Effect of substituents on spin density in benzimidazole nitronyl nitroxide radicals studied by electron spin resonance

Several novel benzimidazole‐3‐oxide‐1‐oxyl radicals with substituents at 5 and/or 6 position were synthesized. The ESR analysis of nitrogen hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) revealed that substituents at 5 and 6‐position affect the spin density to greater extent than substituents on the phenyl ring at 2‐position. Density functional theory calculations of nitrogen hfccs were performed using several different Pople type basis sets, as well as double and triple zeta quality individual gauge for localized orbital (IGLO‐II, IGLO‐III) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR‐II, EPR‐II) basis sets. Experimental and theoretical hfccs are compared. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DFT study of the EPR spectral pattern of propagating methacrylic radicals

The EPR spectral pattern observed in the bulk polymerization of methacrylic monomers was theoretically investigated by DFT methodology. The conformational analysis of the propagating radical by the rotation around the C–C_β bond, was performed using the B3LYP/6-31G^* computational scheme. To obtain accurate values of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) a higher level protocol, B3LYP/TZVP//B3LYP/6-31G^*, was applied. The experimental 13-line spectrum registered at the first stage of the polymerization was assumed to correspond to a free rotating radical in a fluid medium and it was simulated just considering the most stable conformation. The 9-line spectrum registered at high conversions was interpreted in terms of highly hindered rotational conformers frozen in the very viscous medium. This spectrum was well reproduced by a model which considers the sum of the individual spectra of the conformations spread around the most probable. Each of these contributing spectra was obtained on the basis of the computed hfccs for the considered conformations and weighted by his relative Boltzmann population according to the DFT analysis. Besides, the calculated hfccs showed an excellent agreement with those predicted by the Heller–McConnell relationship, which confirms the coherence of the DFT methodology for this kind of calculations.     

Density functional theory study of 14N isotropic hyperfine coupling constants of organic radicals

Nitrogen hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) of organic radicals have been calculated by density functional theory (DFT) methodology. The capability of the B3LYP functional, combined with 6-31G*, TZVP and EPR-III basis sets, to reproduce experimental nitrogen coupling constant data has been analyzed for 109 neutral, cationic and anionic radicals, all of them containing at least one nitrogen atom. The results indicate that the selection of the basis set plays an important role in the accuracy of DFT calculations of hfccs, mainly in relation with the composition of the primitive functions and the quantum number of those functions. The main conclusion obtained is the high reliability of the scheme B3LYP/6-31G* for the prediction of nitrogen hfccs with very low computational cost.     

Density functional theory predictions of isotropic hyperfine coupling constants

The reliability of density functional theory (DFT) in the determination of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) of the ground electronic states of organic and inorganic radicals is examined. Predictions using several DFT methods and 6-31G, TZVP, EPR-III and cc-pVQZ basis sets are made and compared to experimental values. The set of 75 radicals here studied was selected using a wide range of criteria. The systems studied are neutral, cationic, anionic; doublet, triplet, quartet; localized, and conjugated radicals, containing 1H, 9Be, 11B, 13C, 14N, 17O, 19F, 23Na, 25Mg, 27Al, 29Si, 31P, 33S, and 35Cl nuclei. The considered radicals provide 241 theoretical hfcc values, which are compared with 174 available experimental ones. The geometries of the studied systems are obtained by theoretical optimization using the same functional and basis set with which the hfccs were calculated. Regression analysis is used as a basic and appropriate methodology for this kind of comparative study. From this analysis, we conclude that DFT predictions of the hfccs are reliable for B3LYP/TZVP and B3LYP/EPR-III combinations. Both functional/basis set scheme are the more useful theoretical tools for predicting hfccs if compared to other much more expensive methods.     

