Porphyrins fused with unactivated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A systematic study of the preparation of porphyrins with extended conjugation by meso,β-fusion with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is reported. The meso-positions of 5,15-unsubstituted porphyrins were readily functionalized with PAHs. Ring fusion using standard Scholl reaction conditions (FeCl(3), dichloromethane) occurs for perylene-substituted porphyrins to give a porphyrin β,meso annulated with perylene rings (0.7:1 ratio of syn and anti isomers). The naphthalene, pyrene, and coronene derivatives do not react under Scholl conditions but are fused using thermal cyclodehydrogenation at high temperatures, giving mixtures of syn and anti isomers of the meso,β-fused porphyrins. For pyrenyl-substituted porphyrins, a thermal method gives synthetically acceptable yields (>30%). Absorption spectra of the fused porphyrins undergo a progressive bathochromic shift in a series of naphthyl (λ(max) = 730 nm), coronenyl (λ(max) = 780 nm), pyrenyl (λ(max) = 815 nm), and perylenyl (λ(max) = 900 nm) annulated porphyrins. Despite being conjugated with unsubstituted fused PAHs, the β,meso-fused porphyrins are more soluble and processable than the parent nonfused precursors. Pyrenyl-fused porphyrins exhibit strong fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region, with a progressive improvement in luminescent efficiency (up to 13% with λ(max) = 829 nm) with increasing degree of fusion. Fused pyrenyl-porphyrins have been used as broadband absorption donor materials in photovoltaic cells, leading to devices that show comparatively high photovoltaic efficiencies.     

CH/pi interactions involving aromatic amino acids: refinement of the CHARMM tryptophan force field

High-level ab initio calculations have been carried out to study weak CH/pi interactions and as a check of the CHARMM force field for aromatic amino acids. Comparisons with published data indicate that the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory is suitable for calculations of CH/pi interaction, including the T-shape benzene dimer. This level of theory was, therefore, applied to investigate CH/pi interactions between ethene or cis-2-butene and benzene in a variety of orientations. In addition, complexes between ethene and a series of model compounds (toluene, methylindole and p-cresol) representing the aromatic amino acids were studied motivated by the presence of CH/pi interactions in biological systems. Ab initio binding energies were compared to the binding energies obtained with the CHARMM22 force field. In the majority of orientations, CHARMM22 reproduces the preferred binding modes, with excellent agreement for the benzene dimer. Small discrepancies found in the calculations involving methylindole along with a survey of published thermodynamic data for the aromatic amino acids prompted additional optimization of the tryptophan force field. Partial atomic charges, Lennard-Jones parameters, and force constants were improved to obtain better intra- and intermolecular properties, with significant improvements obtained in the reproduction of experimental heats of sublimation for indole and free energies of aqueous solvation for methylindole.     

Palladium-catalyzed pentannulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

We present a new and versatile one-step synthesis of a series of small molecular chromophores based on cyclopentannulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Easily available pyrene, anthracene, and perylene bromides serve as starting materials for the reactions. The formation of the five-membered ring is achieved by the straightforward palladium(0)-catalyzed carbannulation with various substituted acetylenes. This approach is applicable either to single or multiple annulation procedures leading to hitherto inaccessible PAH topologies. According to the resulting products of the diverse reactions, a mechanistic explanation is proposed. UV/Vis absorption as well as cyclovoltammetric measurements were performed for characterization demonstrating the value of this annulation technique. Optical absorptions of up to 780 nm and absorption coefficients ranging from 8000 to 34,000 M(-1) cm(-1) were detected.     

Simplified determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Accurate quantitative analysis for selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present on urban dust can be obtained by using a simple procedure consisting of sonic-probe extraction with cyclohexane; clean-up with Florisil((R))-XAD-4((R)), and measurement by high-resolution gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (HRGC/FID). The analysis can be further simplified by eliminating the clean-up step if HRGC/electron-impact mass-spectrometry (MS) is available. Both the FID and MS methods give results consistent with those obtained by standard procedures. The direct HRGC/MS procedure, combined with chemical ionization, can also be applied to the determination of polycyclic organic materials present in solvent-refined coal, shale oil and crude oil.     

Analysis of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Many nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAH) that are present in low concentrations in the environment and in emission sources have been shown to be mutagenic and/or carcinogenic. This paper reviews the current methods of analysis of these compounds with the emphasis on NPAH measurements in ambient particulate matter samples.     

Partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the polyethylene/water system

The suitability of polyethylene sheets as passive samplers of lipophilic contaminants in water bodies was tested. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets were contaminated with PAH. Uncontaminated and pre-contaminated sheets were deployed simultaneously and collected at intervals over 32 days. The exposed sheets and water samples were analyzed for PAH. The initial PAH concentrations in the contaminated and uncontaminated sheets differed by two to three orders of magnitude, but approached a common equilibrium concentration during exposure. The two- to four-ring PAH achieved quasi-equilibrium within the 32-day exposure period, whereas the five- and six-ring PAH did not. The estimated PE/water partition coefficients were approximately three times higher for HDPE than for LDPE, and they were similar in magnitude to the K(ow) values (the partition coefficients between n-octanol and water). The uptake rate constants were approximately four times higher for HDPE than LDPE, which was attributed to the four times higher specific surface area. The uptake and elimination in HDPE followed linear first-order kinetics, whereas for LDPE very slow elimination rates were observed that could not be explained. The results show that PE is a simple, effective, and inexpensive material for sampling trace organic contaminants in water.     

