PRODUCTS AND RELATIVE REACTION RATES OF THE OXIDATION OF TOCOPHEROLS WITH SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN

Abstract— The relative reactivity of singlet molecular oxygen, 0₂(¹Δ_g), α-,β-,Γ-and δ with -tocopherol (vitamin E) was investigated using microwave discharge generation as a uniquely clean source of singlet oxygen and using a hydrocarbon solvent to approximate the membrane environment. The relative efficiencies of the tocopherols for O₂(¹Δg) were found to decrease in the order: D-α-tocopherol > D-β-tocopheroI > D–Γ-tocopherol > D-δ-tocopherol. The reaction products in all cases were found to be mixtures of quinone and quinone epoxides apparently resulting from decomposition of the primary product, the hydroperoxydienone.     

RATES OF REACTION OF SINGLET OXYGEN WITH SULFIDES

Abstract—Reaction rate constants for the reaction of singlet oxygen with a series of 24 sulfides in chloroform have been measured by inhibition of the self-sensitized photooxidation of rubrene. The reaction rate constant is sensitive to steric effects, decreasing as the carbons α- to sulfur become more highly substituted. Addition of a methyl group to each of the carbons α- to sulfur decreases the rate constant by about a factor of 10. From a series of p - and m -substituted thioanisoles, a ρ of -1.67 ± 0.09 was found. A much better correlation was found with σ than with σ⁺ indicating there is no resonance interaction with the reaction center. Typical rate constants are: di- n -butyl sulfide, 2.3 × 10⁷ M ^-1 s^-1; CBZ-L-methionine methyl ester, 1.4 × 10⁷; di-s-butyl sulfide, 1.8 × 10⁶; di- t -butyl sulfide, 1.3 × 10⁵; and thioanisole, 2.3 × 10⁶.     

Oxygen evolution in spin-sensitive pathways

The overall performance of water electrolysis suffers from the high kinetic barrier in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. Considerable effort has been made on the fundamental understandings of the reaction mechanisms of OER. Recently, the attention has been given to the OER on magnetic catalysts, which is believed being able to promote the kinetics of an OER process from singlet reactants to triplet oxygen. The process in principle involves spin selective electron transfer. Here, we discuss the effects of spin in OER based on the recent advances and summarize our recently proposed mechanisms of the OER in spin-sensitive pathways under the lattice oxygen oxidation mechanism, the interaction of two M?O entity mechanism, and the adsorbate evolution mechanism.     

AN EXAMPLE OF HOW PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES CAN INFLUENCE THE MAGNITUDE OF SOLVENT ISOTOPE EFFECTS UPON PHOTO-OXIDATION REACTIONS

Abstract Substantial isotope effects have been observed for the dye sensitised photo-oxidation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-pyrazoline in both polar and non polar solvents, implicating singlet oxygen as a reactive intermediate. By way of contrast, a solvent isotope effect upon the direct photo-oxidation of the pyrazoline was only observed when a protic solvent (methanol) was used. It was found that the photophysical properties (e.g. quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes) of pyrazolines are sensitive to the isotopic composition of protic solvents but not aprotic solvents. The solvent isotope effect observed for the direct photo-oxidation reaction in methanol may not therefore be a true indication of the participation of singlet oxygen. Since this reaction may not be singlet oxygen mediated, an alternative mechanism is proposed.     

Singlet oxygen production in the reaction of superoxide with organic peroxides

[reaction: see text] A selective chemiluminescent probe for singlet oxygen has been employed to detect and quantify singlet oxygen in the reactions of superoxide with organic peroxides. The production of singlet oxygen has been quantified in the reaction of superoxide with benzoyl peroxide (BP). No singlet oxygen was detected in the reactions of superoxide with cumyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroxide, or tert-butyl hydroperoxide. On the basis of these results and on the temperature dependence of the reaction, we proposed a mechanism for singlet oxygen formation in the reaction of superoxide with BP.     

Quantification of singlet oxygen production in the reaction of superoxide with hydrogen peroxide using a selective chemiluminescent probe

A sensitive chemiluminescent probe that selectively reacts with singlet oxygen in the presence of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide has been used to quantify the production of singlet oxygen in the reaction of superoxide with hydrogen peroxide. The yield of singlet oxygen from this reaction was found to be low (0.2% relative to the initial superoxide concentration). No evidence for the formation of hydroxyl radical was observed in this reaction, ruling out the Haber-Weiss mechanism as a major singlet oxygen formation pathway. No singlet oxygen production was observed in the reaction of superoxide with 2-nitrobenzoic acid, which has a pKa similar to that of hydrogen peroxide, rendering the protonation of superoxide, followed by its disproportionation, an unlikely explanation for the formation of singlet oxygen in this system. The low yields of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical suggest that their formation in this reaction should be relatively unimportant in biological systems.     