Properties of alkali metal atoms deposited on a MgO surface: a systematic experimental and theoretical study

The adsorption of small amounts of alkali metal atoms (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) on the surface of MgO powders and thin films has been studied by means of EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. From a comparison of the measured and computed g values and hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs), a tentative assignment of the preferred adsorption sites is proposed. All atoms bind preferentially to surface oxide anions, but the location of these anions differs as a function of the deposition temperature and alkali metal. Lithium forms relatively strong bonds with MgO and can be stabilized at low temperatures on terrace sites. Potassium interacts very weakly with MgO and is stabilized only at specific sites, such as at reverse corners where it can interact simultaneously with three surface oxygen atoms (rubidium and cesium presumably behave in the same way). Sodium forms bonds of intermediate strength and could, in principle, populate more than a single site when deposited at room temperature. In all cases, large deviations of the hfccs from the gas-phase values are observed. These reductions in the hfccs are due to polarization effects and are not connected to ionization of the alkali metal, which would lead to the formation of an adsorbed cation and a trapped electron. In this respect, hydrogen atoms behave completely differently. Under similar conditions, they form (H(+))(e(-)) pairs. The reasons for this different behavior are discussed.     

Theoretical study on 5-nitrofuryl thiosemicarbazone radicals electronic properties

Theoretical studies of molecular conformations and electronic properties calculations of eight 5-nitrofuryl thiosemicarbazone free radicals, by means of ab initio (R/UHF), and DFT (R/UB3LYP) methods are presented and discussed in comparison with ESR and electrochemical experimental data. DFT calculated hyperfine coupling constants were used for the simulation of experimental spectra. We observed the molecules adopt mainly two conformations, both showing a pattern of spin density delocalization unusual for free radicals formed from aromatic nitrocompounds. Energy potential surfaces scaning through a determined dihedral angle were drawn to evaluate whether these conformations could coexist in equilibrium. Fukui and molecular orbital analysis were compared with ESR data as reactivity local indexes.     

Generation and EPR Spectroscopy of the First Silenyl Radicals,R2C=Si.−R: Experiment and Theory

The first two persistent silenyl radicals (R₂C=Si^.?R), with a half‐life (t_1/2) of about 30 min, were generated and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The large hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) (a(²⁹Si_α)=137.5–148.0 G) indicate that the unpaired electron has substantial s character. DFT calculations, which are in good agreement with the experimentally observed hfccs, predict a strongly bent structure (?C=Si?R=134.7–140.7°). In contrast, the analogous vinyl radical, R₂C=C^.?R (t_1/2≈3 h), exhibits a small hfcc (a(¹³C_α)=26.6 G) and has a nearly linear geometry (?C=C?R=168.7°).     

Generation and EPR Spectroscopy of the First Silenyl Radicals,R2C=Si.−R: Experiment and Theory

The first two persistent silenyl radicals (R₂C=Si^.?R), with a half‐life (t_1/2) of about 30 min, were generated and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The large hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) (a(²⁹Si_α)=137.5–148.0 G) indicate that the unpaired electron has substantial s character. DFT calculations, which are in good agreement with the experimentally observed hfccs, predict a strongly bent structure (?C=Si?R=134.7–140.7°). In contrast, the analogous vinyl radical, R₂C=C^.?R (t_1/2≈3 h), exhibits a small hfcc (a(¹³C_α)=26.6 G) and has a nearly linear geometry (?C=C?R=168.7°).     

Computational study of radicals derived from hydroxyurea and its methylated analogues

Structural and electronic properties and chemical fate of free radicals generated from hydroxyurea (HU) and its methylated analogues N-methylhydroxyurea (NMHU) and O-methylhydroxyurea (OMHU) are of utmost importance for their biological and pharmacological effects. In this work the cis/trans conformational processes, tautomerizations, and intramolecular hydrogen and methyl migrations in hydroxyurea-derived radicals have been considered. Potential energy profiles for these reactions have been calculated using two DFT functionals (BP86 and B3LYP) and two composite models (G3(MP2)RAD and G3B3). Solvation effects have been included both implicitly (CPCM) and explicitly. It has been shown that calculated energy barriers for free radical rearrangements are significantly reduced when a single water molecule is included in calculations. In the case of HU-derived open-shell species, a number of oxygen-, nitrogen-, and carbon-centered radicals have been located, but only the O-centered radicals (e1 and z1) fit to experimental isomeric hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) from EPR spectra. The reduction of NMHU and OMHU produces O-centered and N-centered radicals, respectively, with the former being more stable by ca. 60 kJ mol(-1). The NMHU-derived radical e4 undergoes rearrangements, which can result in formation of several conceivable products. The calculated hfccs have been successfully used to interpret the experimental EPR spectra of the most probable rearranged product 10. Reduction potentials of hydroxyureas, radical stabilization energy (RSE) and bond disocciation energy (BDE) values have been calculated to compare stabilities and reactivities of different subclasses of free radicals. It has been concluded, in agreement with experiment, that reductions of biologically relevant tyrosyl radicals by HU and NMHU are thermochemically favorable processes, and that the order of reactivity of hydroxyureas follows the experimentally observed trend NMHU > HU > OMHU.     

