Intramolecular spin exchange in flexible short-chain biradicals in solutions with various viscosity

Intramolecular electron spin exchange as a function of temperature and solvent viscosity has been studied by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in two short-chain flexible nitroxide biradicals. Certain thermodynamic parameters of the conformational rearrangements were calculated from the EPR spectra. The process of spin exchange in these biradicals dissolved in six different alcohols is compared with that in a nonpolar solvent (toluene) and with the thermodynamic characteristics of the solvents. No correlation is found on a macroscopic level (solvent viscosity) but on a microscopic level (solvent longitudinal relaxation times) a distinct correlation is seen. The original results are compared with literature data.     

Features of spin exchange in nitroxide biradicals in the ionic liquid bmimPF<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The intramolecular electron spin exchange has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (bmimPF₆) for various nitroxide biradicals as a function of temperature and the nature of the connecting bridge between two >NO^· centers. Temperature variations of the isotropic nitrogen hyperfine splitting constant a and exchange integral values |J/a| were measured from EPR spectra and analyzed. Thermodynamic parameters of the conformational rearrangements were obtained. The spin exchange in rigid and flexible biradicals dissolved in the ionic liquid bmimPF₆ was compared with that in toluene solutions. Interesting features of the spin exchange in biradicals in ionic liquid were observed and explained as a result of the specific intramolecular conformational transitions. The first example of a rather rigid biradical molecule becoming flexible under the influence of an ionic liquid is reported.     

Features of Spin Exchange in Short-Chain Nitroxide Biradicals in Ionic Liquids

The intramolecular electron spin exchange has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in the room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (bmimPF₆) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (omimBF₄) for three nitroxide biradicals with analogous structures of the connecting bridge between two >N–O· centers as a function of temperature. Temperature variations of the isotropic nitrogen hyperfine splitting constant a, and exchange integral values |J/a| were determined from EPR spectra and analyzed. Thermodynamic parameters of the conformational rearrangements were obtained. The spin exchange in rather rigid short-chain biradicals dissolved in omimBF₄ and bmimPF₆ was compared with that in toluene solutions. Interesting features of the spin exchange in biradicals in RTIL were observed and explained as a result of the specific intramolecular conformational transitions. Examples when rather rigid biradical molecules become flexible under an influence of RTIL are reported.     

The Solvent Effect on Spin Exchange in Long-Chain Nitroxide Biradicals

Intramolecular electron spin exchange, as a function of temperature and the solvent viscosity, polarity and relaxation properties of the solvent molecules, has been studied by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in two long-chain flexible nitroxide biradicals existing in fluid solutions in three spectroscopically different spatial conformations. Certain thermodynamic parameters of the conformational rearrangements were calculated from the EPR spectra. Spin exchange in two biradicals dissolved in five different alcohols was compared with that in a nonpolar solvent (toluene), polar protic (water) and aprotic (acetonitrile), and with thermodynamic characteristics of the solvents. Distinct correlations were found between macroscopic (solvent viscosity, polarity) and microscopic (solvent longitudinal relaxation time) characteristics of solvents, and thermodynamic parameters of the intramolecular conformational transitions. Authors' address: Van Anh Tran, Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Technikerstrasse 4, 8010 Graz, Austria     

Imidazoline biradical spin labels with EPR spectral sensitivity to the local concentration of protons

EPR spectral sensitivity of the three biradicals of imidazoline and imidazolidine types to the local concentration of protons (pH) in aqueous solutions has been studied. Significant increase ing-factor (Δg ≈ 0.0002) and decrease in hyperfine interaction constant (Δa_N = 0.8?1.2 G) upon the protonation of atom N-3 of the radical heterocycle were observed. The pH dependence of a_N andg- factor is described by conventional titration curve with one or two pK values. The latter case was explained by nonindependent protonation of two monoradical fragments closely located in the biradical structure. EPR spectra of protonated and deprotonated forms of the biradicals have significantly different intensities of “biradical” components, I_b, reflecting changes in spin exchange interaction. It has been found that activation energy of spin exchange, E_a, estimated from temperature dependence of I_b in glycerol/water solution is lower for the biradical conformation with larger I_b. This is in agreement with main contribution of direct collisions of monoradical fragments in spin exchange interaction so larger value of I_b corresponds to the conformation with less spatial restrictions for the motion of monoradical fragments (lower E_a). The potential use of the pH-sensitive biradicals as spin labels is discussed.     

