substrates. We have measured k(q) for azide in solvent mixtures containing deuterium oxide (D2O), acetonitrile (MeCN), 1,4-dioxane, ethanol (EtOH), propylene carbonate (PC), or ethylene carbonate (EC), mixtures commonly used for many experimental studies. The rate constants were calculated directly from 1O2 phosphorescence lifetimes observed after laser pulse excitation of rose bengal (RB), used to generate 1O2. In aqueous mixtures with MeCN and carbonates, the rate constant increased nonlinearly with increasing volume of organic solvent in the mixtures. k(q) was 4.78 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) in D2O and increased to 26.7 x 10(8) and 27.7 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) in 96% MeCN and 97.7% EC/PC, respectively. However, in EtOH/D2O mixtures, k(q) decreased with increasing alcohol concentration. This shows that a higher solvent polarity increases the quenching efficiency, which is unexpectedly decreased by the proticity of aqueous and alcohol solvent mixtures. The rate constant values increased with increasing temperature, yielding a quenching activation energy of 11.3 kJ mol(-1) in D2O. Our results show that rate constants in most solvent mixtures cannot be derived reliably from k(q) values measured in pure solvents by using a simple additivity rule. We have measured the rate constants with high accuracy, and they may serve as a reliable reference to calculate unknown k(q) values.     

The molecular structure of B2O2(g), B2Ss(g), Al2O2(g) and a number of the aluminum family chalcogenides as determined from thermochemical considerations

The structures of B₂O₂(g), B₂S₂(g), Al₂O₂(g) and other aluminum family chalcogenides of the M₂X₂ species (X  S, Se, Te), have been investigated on the basis of thermochemical considerations. Contrary to previous postulations, the preponderance of thermochemical evidence suggest a bent M-X-M-X configuration for these gaseous species. The fundamental frequencies and free energy functions for B₂O₂(g) and Al₂O₂(g) are calculated and the atomization energy of Al₂O₂(g) is estimated to be less than 484 kcal mole⁻¹.     

Quantitative determination of 1sigma(g)+ and 1delta(g) singlet oxygen in solvents of very different polarity. General energy gap law for rate constants of electronic energy transfer to and from O2 in the absence of charge transfer interactions

The quenching of excited triplet states of sufficient energy by O2 leads to O2(1sigma(g)+) and O2(1delta(g)) singlet oxygen and O2(3sigma(g)-) ground-state oxygen as well. The present work investigates the question whether in the absence of charge transfer (CT) interactions between triplet sensitizer and O2 the rate constants of formation of the three different O2 product states follow a generally valid energy gap law. For that purpose, lifetimes of the upper excited O2(1sigma(g)+) have been determined in a mixture of 7 vol % benzene in carbon tetrachloride, in chloroform, and in perdeuterated acetonitrile. They amount to 1.86, 1.40, and 0.58 ns, respectively. Furthermore, rate constants of O2(1sigma(g)+), O2(1delta(g)), and O2(3sigma(g)-) formation have been measured in these three solvents for five pi pi* triplet sensitizers with negligible CT interactions. The rate constants are independent of solvent polarity. After normalization for the multiplicity of the respective O2 product state, the rate constants follow a common dependence on the excess energies of the respective product channels. This empirical energy gap relation describes also quantitatively the rate constants of quenching of O2(1delta(g)) by 28 carotenoids. Therefore, it represents in the absence of CT interactions a generally valid energy gap law for the rate constants of electronic energy transfer to and from O2.     

Relationship between symmetry of porphyrinic pi-conjugated systems and singlet oxygen (1Delta g) yields: low-symmetry tetraazaporphyrin derivatives

We have investigated the excited-state properties and singlet oxygen ((1)Delta(g)) generation mechanism in phthalocyanines (4M; M = H(2), Mg, or Zn) and in low-symmetry metal-free, magnesium, and zinc tetraazaporphyrins (TAPs), that is, monobenzo-substituted (1M), adjacently dibenzo-substituted (2AdM), oppositely dibenzo-substituted (2OpM), and tribenzo-substituted (3M) TAP derivatives, whose pi conjugated systems were altered by fusing benzo rings. The S(1)(x) and S(1)(y) states (these lowest excited singlet states are degenerate in D(4)(h) symmetry) split in the low-symmetry TAP derivatives. The excited-state energies were quantitatively determined from the electronic absorption spectra. The lowest excited triplet (T(1)(x)) energies were also determined from phosphorescence spectra, while the second lowest excited triplet (T(1)(y)) states were evaluated by using the energy splitting between the T(1)(x) and T(1)(y) states previously reported (Miwa, H.; Ishii, K.; Kobayashi, N. Chem. Eur. J. 2004, 10, 4422-4435). The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Phi(Delta)) are strongly dependent on the pi conjugated system. In particular, while the Phi(Delta) value of 2AdH(2) is smallest in our system, that of 2OpH(2), an isomer of 2AdH(2), is larger than that of 4Zn, in contrast to the heavy atom effect. The relationship between the molecular structure and Phi(Delta) values can be transformed into a relationship between the S(1)(x) --> T(1)(y) intersystem crossing rate constant (k(ISC)) and the energy difference between the S(1)(x) and T(1)(y) states (DeltaE(S)(x)(T)(y)). In each of the Zn, Mg, and metal-free compounds, the Phi(Delta)/tau(F) values (tau(F): fluorescence lifetime), which are related to the k(ISC) values, are proportional to exp(-DeltaE(S)(x)(T)(y)), indicating that singlet oxygen ((1)Delta(g)) is produced via the T(1)(y) state and that the S(1)(x) --> T(1)(y) ISC process follows the energy-gap law. From the viewpoint of photodynamic therapy, our methodology, where the Phi(Delta) value can be controlled by changing the symmetry of pi conjugated systems without heavy elements, appears useful for preparing novel photosensitizers.     