Observation of the 3(3)Sigma(+)-X1Sigma+ transition of KRb by resonance enhanced two-photon ionization in a pulsed molecular beam: Hyperfine structures of 39K85Rb and 39K87Rb isotopomers

The 3(3)Sigma(+)-X1Sigma+ transition of KRb is observed by resonance enhanced two-photon ionization in a pulsed molecular beam. Hyperfine splittings of 39K85Rb and 39K87Rb isotopomers are observed. From the magnitude of hyperfine splittings, we found that the main hyperfine structure was dominated by the Fermi contact interaction between the Rb nuclear spin and the unpaired electron spin. The Fermi contact interaction constants were determined to be 291 MHz for 39K85Rb and 665 MHz for 39K87Rb. In the KRb 3(3)Sigma+ state the electron spin couples more strongly with the Rb nuclear spin than with other angular momenta, and the energy level structure is well described by the hyperfine angular momentum coupling scheme of the b(betaS) case. The molecular constants and the Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential energy curve of the 3(3)Sigma+ state were determined.     

Structural and Conformational Aspects of Equatorial and Axial Trifluoromethyl,Difluoromethyl, and Monofluoromethyl Groups

The X‐ray crystal structures of cis‐ and trans‐1‐(indol‐3‐yl)‐4‐methyl cyclohexane and its congeners with stepwise fluorination of the methyl group are reported. The trans‐configured compounds adopted diequatorial conformations, whereas the cis analogues adopted regular cyclohexane chair conformations with the methyl group preferentially assuming the axial position, even in the case of the CF₃ group. Surprisingly, although the axial CF₃ derivative displayed distinct valence deformations in the cyclohexane moiety, the observed structural changes were relatively modest. The cis derivatives with axial mono‐ and difluorinated methyl groups exhibited conformational disorder in the crystals with significant population levels for the staggered conformations that had one fluorine atom in the endo position; their respective trans counterparts adopted unique conformations, but again with one fluorine atom in the endo position. Theoretical calculations for a series of cis‐ and trans‐1,4‐dimethyl cyclohexane model compounds with stepwise fluorination of one equatorial or axial methyl group reproduced the experimentally observed structural response patterns very well, reproduced the experimentally determined nonlinear correlation of the axial–equatorial energy difference with the degree of methyl fluorination in a satisfactory manner, and provided further insights into important conformational aspects of partially fluorinated methyl groups.     

Pulsed EPR and NMR spectroscopy of paramagnetic iron porphyrinates and related iron macrocycles: how to understand patterns of spin delocalization and recognize macrocycle radicals