Detector for particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water

It is estimated that most polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental water are not dissolved but rather in particulate form. Nevertheless, the currently available optical detectors are not suited for proper sampling of solid PAHs. A new setup for direct sampling and quantification of suspended particulate PAHs in water is suggested. It is based on a polymeric film that has the capability of dissolving PAH particulates, coupled to a traditional laser-induced fluorescence probe. Kinetics and performance of two sampling modes have been studied: bulk sampling, by immersing the probe into the water, and surface sampling, by laying the film on the water surface. The latter method has proved to be more sensitive; however, it is diffusion-limited. Linear calibration plots have provided quantification over a wide concentration range with detection limits in the ppb range (these could be improved by using a modified probe). The effects due to other particulates in water have been studied and only little interferences have been observed. The possibility of analysis of PAH mixtures has been addressed and it has been concluded that multivariate analysis is needed.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in limpet samples

Summary An HPLC method with UV and programmed fluorescence detection has been optimized and used to evaluate the levels of contamination of PAHs in lightly contaminated biota samples. A specific stationary phase was used that offers high selectivity for PAH separation. The proposed method was applied to limpet samples from Fuerteventura (Canary Island) with good results.     

CH/pi interactions in DNA and proteins. A theoretical study

A systematic study of the CH/pi interactions of methane with the purine and pyrimidine bases of nucleic acids and with the lateral chains of the four natural aromatic amino acids has been carried out for the first time. The MPWB1K/6-31+G(d,p) method has shown to be adequate for the study of these weak interactions in which dispersion forces play a main role. It has been shown that two different kinds of clusters exist, depending on whether one or two CH bonds point to the aromatic system. The latter one, which we have called bifurcated, is usually more stable. With regard to aromatic amino acids, our calculations agree with experimental data in the fact that tryptophan leads to the strongest interaction, while hystidine leads to the weakest one. In the case of nucleic acid bases, the differences in binding energies are not large. This is specially true for thymine and uracil, showing that these two bases have a similar acceptor character in CH/pi interactions.     

A convergent approach to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A new concise route to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) through radical addition and cyclisation of xanthates is described.     

Heat capacities of liquid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Liquid heat capacities of 14 aromatic hydrocarbons were measured using a DSC calorimeter. Measurements were performed in the temperature range 100 K above the melting temperature of each hydrocarbon. The lowest and highest temperatures considered were respectively 303 and 692 K. Experimental results were correlated using Benson's group contribution approach. The group parameters determined allow the experimental results to be represented to within 2%.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke

Improvements have been described in the apparatus and methods employed in determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke by alumina-column chromatography and automatic ultra-violet spectrophotometry     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Athens atmosphere

Concentrations of total suspended particulates (TSP), benzene soluble fraction (BSF) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been determined in ambient air from four different sites in Athens, situated in urban, semi-industrial and industrial areas. GLC analysis has been applied for the determination of PAH, while the CGC/MS technique was used in order to confirm the obtained results. The same PAH pattern was observed for all stations. The identified PAH have been fluoranthene (FLA), pyrene (PYR), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), chrysene (CHR), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(e)pyrene (BeP) and benzo(ghi)perylene (B(ghi)P). The concentrations of individual PAH ranged from traces to 33 ng m-3 (e.g. same or lower comparing to other large cities). The higher values of PAH were found during adverse meteorological conditions.     

Enthalpies of formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Comparison of the experimental enthalpies of formation of 77 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with those calculated by semiempirical quantum-chemical methods showed that the AM1 approximation ensures the best agreement between the experimental and calculated values. The enthalpies of formation of 60 compounds of this series were calculated using the AM1 method and the corresponding linear regression equation.     

The spectrophotometric determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by elution chromatography from alumina columns followed by ultra-violet spectrophotometry has been elaborated for a more extended range of substances than has been published previously. The methods have been standardised and tables of absorption peaks are provided for easy identification of a number of compounds commonly found as traces in combustion products. Recommendations are given for the preparation of samples for determinations by this method, which has been successfully employed for the analysis of carbon blacks, soots, urban air solids, condensible smokes such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke and coal tar. thermal decomposition or pyrolysis products and other substances, such as urban vegetation, soil, tobacco, snuff, smoked food, and surface drainage water, which have been subjected to the action of smokes or other combustion products.     

Visualizing electron delocalization in contorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Electron delocalization in contorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules was examined through 3D isotropic magnetic shielding (IMS) contour maps built around the molecules using pseudo-van der Waals surfaces. The resulting maps of electron delocalization provided an intuitive, yet detailed and quantitative evaluation of the aromatic, non aromatic, and antiaromatic character of the local and global conjugated cyclic circuits distributed over the molecules. An attractive pictural feature of the 3D IMS contour maps is that they are reminiscent of the Clar π-sextet model of aromaticity. The difference in delocalization patterns between the two faces of the electron circuits in contorted PAHs was clearly visualized. For π-extended contorted PAHs, some splits of the π system resulted in recognizable patterns typical of smaller PAHs. The differences between the delocalization patterns of diastereomeric chiral PAHs could also be visualized. Mapping IMS on pseudo-van der Waals surfaces around contorted PAHs allowed visualization of their superimposed preferred circuits for electron delocalization and hence their local and global aromaticity patterns.

Electron delocalization in contorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules was examined through 3D isotropic magnetic shielding (IMS) contour maps built around the molecules using pseudo-van der Waals surfaces.     

Far-infrared spectroscopy of small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Both experimental and theoretical spectroscopic studies on small gas phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the far-infrared spectral region are reported. The experimental set-up based on thermal emission and Fourier transform far infrared analysis led to the detection of relatively broad vibrational bands, unresolved in rotation, representative of each molecule. Detailed theoretical investigations were performed, including both ab initio calculations and spectral simulations. For the majority of the samples, this study provides the first detection of the vibrational modes associated with the skeleton motions.