New Singlet Oxygen Donors Based on Naphthalenes: Synthesis,Physical Chemical Data,and Improved Stability

Singlet oxygen donors are of current interest for medical applications, but suffer from a short half‐life leading to low singlet oxygen yields and problems with storage. We have synthesized more than 25 new singlet oxygen donors based on differently substituted naphthalenes in only a few steps. The influence of functional groups on the reaction rate of the photooxygenations, thermolysis, half‐life, and singlet oxygen yield has been thoroughly studied. We determined various thermodynamic data and compared them with density functional calculations. Interestingly, remarkable stabilities of functional groups during the photooxygenations and stabilizing effects for some endoperoxides during the thermolysis have been found. Furthermore, we give evidence for a partly concerted and partly stepwise thermolysis mechanism leading to singlet and triplet oxygen, respectively. Our results might be interesting for “dark oxygenations” and future applications in medicine.     

THE FLAVIN-SENSITIZED PHOTOOXIDATION OF NUCLEOTIDES—II. THE PARTICIPATION OF THE FLAVIN TRIPLET STATE

Abstract— –A study has been made of the effects of a series of nucleotides upon the electronic excited states of lumiflavin in order to determine the mechanism of their flavin-sensitized oxidation. A hydrogen-abstraction mechanism is ruled out, because if the nucleotide acts as a reducing agent for the excited dye molecules, it should increase the rate of reduction of the dye when the irradiation is carried out in the absence of oxygen. However, each of the nucleotides studied was found to reduce the rate of anaerobic photoreduction. While oxidation by an intermediate species such as the dye 'moloxide' or singlet oxygen is not entirely ruled out, our evidence suggests that the initial reaction is between the nucleotide and the flavin triplet. This results in a loss of the triplet excitation energy and is a very efficient reaction, guanosine monophosphate shewing 36 per cent of the triplet quenching efficiency of potassium iodide. The relative rates of reaction of the nucleotides with the flavin triplet exactly parallels their quantum yields of sensitized photo-oxidation. The formation of ground-state complexes between flavin and nucleotide and the participation of the singlet excited state of the flavin are not considered to be important.     

Singlet Oxygen and Superoxide: Experimental Differentiation and Analysis

Superoxide produced by either pulse radiolysis or from KO₂ undergoes no reaction with furfuryl alcohol competitive to the corresponding endo-peroxide formation with singlet oxygen. Thus, furfuryl alcohol can be used as a specific chemical quencher of singlet oxygen. Superoxide can be quantitatively analyzed by its electron transfer reaction with 1, 4-benzoquinone. The differentiation of the two activated species of oxygen has been realized in microemulsions. Singlet oxygen is known to penetrate the interfaces of surfactant aggregates and may be analyzed in the hydrophobic core by known methods. Charged surfaces on such aggregates, specially those formed by anionic surfactants, prevent the passage of superoxide and restrict its presence and the need for analysis to the bulk aqueous phase. Hydrated electrons may penetrate the interface depending on the dose per pulse applied. 2, 5-Di (t-butyl)-1, 4-benzoquinone has been taken as an acceptor for electron transfer reactions within the hydrophobic core.     

Solvent effect on the sensitized photooxygenation of cyclic and acyclic α-diimines

The reaction of singlet molecular oxygen with a series of cyclic and acyclic α-diimines was studied. Time-resolved methods were used to measure total reaction rate constants and steady-state methods were used to determine chemical reaction rate constants. GC-MS was used to tentatively assign the reaction products. 5,6-Disubstituted cyclic α-diimines are singlet oxygen quenchers, but become more effective in polar solvents. A reaction mechanism involving a perepoxide intermediate or transition state leading to a hydroperoxide seems to be a key reaction path for product formation. A replacement of the phenyl substituent for a methyl substituent opens up an additional reaction involving a perepoxide-like exciplex, which increases singlet oxygen quenching of the cyclic α-diimines. The reactivity of 5,6-disubstituted cyclic α-diimines towards singlet oxygen is highly dependent on steric interactions arising from vicinal phenyl rings and from electronic effects. 1,4-Disubstituted acyclic α-diimines are, by comparison, moderate or poor singlet oxygen quenchers. Total rate constants are scarcely dependent on solvent properties, but instead correlate with the Hildebrand parameter. These results are explained in terms of a mechanism involving a dioxetane-like exciplex that gives rise to a charged intermediate leading to products.     

