Simultaneous molecular imaging based on electron paramagnetic resonance of 14N- and 15N-labelled nitroxyl radicals

The major advancement outlined in this communication is the simultaneous visualisation of two kinds of nitroxyl radicals using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and imaging.     

Differential pulse polarography and electron spin resonance spectroscopy of nitroxyl free radicals used as ESR-spin probes

Differential pulse polarography (DPP) and electron spin resonance (ESR) were used to study the influence of substituents and of the pH of the medium on DPP peak potentials (electrochemical reduction) resp. kreduction (chemical reduction) of nitroxyl free radicals. The DPP peak potentials can be used to select the appropriate nitroxide spin label for relevant biochemical and biophysical applications.     

Studies on electron spin resonance spectroscopy of biradical molecules containing (14)N-O and (15)N-O moieties

The biradicals with (14)N-Oxide and (15)N-Oxide at the both ends of a molecule are synthesized for the molecular ruler of protein structure, and a potential device for quantum computing. We also establish a general synthetic method for reliable biradical formation. ESR spectra are recorded for the biradicals containing (15)N-Oxide and (14)N-Oxide with various interdistance separations. We find that two types of biradicals yielded different ESR spectra depending upon the distance between the (15)N-O and (14)N-O moieties in a molecule. This is due to electron spin dipole-dipole interaction occurring between the radicals. We also find that there is an indication of isotopic nuclear effects in the dipole-dipole interactions. The present study implies feasibility of the distance measurement between two different N-Oxides containing (14)N and (15)N isotopes. We conclude that quantum entanglement effects are observed through the dipolar interactions, which enable application of quantum computing devices operating in the liquid state.     

Time-resolved electron spin resonance with electron spin polarization (CIDEP) as a sensitive probe of degenerate electron exchange reactions

It is shown that the occurrence of electron-exchange processes produces a distinctive effect in the time-resolved electron spin resonance spectra of spin-polarized radicals observed in the continuous presence of a microwave field. The effects observed are consistent with a theory based upon the Bloch equations.     

(1)H relaxation dispersion in solutions of nitroxide radicals: Effects of hyperfine interactions with (14)N and (15)N nuclei

(1)H relaxation dispersion of decalin and glycerol solutions of nitroxide radicals, 4-oxo-TEMPO-d(16)-(15)N and 4-oxo-TEMPO-d(16)-(14)N was measured in the frequency range of 10 kHz-20 MHz (for (1)H) using STELAR Field Cycling spectrometer. The purpose of the studies is to reveal how the spin dynamics of the free electron of the nitroxide radical affects the proton spin relaxation of the solvent molecules, depending on dynamical properties of the solvent. Combining the results for both solvents, the range of translational diffusion coefficients, 10(-9)-10(-11) m(2)∕s, was covered (these values refer to the relative diffusion of the solvent and solute molecules). The data were analyzed in terms of relaxation formulas including the isotropic part of the electron spin - nitrogen spin hyperfine coupling (for the case of (14)N and (15)N) and therefore valid for an arbitrary magnetic field. The influence of the hyperfine coupling on (1)H relaxation of solvent molecules depending on frequency and time-scale of the translational dynamics was discussed in detail. Special attention was given to the effect of isotope substitution ((14)N∕(15)N). In parallel, the influence of rotational dynamics on the inter-molecular (radical - solvent) electron spin - proton spin dipole-dipole coupling (which is the relaxation mechanism of solvent protons) was investigated. The rotational dynamics is of importance as the interacting spins are not placed in the molecular centers. It was demonstrated that the role of the isotropic hyperfine coupling increases for slower dynamics, but it is of importance already in the fast motion range (10(-9)m(2)∕s). The isotope effects is small, however clearly visible; the (1)H relaxation rate for the case of (15)N is larger (in the range of lower frequencies) than for (14)N. It was shown that when the diffusion coefficient decreases below 5 × 10(-11) m(2)∕s electron spin relaxation becomes of importance and its role becomes progressively more significant when the dynamics slows done. As far as the influence of the rotational dynamics is concerned, it was show that this process is of importance not only in the range of higher frequencies (like for diamagnetic solutions) but also at low and intermediate frequencies.     