Three-Pulse ELDOR Theory Revisited

The current theory of three-pulse electron double resonance (PELDOR) has been generalized to the case, when paramagnetic particles (spin labels) in pairs or groups have the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, which overlap essentially or coincide. The PELDOR signal modulation induced by the dipole–dipole interaction between paramagnetic spin ½ particles in pairs embedded in disordered systems has been analyzed comprehensively. It has been shown that the PELDOR signal contains additional terms in contrast to the situation considered in the current theory, when the EPR spectra of the spin labels in the pairs do not overlap. In disordered systems, the pairs of spin labels have the characteristic dipolar interaction frequency. According to the current theory for pairs of spin labels, the PELDOR signal reveals the modulation with this characteristic frequency. The additional terms, which are obtained in this work, do not change the modulation frequency of the PELDOR signal for pairs of spin labels. However, these additional terms should be taken into account when analyzing the amplitude of the PELDOR signal and the amplitude of the modulation of the PELDOR signal. The consistent approach to treating the PELDOR data for the groups containing three or more spin labels has been outlined on the basis of the results for pairs of spin labels. It has been also analyzed how the spin flips and molecular motion or molecular isomerization can affect the manifestation of the interaction between the spin labels in PELDOR experiments. PELDOR experiments for the stable biradicals (biradicals I containing 1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrroline-3-yl spin labels and biradicals II containing 3-imidazoline spin labels) have been performed. The results have been interpreted within the theory developed in this work.     

EPR Spectra of Hydrazyl Biradicals

Electron paramagnetic resonance is the most effective method of studying the electron exchange in biradicals. Experimental EPR spectra for the solutions of some hydrazyl biradicals are available in the literature (see Refs. [I,2]), however, the interpretation of the spectra is not given.     

Effect of solvent nature on spin exchange in rigid nitroxide biradicals

Intramolecular electron spin exchange as a function of temperature and solvent viscosity and polarity has been studied by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in two rigid nitroxide biradicals existing in one spatial conformation only. Temperature variations of the isotropic hyperfine splitting constanta and exchange integral value |J/a| were measured from EPR spectra and subsequently analyzed. The interaction of polar solvent molecules with >N-O fragments of nitroxide groups led to a slight decrease of the |J/a| value with the increase of temperatureT. In contrast, the interaction of polar solvent molecules with functional groups inside the bridge resulted in a noticeable increase of |J/a| vs.T. In the last case, a coverse relationship between the values of |J/a| and the hyperfine splitting constanta has been observed for solvents with different polarity.     

Asymmetric line broadening in the electron resonance spectra of biradicals

At high temperatures the dominant relaxation process which determines the linewidths in the electron resonance spectra of flexible biradicals is modulation of the scalar electron-electron exchange interaction. In systems of high viscosity, the modulation of the exchange interaction is often quenched, and the rotational modulation of the anisotropic magnetic interactions now constitutes the principal relaxation mechanism. In this paper we derive a theoretical expression for the broadening which results from this relaxation process. The applications of the theory to the determination of molecular configurations, electron-electron separations and the sign of the exchange interaction are illustrated by comparison with the electron resonance spectrum of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinol-1-oxyl)carbonate. The theory is also of value in understanding the spectra of partially immobilized biradical spin labels.     

EPR Spectroscopy of Mercury-Organic Compounds with Nitroxide Radicals

Intramolecular electron spin exchange as a function of temperature, solvent viscosity and polarity has been studied by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for two nitroxide biradicals containing mercury-organic groups in the bridge connecting two 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-3,4-ene-nitroxide rings, R. The temperature dependence of the isotropic hyperfine splitting (hfs) constant a ^N and the exchange integral value |J/a| of the biradicals were measured from EPR spectra and subsequently analyzed comparing to a ^N and a ^Hg hfs constants of ClHgR radical dissolved in the same solvents. In all cases, the interaction of solvent molecules (SM) with >N–O fragments of nitroxide rings led to a slight decrease in a values with increasing temperature. The |J/a| value varied slightly with temperature T changes. The changes of |J/a| are much less comparing to those with variation of the solvent polarity. The interaction between SM and Hg atoms inside the bridge is observed and discussed.     