CHEMISTRY OF SINGLET OXYGEN—XXVI. PHOTOOXYGENATION OF PHENOLSy†

Abstract— The aerobic dye-sensitized photooxygenation of monohydric phenols proceeds by way of singlet oxygen under the conditions studied. Various phenols give different proportions of reaction with and quenching of singlet oxygen. Para-substituted 2,6-di-t-butylphenols show a linear correlation between the log of the total rate of singlet oxygen removal and their halfwave oxidation potentials; the same correlation is given for certain phenol methyl ethers. A Hammett plot using s?⁺ gives ρ - 1.72 ± 0.12, consistent with development of some charge in the quenching step. Reaction of photo-chemically generated singlet oxygen with 2,4,6-triphenylphenol gives 2,4,6-triphenylphenoxy radical as an intermediate in singlet oxygen quenching, although no overall reaction occurs. Kinetic analysis indicates that the radical is derived exclusively from the interaction of 2,4,6-triphenylphenol with singlet oxygen. A charge-transfer mechanism for quenching of singlet oxygen by phenols is proposed.     

THE FLAVIN SENSITISED PHOTOOXIDATION OF ASCORBIC ACID: A CONTINUOUS AND FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY

Abstract —The mechanism of the photooxidation of ascorbic acid by flavin mononucleotide has been studied by steady state and flash photolysis techniques. The primary reaction consists of an electron abstraction from ascorbic acid by the flavin singlet and triplet states by a diffusional process and in the latter case also by the formation of a triplet flavin-ascorbic acid complex. Under anaerobic conditions, the secondary reactions consist primarily of a radical recombination and a 'dark'chemical back reaction, leading to the reformation of unchanged flavin and ascorbic acid. In the presence of oxygen, the 'back reactions'are prevented, resulting in the efficient photooxidation of ascorbic acid.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF OXIDATION OF NUCLEIC ACID COMPONENTS BY HYDROXYL RADICALS, SINGLET OXYGEN AND SUPEROXIDE ANION RADICALS

Abstract— Superoxide radicals, singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals are individually or in combination involved in radiation or photochemical processes and in various enzymatic reactions. The reactivity and the mechanism of reaction of these oxygen species with some biologically significant DNA components were investigated through the characterization of the final oxidation products.
Superoxide radicals appear to be unreactive with purine and pyrimidine 2'-deoxyribonucleosides. However, the autoxidation reaction of 6-hydroxydopamine leads to extensive degradation of thymine through the intermediary of hydroxyl radicals. Chemically and microwave-discharge generated singlet oxygen oxidation is specific to 2'-deoxyguanosine. The main oxidized products of these reactions were also characterized as well as an as yet unidentified nucleoside in the methylene-blue photooxydation of 2-deoxyguanosine. These results, in addition to specific deuterium effect experiments, lend support to the involvment of singlet oxygen (type II mechanism) in the methylene-blue photosentization. No singlet oxygen effect was observed in aqueous irradiated system.     

烯烃光敏氧化反应机理 II: 丙烯与单线态氧[2+2]环加成反应途径的解析

本文进一步报道丙烯与单线态氧[2+2]环加成反应途径的计算结果, 沿反应途径反应物间相互作用的详细情况和甲基在反应进程中的动态电子效应, 从而揭示烷基取代烯烃与单线态氧不易发生[2+2]环加成反应的原因. 为进一步探求单线态氧与烯烃[2+2]环加成反应的必要条件提供依据. 本文所用计算方法与前文相同.     

Singlet Oxygen Generation by Cyclometalated Complexes and Applications

While cyclometalated complexes have been extensively studied for optoelectronic applications, these compounds also represent a relatively new class of photosensitizers for the production of singlet oxygen. Thus far, singlet oxygen generation from cyclometalated Ir and Pt complexes has been studied in detail. In this review, photophysical data for singlet oxygen generation from these complexes are presented, and the mechanism of ¹O₂ generation is discussed, including evidence for singlet oxygen generation via an electron‐transfer mechanism for some of cyclometalated Ir complexes. The period from the first report of singlet oxygen generation by a cyclometalated Ir complex in 2002 through August 2013 is covered in this review. This new class of singlet oxygen photosensitizers may prove to be rather versatile due to the ease of substitution of ancillary ligands without loss of activity. Several cyclometalated complexes have been tethered to zeolites, polystyrene, or quantum dots. Applications for photooxygenation of organic molecules, including “traditional” singlet oxygen reactions (ene reaction, [4 + 2] and [2 + 2] cycloadditions) as well as oxidative coupling of amines are presented. Potential biomedical applications are also reviewed.     