Joint theoretical experimental investigation of the electron spin resonance spectra of nitroxyl radicals: application to intermediates in in situ nitroxide mediated polymerization (in situ NMP) of vinyl monomers

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to address the structure of nitroxide intermediates in controlled radical polymerization. In a preliminary step, the reliability of different theoretical methods has been substantiated by comparing calculated hyperfine coupling constants (HFCCs) to experimental data for a set of linear and cyclic alkylnitroxyl radicals. Considering this tested approach, the nature of different nitroxides has been predicted or confirmed for (a) the reaction of C-phenyl- N- tert-butylnitrone and AIBN, (b) N- tert-butyl-alpha-isopropylnitrone and benzoyl peroxide, (c) tert-butyl methacrylate polymerization in the presence of sodium nitrite as mediator, and (d) for the reaction of a nitroso compound with AIBN. Values of HFCC experimentally determined have been confirmed by DFT calculations.     

High frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) study of a high spin Co(II) complex

Variable high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance data were collected for a single crystal of [Zn(hmp)(dmb)Cl]₄ (1) doped with a small quantity of high spin Co(II), where dmb is 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol and hmp- is the monoanion of 2-hydroxy-methylpyridine. The lack of solvent in the lattice of complex 1 results in very little disorder. Consequently, the EPR spectra are extremely sharp, enabling precise comparisons with theoretical simulations. We find the ground state of the Co(II) ions to be an effective spin S′ = 1/2 Kramers’ doublet with a highly anisotropic g-tensor. The anisotropy is found to be of the easy-axis type, with the single-ion easy axis directions tilted away from the crystallographic c direction by 58°.     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of the dissociation of di-(2,4,6-triphenyl)phenyl peroxide and di-(2,4,6-triphenyl)diselenide into free radicals

Russian Chemical Bulletin -     

Effects of cation siting and spin–spin interactions on the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Cu exchanged X Faujasite zeolite

Copper(II) exchanged Na X Faujasite zeolite was cation exchanged at levels from one Cu(II) in 30 unit cells (0.033 Cu(II)/UC) to 38 Cu(II) per unit cell (38 Cu/UC) and was examined by continuous wave and two-pulse and three-pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at temperatures from 10 K to 300 K. In this work exchange of Cu²⁺ into X Faujasite zeolite is shown by EPR spectral and pulsed EPR relaxation measurements to begin into site I′, where it lies coordinated to a hexagonal prism face with Si:Al ratios of predominantly 4:2 and 5:1. Spin–spin interactions influence EPR g-value averaging, spin–spin relaxation, and spin spectral diffusion in a manner highly dependent on Cu exchange. Spin–lattice relaxation is relatively independent of exchange. The marked increase observed in spin–spin relaxation and g-value averaging at 8 Cu/UC and an effective Cu–Cu distance of 1.2 nm can be understood in terms of filling sodalite cages with an average of 1 Cu²⁺ each.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance line shifts and line shape changes due to heisenberg spin exchange and dipole-dipole interactions of nitroxide free radicals in liquids 8. Further experimental and theoretical efforts to separate the effects of the two interactions