Pulsed EPR spectroscopic techniques, including ESEEM (electron spin echo envelope modulation) and pulsed ENDOR (electron-nuclear double resonance), are extremely useful for determining the magnitudes of the hyperfine couplings of macrocycle and axial ligand nuclei to the unpaired electron(s) on the metal as a function of magnetic field orientation relative to the complex. These data can frequently be used to determine the orientation of the g-tensor and the distribution of spin density over the macrocycle, and to determine the metal orbital(s) containing unpaired electrons and the macrocycle orbital(s) involved in spin delocalization. However, these studies cannot be carried out on metal complexes that do not have resolved EPR signals, as in the case of paramagnetic even-electron metal complexes. In addition, the signs of the hyperfine couplings, which are not determined directly in either ESEEM or pulsed ENDOR experiments, are often needed in order to translate hyperfine couplings into spin densities. In these cases, NMR isotropic (hyperfine) shifts are extremely useful in determining the amount and sign of the spin density at each nucleus probed. For metal complexes of aromatic macrocycles such as porphyrins, chlorins, or corroles, simple rules allow prediction of whether spin delocalization occurs through sigma or pi bonds, and whether spin density on the ligands is of the same or opposite sign as that on the metal. In cases where the amount of spin density on the macrocycle and axial ligands is found to be too large for simple metal-ligand spin delocalization, a macrocycle radical may be suspected. Large spin density on the macrocycle that is of the same sign as that on the metal provides clear evidence of either no coupling or weak ferromagnetic coupling of a macrocycle radical to the unpaired electron(s) on the metal, while large spin density on the macrocycle that is of opposite sign to that on the metal provides clear evidence of antiferromagnetic coupling. The latter is found in a few iron porphyrinates and in most iron corrolates that have been reported thus far. It is now clear that iron corrolates are remarkably noninnocent complexes, with both negative and positive spin density on the macrocycle: for all chloroiron corrolates reported thus far, the balance of positive and negative spin density yields -0.65 to -0.79 spin on the macrocycle. On the other hand, for phenyliron corrolates, the balance of spin density on the macrocycle is zero, to within the accuracy of the calculations (Zakharieva, O.; Schünemann, V.; Gerdan, M.; Licoccia, S.; Cai, S.; Walker, F. A.; Trautwein, A. X. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 6636-6648), although both negative and positive spin densities are found on the individual atoms. DFT calculations are invaluable in providing calculated spin densities at positions that can be probed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and the good agreement between calculated spin densities and measured hyperfine shifts at these positions leads to increased confidence in the calculated spin densities at positions that cannot be directly probed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. (13)C NMR spectroscopic investigations of these complexes should be carried out to probe experimentally the nonprotonated carbon spin densities.     

Spin dynamics of the radical pair in a low magnetic field studied by the transient absorption detected magnetic field effect on the reaction yield and switched external magnetic field

The spin dynamics of the radical pair generated from the photocleavage reaction of (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)diphenylphosphine oxide (TMDPO) in micellar solutions was studied by the time-resolved magnetic field effect (MFE) on the transient absorption (TA) and by a novel technique, absorption detected switched external magnetic field (AD-SEMF). Thanks to the large hyperfine coupling constant (A = 38 mT), a characteristic negative MFE on the radical yield was observed at a magnetic field lower than 60 mT whereas a positive effect due to the conventional hyperfine (HFM) and relaxation mechanisms (RM) was observed at higher magnetic field. The negative effect can be assigned to the mechanism "so-called" low field effect (LFE) mechanism and has been analyzed thoroughly using a model calculation incorporating a fast spin dephasing process. The time scale of the spin mixing process of LFE studied by AD-SEMF is shorter than the lifetime of the recombination kinetics of the radical pair. These results indicate that the LFE originates from the coherent spin motion. This can be interfered from the fast spin dephasing caused by electron spin interaction fluctuations.     

Using the diphosphanyl radical as a potential spin label: effect of motion on the EPR spectrum of an R1(R2)P--PR1 radical

The EPR spectrum of the novel radical Mes*(CH3)P--PMes* (Mes*=2,4,6-(tBu)3C6H2) was measured in the temperature range 100-300 K, and was found to be drastically temperature dependent as a result of the large anisotropy of the 31P hyperfine tensors. Below 180 K, a spectrum of the liquid solution is accurately simulated by calculating the spectral modifications due to slow tumbling of the radical. To achieve this simulation, an algorithm was developed by extending the well-known nitroxide slow-motion simulation technique for the coupling of one electron spin to two nuclear spins. An additional dynamic process responsible for the observed line broadening was found to occur between 180 K and room temperature; this broadening is consistent with an exchange between two conformations. The differences between the isotropic 31P couplings associated with the two conformers are shown to be probably due to an internal rotation about the P--P bond.     