Unexpected Features of the Intramolecular Spin Exchange in Imidazoline Nitroxide Biradicals Dissolved in Ionic Liquids

Three imidazoline-type nitroxide biradicals of the similar composition R ₅ ^NO –CH=N–N=CH–R ₅ ^N , B1, R ₅ ^NO –CH=N–N=C(CH₃)–R ₅ ^N , B2, and R ₅ ^N –C(CH₃)=N–N=C(CH₃)–R ₅ ^N , B3, with R ₅ ^N and R ₅ ^NO denoting, respectively, the nitroxide rings 1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazoline and 1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-N–oxide imidazoline, have been studied by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Variations of the intramolecular electron spin exchange in these biradicals dissolved in ethanol and the room temperature ionic liquid bmimBF₄ were characterized as a function of temperature by means of the analysis of the EPR lines shape. Thermodynamic parameters of the conformational rearrangements in ethanol were calculated. Analyzing the EPR spectra of these biradicals in bmimBF₄, it was revealed that the two-conformational model does not describe their conformational transitions. Moreover, the observed EPR spectra are not central symmetric especially at low temperatures that cannot be described and explained in the framework of the current theory of the intramolecular spin exchange. Probable reasons of this “strange” behavior are discussed.     

The study of the electron spin exchange efficiency in liquid solutions of radicals at various EPR frequencies

The electron spin exchange efficiency in toluene solutions of stable nitroxide radicals at different EPR frequencies has been studied. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theory. The spin exchange constantsK _e measured at X-band and 2-mm band coincide. TheK _e values measured from the exchange broadening of the EPR lines do not depend on the value of the nitrogen nuclear spinI _N     

The Structure and EPR Behavior of Short Nitroxide Biradicals Containing Sulfur Atom in the Bridge

Two short nitroxide biradicals of similar composition: S(OR₆)₂ (1) and O=S(OR₆)₂ (2), where OR₆ is 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-oxypiperidine, have been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray structural analysis. Variations of the intramolecular electron spin exchange in the biradicals, dissolved in toluene and ethanol, as a function of temperature were characterized by changes in the isotropic ¹⁴N hyperfine splitting constant a, values of the exchange integral $ \left| J \right|, $ and compared with the X-ray structural data. Thermodynamic parameters of the conformational rearrangements were calculated. Geometry optimization and spin density distribution calculations of biradicals 1 and 2 were carried out on the DFT/UB3LYP/cc-pVdz and DFT/ROPBE/N07D levels of theory. Structural rigidity and probable differences in biradicals behavior are discussed.     

Conformational dynamics of triradical nitroxides as studied by EPR

The EPR spectra of a flexible nitroxide triradical are recorded in a large temperature range. A detailed analysis of the spectral features is performed and the spectra are compared with computer simulations. An excellent agreement with the experimental spectra is obtained by using a dynamic model based on the conformation interconversion of different molecular structures, characterized by the electron exchange interactions between pairs of free radicals. The energy barrier for the interconversion process and the temperature variation of the constant for the equilibrium among the conformations have been obtained. The results show that EPR spectra of nitroxide triradicals spin labelled polymers could be of valuable use for studying subtle details of molecular dynamics.     

Very-high-field EPR and its applications

A kind of review of recent developments of the very-high-field EPR technique and applications is presented, the largest part of attention being attracted to studies of molecular structures and molecular and chemical dynamics of free radicals, biradicals and some paramagnetic complexes. The very recent results on thermal spin polarization effects on high-field/low-temperature EPR lineshape are overviewed. These effects are proved to provide a novel approach to study systems withS>1/2, particularly radical pairs, radical clusters and biradicals.     

EPR spectra of the double triangular polyoxovanadates with exchange and electron transfer effects: Symmetry breaking and effective motional averaging