The work in part 6 of this series (J. Phys. Chem. A 2009, 113, 4930), addressing the task of separating the effects of Heisenberg spin exchange (HSE) and dipole-dipole interactions (DD) on electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of nitroxide spin probes in solution, is extended experimentally and theoretically. Comprehensive measurements of perdeuterated 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-oxopiperidine-1-oxyl (pDT) in squalane, a viscous alkane, paying special attention to lower temperatures and lower concentrations, were carried out in an attempt to focus on DD, the lesser understood of the two interactions. Theoretically, the analysis has been extended to include the recent comprehensive treatment by Salikhov (Appl. Magn. Reson. 2010, 38, 237). In dilute solutions, both interactions (1) introduce a dispersion component, (2) broaden the lines, and (3) shift the lines. DD introduces a dispersion component proportional to the concentration and of opposite sign to that of HSE. Equations relating the EPR spectral parameters to the rate constants due to HSE and DD have been derived. By employing nonlinear least-squares fitting of theoretical spectra to a simple analytical function and the proposed equations, the contributions of the two interactions to items 1-3 may be quantified and compared with the same parameters obtained by fitting experimental spectra. This comparison supports the theory in its broad predictions; however, at low temperatures, the DD contribution to the experimental dispersion amplitude does not increase linearly with concentration. We are unable to deduce whether this discrepancy is due to inadequate analysis of the experimental data or an incomplete theory. A new key aspect of the more comprehensive theory is that there is enough information in the experimental spectra to find items 1-3 due to both interactions; however, in principle, appeal must be made to a model of molecular diffusion to separate the two. The permanent diffusion model is used to illustrate the separation in this work. In practice, because the effects of DD are dominated by HSE, negligible error is incurred by using the model-independent extreme DD limit of the spectral density functions, which means that DD and HSE may be separated without appealing to a particular model.     

Complexation of copper(II)-Chelidamate: A multifrequency-pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance and electron nuclear double resonance analysis

Multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) techniques were used to obtain structural information about the copper(II)-chelidamate complex. Well-resolved nitrogen ENDOR spectra could be recorded from solid solution samples by using selective excitation of spin packets. Evaluation of nuclear quadrupole and dipolar hyperfine interaction of the directly ligated nitrogen allowed for an identification of the bond direction to the copper ion within the eigen frame of the copper g-matrix. Invoking two-dimensional EPR techniques, additional hyperfine interaction with a "distant" nitrogen spin, identified as resulting from the solvent dimethylformamide (DMF), was observed. The experimental data are only consistent with formation of a stable pseudoplanar copper complex with single solvent ligation via its oxygen atom.     

Applications of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to study interactions of metalloenzymes with Cu(II) ions

In the past, the method of reconstitution was used to investigate the interaction between metalloenzymes (containing Zn(II)) and metal ions. In this paper, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been employed to firstly study the direct interactions between Bacillus subtilis neutral proteinase (BSNP), nuclease P1 and Cu(II) ions added in aqueous solution, respectively. These results show that a dynamic equilibrium exists between the Zn(II) in the active site of native enzymes and the added Cu(II), the added Cu(II) partly replaces the Zn(II), forming Cu(II)-enzyme derivatives. As a result, the activity of the native enzymes is influenced. The influences of pH value on this kind of interaction have also been investigated, and the results demonstrate that the change of pH value has little influence on the system of nuclease P1, but has remarkable influence on BSNP. We firstly obtained the EPR spectra for Cu(II)-enzyme derivatives. In addition, the derivative of Cu(II)-BSNP exists in the solution with two different conformations (I type g(parallel)=2.34, A(parallel) (mT)=13.4; II type g(parallel)=2.25, A(parallel) (mT)=16.1), and this two conformations exchanged each other depending on pH.     

Tuning of the spin distribution between ligand- and metal-based spin: electron paramagnetic resonance of mixed-ligand molybdenum tris(dithiolene) complex anions

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of homoleptic and mixed-ligand molybdenum tris(dithiolene) complex anions [Mo(tfd)(m)(bdt)(n)](-) (n + m = 3; bdt = S(2)C(6)H(4); tfd = S(2)C(2)(CF(3))(2)) reveal that the spin density has mixed metal-ligand character with more ligand-based spin for [Mo(tfd)(3)](-) and a higher degree of metal-based spin for [Mo(bdt)(3)](-): the magnitude of the isotropic (95,97)Mo hyperfine interaction increases continuously, by a factor of 2.5, on going from the former to the latter. The mixed complexes fall in between, and the metal character of the spin increases with the bdt content. The experiments were corroborated by density functional theory computations, which reproduce this steady increase in metal-based character.     