REACTION OF RETINOL AND RETINAL WITH SINGLET OXYGEN

Abstract— The rate constants for the reactions of all- trans retinol and retinal with singlet oxygen were measured in a variety of solvents of different polarities. The rate constants increased with increasing solvent dielectric constant, which suggests that a charge transfer mechanism plays a part in the reaction. Further, the rate constant of reaction of singlet oxygen with retinal is greater than that with retinol. Since retinal has a lower ionization potential than retinol, these relative rates also support the hypothesis of charge transfer involvement in the reaction.     

DARK INTERACTION AND OXYGEN DEPENDENT PHOTOBINDING BETWEEN AN AROMATIC TETRAPEPTIDE AND DNA MODIFIED BY 5- METHOXYPSORALEN MONOADDUCTS

The binding of the tetrapeptide lysyl-tryptophyl-glycyl-lysine t -butyl ester to native DNA and DNA photochemically modified by 5-methoxypsoralen has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The peptide exhibits a higher affinity for the modified DNA than for the undamaged DNA. This is due to the presence of strong stacking sites in the vicinity of 5-methoxypsoralen monoadducts. Upon irradiation at 365 nm of the peptide-modified DNA complexes, a cross-linking of the peptide to the nucleic acid is observed. This photochemical addition requires the presence of oxygen and involves, in part, singlet oxygen.     

Importance of single electron-transfer in singlet oxygen reaction in aqueous solution : Oxidation of electron-rich thioanisoles

Oxidation of substituted thioanisoles by chemically generated singlet oxygen was investigated in polar aqueous media. The formation of the superoxide ion was observed during sulphoxidation of 4-hydroxythioanisole (4) in phosphate buffer at pH 7.5. Control experiments indicated that the superoxide ion was formed by a direct reaction between singlet oxygen and 4. The kinetics of the trapping reaction by diphenylsulphoxide indicated the involvement of a single intermediate. The overall rate constants of the reaction of thioanisoles with singlet oxygen in methanol-water (1:1) are one order of magnitude larger than those in benzene. On the basis of these results, a mechanism involving a charge-transfer complex has been proposed for the reaction of electron-rich thioanisoles with singlet oxygen, whereby the charge-transfer complex would produce persulphoxide directly or dissociate to the cation radical and superoxide ion in polar aqueous media.     

Studies on the photooxidation mechanism of polymers. II. The role of quinones as sensitizers in the photooxidative degradation of polystyrene

During the quinone-sensitized photooxidative degradation of polystyrene film and its solution in benzene, an initial rapid decrease of average molecular weight has been observed by GPC and viscosity measurements. The reaction rates are strongly increased by quinones such as p-quinone, duroquinone, anthraquinone, and chloranil. It has been suggested that this photosensitized degradation of polystyrene occurs by a singlet oxygen reaction which might be related to an energy transfer mechanism from excited triplet states of quinones to molecular oxygen. The photooxidative degradation of polystyrene in solution can be diminished by addition of typical singlet oxygen quenchers such as 1,3-cyclohexadiene or β-carotene.     

PHOTODYNAMIC INACTIVATION OF LYSOZYME BY EOSIN

Abstract— It has been demonstrated that singlet oxygen is the major oxidizing entity in the photo-dynamic inactivation of hen egg white lysozyme by eosin, using D₂O to enhance the solvent-induced decay lifetime, and azide ion as a specific scavenger. Two regimes of inactivation can be distinguished depending on whether the sensitizer is free or complexed to the enzyme. The kinetic analysis for free dye sensitization, based on photostationary measurements and inactivation quantum yields, indicates that at least 1 in 15 singlet oxygen interactions with lysozyme leads to loss of lytic activity. The direct attack of triplet eosin makes a lesser overall contribution in air-saturated solutions, where 1 in 4 reactions induces inactivation. Lysozyme binds 1 eosin molecule from pH 4 to 12, leading to almost total quenching of the tryptophyl residue fluorescence without inhibition of the enzymic activity. The inactivation quantum yields indicate that singlet oxygen generated from the bound dye is the inactivating agent, but the dominant attack takes place with the complexed fraction of lysozyme molecules. The tryptophyl residue loss is the same or smaller in changing from H₂O to D₂O despite the 5–10 times increase in quantum yield, indicating that singlet oxygen inactivates also by reacting with residues other than tryptophan. The photochemical and fluorescence results are consistent with the the identification of tryptophyl site 108 with the eosin binding site and a reaction target for singlet oxygen. In a re-examination of earlier work on eosin-sensitized photo-oxidation of I", it has been found that singlet oxygen is the oxidizing agent in aerobic solutions.