Chain ordering of Stratum corneum lipids investigated by EPR slow-tumbling simulation

We investigated the chain ordering of the lipid bilayer of Stratum corneum (SC) using an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin probe method in conjunction with slow-tumbling simulation. The ordering of SC lipids was evaluated by analysis of the signals of 5-doxylstearic acid (5-DSA) spin probe incorporated into the lamellar lipids. The result obtained with the conventional method of calculating the order parameter using hyperfine values was 0.80. The value of the order parameter obtained by spectral simulation was 0.73. It was found that the conventional method of calculating the chain ordering using hyperfine values could not differentiate subtle EPR spectral changes. However, EPR slow-tumbling simulation can differentiate such subtle spectral changes. Thus, the present EPR investigation suggests that simulation provides more detail about the structure of the lipid bilayer than the conventional method.     

The rotational spectrum of CoF in all three spin-orbit components of the X3Phi i state

The pure rotational spectrum of cobalt monofluoride in its X (3)Phi(i) electronic state has been measured in the frequency range of 256-651 GHz using direct absorption techniques. CoF was created by reacting cobalt vapor with F(2) in helium at low pressure (25-30 mTorr). All three spin components were identified in the spectrum of this species, two of which exhibited lambda doubling. Each spin component showed hyperfine splittings from both nuclei: an octet pattern arising from the (59)Co spin of I=72, which is further split into doublets due to the (19)F nucleus (I=12). The data were fitted close to experimental precision using an effective Hamiltonian expressed in Hund's case (a) form, and rotational, fine structure, hyperfine, and lambda-doubling parameters were determined. There is evidence that the rotational levels of the highest spin component (3)Phi(2) are perturbed. The r(0) bond length of CoF was estimated from the rotational constant to be 1.738 014(1) A. This value is in good agreement with previous studies but much more accurate. The matrix elements necessary for the complete treatment of Lambda doubling in a Phi state have been derived and are presented for the first time.     

ESR imaging investigations of two-phase systems

The possibilities of electron spin resonance (ESR) and electron spin resonance imaging (ESRI) for investigating the properties of the spin probes TEMPO and TEMPOL in two-phase systems have been examined in the systems water/n-octanol, Miglyol/Miglyol, and Precirol/Miglyol. Phases and regions of the phase boundary could be mapped successfully by means of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants, and, moreover, the quantification of rotational and lateral diffusion of the spin probes was possible. For the quantitative treatment of the micropolarity, a simplified empirical model was established on the basis of the Nernst distribution and the experimentally determined isotropic hyperfine coupling constants. The model does not only describe the summarized micropolarities of coexisting phases, but also the region of the phase boundary, where solvent molecules of different polarities and tendencies to form hydrogen bonds compete to interact with the NO group of the spin probe.     

Determining the topology of integral membrane peptides using EPR spectroscopy

This paper reports on the development of a new structural biology technique for determining the membrane topology of an integral membrane protein inserted into magnetically aligned phospholipid bilayers (bicelles) using EPR spectroscopy. The nitroxide spin probe, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid (TOAC), was attached to the pore-lining transmembrane domain (M2delta) of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and incorporated into a bicelle. The corresponding EPR spectra revealed hyperfine splittings that were highly dependent on the macroscopic orientation of the bicelles with respect to the static magnetic field. The helical tilt of the peptide can be easily calculated using the hyperfine splittings gleaned from the orientational dependent EPR spectra. A helical tilt of 14 degrees was calculated for the M2delta peptide with respect to the bilayer normal of the membrane, which agrees well with previous 15N solid-state NMR studies. The helical tilt of the peptide was verified by simulating the corresponding EPR spectra using the standardized MOMD approach. This new method is advantageous because: (1) bicelle samples are easy to prepare, (2) the helical tilt can be directly calculated from the orientational-dependent hyperfine splitting in the EPR spectra, and (3) EPR spectroscopy is approximately 1000-fold more sensitive than 15N solid-state NMR spectroscopy; thus, the helical tilt of an integral membrane peptide can be determined with only 100 microg of peptide. The helical tilt can be determined more accurately by placing TOAC spin labels at several positions with this technique.