Dramatic persistence (minutes) of the triplet excited state and efficient singlet oxygen generation for C60 incorporated in Y zeolite and MCM-41 silicate

The triplet excited state of C₆₀ (λ_max=780 nm) lives minutes and can be monitored by conventional spectrophotometers when this fullerene is incorporated inside LiY, as opposed to C₆₀@HY and C₆₀@MCM-41 wherein C₆₀ triplet lives in the submillisecond time scale. C₆₀ adsorbed in LiY or MCM-41 efficiently generates ¹O₂ that was detected by its characteristic NIR emission (λ_em=1270 nm).     

Comments on the molecular structure of B2O2(g), Al2O2(g) and other chalcogenides of the aluminum family

Thermochemical evidence relating to the structure of the aluminum-family chalcogenides M₂X₂ is reassessed. Contrary to the conclusion of Maloney et al.[1], this evidence suggests that M-X-M-X is not the only plausible structure. We cannot eliminate the X-M-M-X form for B₂O₂ and the cyclic form for Al₂O₂ and heavier chalcogenides. Other evidence is needed to resolve the question. The structural ambiguity contributes potential uncertainty to the published thermodynamic tables[1].     

Kinetic studies of the deactivation of O2(1Σg+) and O(1D)

The kinetics of the deactivation of O₂(¹Σ_g⁺) is studied in real time. O₂(¹Σ_g⁺) is generated in this system by the O(¹D) + O₂ reaction following O₃laser flash photolysis in the presence of excess O₂, and it is monitored by its characteristic emission band at 762 nm. Quenching rate constants were obtained for O₂, O₃, N₂, CO₂, H₂O, CF₄and the rare gases. Since O(¹D) is the precursor for the formation of O₂(¹Σ_g⁺), the addition of an O(¹D) quencher effectively lowers the initial concentration of O₂(¹Σ_g⁺). By measuring the initial intensity of the 762 nm fluorescence signal, the relative quenching efficiencies were determined for O(¹D) quenching by N₂, CO₂, Xe, and Kr with respect to O₂; the results are in good agreement with literature values.     

Periodic density functional theory study of methane activation over La(2)O(3): activity of O(2-), O(-), O(2)(2-), oxygen point defect,and Sr(2+)-doped surface sites

Results of gradient-corrected periodic density functional theory calculations are reported for hydrogen abstraction from methane at O(s)(2-), O(s)(-), O(2)(s)(2-) point defect, and Sr(2+)-doped surface sites on La(2)O(3)(001). The results show that the anionic O(s)(-) species is the most active surface oxygen site. The overall reaction energy to activate methane at an O(s)(-) site to form a surface hydroxyl group and gas-phase (*)CH(3) radical is 8.2 kcal/mol, with an activation barrier of 10.1 kcal/mol. The binding energy of hydrogen at an site O(s)(-) is -102 kcal/mol. An oxygen site with similar activity can be generated by doping strontium into the oxide by a direct Sr(2+)/La(3+) exchange at the surface. The O(-)-like nature of the surface site is reflected in a calculated hydrogen binding energy of -109.7 kcal/mol. Calculations indicate that surface peroxide (O(2(s))(2-)) sites can be generated by adsorption of O(2) at surface oxygen vacancies, as well as by dissociative adsorption of O(2) across the closed-shell oxide surface of La(2)O(3)(001). The overall reaction energy and apparent activation barrier for the latter pathway are calculated to be only 12.1 and 33.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Irrespective of the route to peroxide formation, the O(2)(s)(2-) intermediate is characterized by a bent orientation with respect to the surface and an O-O bond length of 1.47 A; both attributes are consistent with structural features characteristic of classical peroxides. We found surface peroxide sites to be slightly less favorable for H-abstraction from methane than the O(s)(-) species, with DeltaE(rxn)(CH(4)) = 39.3 kcal/mol, E(act) = 47.3 kcal/mol, and DeltaE(ads)(H) = -71.5 kcal/mol. A possible mechanism for oxidative coupling of methane over La(2)O(3)(001) involving surface peroxides as the active oxygen source is suggested.