The interplay of isotropic exchange, antisymmetric (AS) exchange, and electron delocalization has been theoretically investigated for a system comprising two triangles, one with three localized d¹ spins, which gives rise to spin frustration effects, and the other with one d¹ center delocalized on the three sites. In the localized limit the AS exchange is partially reduced by the low symmetry components of an isotropic exchange (inter-triangle interaction) and splits the spin triplets only in the second order, contrary to what is found for a single triangular system where splitting of the spin doublet levels occurs in the first order. Zero-field splitting parameters depend on both AS exchange parameters and low symmetry components of the isotropic exchange. The EPR spectrum consists of intratriplet (Heisenberg type) and intertriplet (non-Heisenberg type) lines. AS exchange also induces singlet-triplet transitions. The EPR spectra of powder samples are generated for a domain of key parameters. Two different situations occur depending on the symmetry of the electronic states when the electron delocalization is taken into account. The orbital doublets of the localized system indicate a complete averaging of the exchange interactions, which results in effective enhancement of AS exchange. Unlike triplets, the orbital singlets are unaffected by a transfer process, developing only second-order AS exchange. Coexistence of localized and delocalized states is expected to be an intrinsic feature of exchange systems with partial delocalization. The relevance of these effects to the magnetic properties of exchange clusters is briefly discussed.     

Molecular dynamics and spatial distribution of TOAC spin-labelled peptaibols studied in glassy liquid by echo-detected EPR spectroscopy

2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-l-oxyl-4-carboxylic acid (TOAC) spin-labelled analogues of the Aib-rich peptide (peptaibol) Trichogin GA IV are investigated in a glassy methanol/glycerol (70/30 v/v%) system, using conventional CW EPR and electron spin echo spectroscopy. Echo-detected (ED) EPR spectra indicate that the labels undergo restricted orientational motion (libration). Comparison with the small molecular spin probe Tempone shows that the dynamics of peptide molecules is determined by their structure and not by the surrounding medium. At the terminal positions (position 1 and 8) TOAC residues were found to be more flexible than at the central 4th position. Instantaneous diffusion mechanism in electron spin echo, which also contributes to the ED EPR spectra, was employed for deriving the local concentration of peptaibols. This approach may serve as a tool for investigation of peptide aggregation. In the studied model glassy solution the peptaibols were found to be randomly distributed.     

Resolving Conformational and Rotameric Exchange in Spin-Labeled Proteins Using Saturation Recovery EPR

The function of many proteins involves equilibria between conformational substates, and to elucidate mechanisms of function it is essential to have experimental tools to detect the presence of conformational substates and to determine the time scale of exchange between them. Site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) has the potential to serve this purpose. In proteins containing a nitroxide side chain (R1), multicomponent electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra can arise either from equilibria involving different conformational substates or rotamers of R1. To employ SDSL to uniquely identify conformational equilibria, it is thus essential to distinguish between these origins of multicomponent spectra. Here we show that this is possible based on the time scale for exchange of the nitroxide between distinct environments that give rise to multicomponent EPR spectra; rotamer exchange for R1 lies in the ≈0.1–1 μs range, while conformational exchange is at least an order of magnitude slower. The time scales of exchange events are determined by saturation recovery EPR, and in favorable cases, the exchange rate constants between substates with lifetimes of approximately 1–70 μs can be estimated by the approach.     

Direct conversion of EPR dipolar time evolution data to distance distributions

Shallow electron spin echo envelope modulations due to dipole-dipole couplings between electron spins provide information on the radial distribution function of the spins in disordered systems while angular correlations between spin pairs are negligible. Under these conditions and in the absence of orientational selection, the dipolar time evolution data can be quantitatively simulated for arbitrary radial distribution functions by shell factorization, i.e., by performing the orientational average separately for thin spherical shells and multiplying the signals of all the shells. For distances below 5 nm, a linear superposition of the signals of the shells is sufficient. The dipolar time evolution data can be separated into this linear contribution and a nonlinear background. The linear contribution can then be converted directly to a radial distribution function. For a series of shape-persistent and flexible biradicals with end-to-end distances between 2 and 5 nm, shell factorization and direct conversion of the data are in good agreement with each other and with force-field computations of the end-to-end distances. The neglect of orientation selection does not cause significant distortions of the determined distance distributions.     

Radio-frequency superradiance induced by the rheological explosion of polymer composites containing paramagnetic cobalt complexes

Superradiance induced by the rheological explosion of composites based on polystyrene, cobalt acetylacetonate, and/or 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol has been investigated. The superradiance intensity is determined by solid-phase chemical reactions induced by the rheological explosion. EPR, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopic characterization of stable products resulting from the rheological explosion in the polymer matrix has demonstrated that the superradiance intensity is related to the electronic properties and structure of two-spin intermediates, namely, radical pairs and organoelement biradicals.