Theoretical investigation of paramagnetic diazabutadiene gallium(III)-pnictogen complexes: insights into the interpretation and simulation of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra

The electronic structures and the spin density distributions of the paramagnetic gallium 1,4-diaza(1,3)butadiene (DAB) model systems [((t)Bu-DAB)Ga(I)[Pn(SiH3)2]]* and the related dipnictogen species [((t)Bu-DAB)Ga[Pn(SiH3)2]2]* (Pn = N, P, As) were studied using density functional theory. The calculations demonstrate that all systems share a qualitatively similar electronic structure and are primarily ligand-centered pi-radicals. The calculated electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) hyperfine coupling constants (HFCCs) for these model systems were optimized using iterative methods and were used to create accurate spectral simulations of the parent radicals [((t)Bu-DAB)Ga(I)[Pn(SiMe3)2]]* (Pn = N, P, or As) and [((t)Bu-DAB)Ga[Pn(SiMe3)2]2]* (Pn = P or As), the EPR spectra of which had not been simulated previously due to their complexity. Excellent agreement was observed between the calculated HFCCs and the optimum values, which can be considered the actual HFCCs for these systems. The computational results also revealed inconsistencies in the published EPR data of some related paramagnetic group 13-DAB complexes.     

Thermoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of mineral chrysocolla (dioptase)

The natural mineral chrysocolla (CuSiO₃·2H₂O) has been investigated in terms of thermally stimulated luminescence and EPR measurements. The glow curves for natural samples present three glow peaks at 190, 357 and 450°C. Pre annealed and subsequently irradiated samples give rise to four glow peaks at 140°C, 193°C, 305°C and 450°C. The formation of H^o centers at the expense of water molecules present in the channels has been identified by EPR measurements.     

Electron spin resonance study of free radicals in the radiation grafting of butadiene to poly(vinyl chloride)

The kinetics of the disappearance of propagating butadiene radicals produced in the grafting of butadiene to poly(vinyl chloride) was followed by electron spin resonance measurements. The radical species observed in the temperature range 213–298°K is the conjugated allylic radical: The reaction conditions were adjusted to provide a highly viscous medium in which the propagation reaction took place. Under these conditions the radicals were stabilized and a precise ESR spectrum was obtained. Arrhenius plots of the second-order decay rate constants yield an activation energy of 5 kcal/mole. This suggests that the bimolecular termination reaction is controlled by the segmental motion of the grafted side chains.     

A Tr Esr study of the quenching of photoexcited dioxouranium (VI) salts by stable nitroxyl free radicals

TR ESR spectroscopy was applied to the study of the quenching of excited dioxouranium (VI) (uranyl) nitrate and sulfate by stable nitroxyl radicals of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) family. Photoexcitation of uranyl in solutions of alcohols of moderate viscosity (η = 3-10 cP) in the presence of TEMPO leads to CIDEP signals of TEMPO due to a radical triplet pair mechanism (RTPM). Polarized nitroxyls were also observed in solutions of polyelectrolyte sodium poly(styrenesulfonate), NaPSS, in the presence of the nitroxyl with a positively charged trimethylammonium group. Photolysis of uranyl salts in solutions of alcohols leads to the generation of free radicals of alcohols. No CIDEP of these radicals was observed, distinguishing U₂ ^2+* from its organic analog, the triplet benzophenone. The probable reason for the lack of polarization in uranyl photoreduction reactions is the difficult access of free radicals to the U atom of the solvated radical UO₂₊ (V); this atom bears the unpaired electron. The role of polyelectrolytes in the enhancement of the quenching of excited states is discussed. Results are in agreement with the statement that photoexcited uranyl has a triplet multiplicity.