Electron transfer and singlet oxygen mechanisms in the photooxygenation of dibutyl sulfide and thioanisole in MeCN sensitized by N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoborate and 9,10-dicyanoanthracene. The probable involvement of a thiadioxirane intermediate in electron transfer photooxygenations

Photooxygenations of PhSMe and Bu2S sensitized by N-methylquinolinium (NMQ+) and 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) in O2-saturated MeCN have been investigated by laser and steady-state photolysis. Laser photolysis experiments showed that excited NMQ+ promotes the efficient formation of sulfide radical cations with both substrates either in the presence or in absence of a cosensitizer (toluene). In contrast, excited DCA promotes the formation of radical ions with PhSMe, but not with Bu2S. To observe radical ions with the latter substrate, the presence of a cosensitizer (biphenyl) was necessary. With Bu2S, only the dimeric form of the radical cation, (Bu2S)2+*, was observed, while the absorptions of both PhSMe+* and (PhSMe)2+* were present in the PhSMe time-resolved spectra. The decay of the radical cations followed second-order kinetics, which in the presence of O2, was attributed to the reaction of the radical cation (presumably in the monomeric form) with O2-* generated in the reaction between NMQ* or DCA-* and O2. The fluorescence quenching of both NMQ+ and DCA was also investigated, and it was found that the fluorescence of the two sensitizers is efficiently quenched by both sulfides (rates controlled by diffusion) as well by O2 (kq = 5.9 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) with NMQ+ and 6.8 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) with DCA). It was also found that quenching of 1NMQ* by O2 led to the production of 1O2 in significant yield (PhiDelta = 0.86 in O2-saturated solutions) as already observed for 1DCA*. The steady-state photolysis experiments showed that the NMQ+- and DCA-sensitized photooxygenation of PhSMe afford exclusively the corresponding sulfoxide. A different situation holds for Bu2S: with NMQ+, the formation of Bu2SO was accompanied by that of small amounts of Bu2S2; with DCA, the formation of Bu2SO2 was also observed. It was conclusively shown that with both sensitizers, the photooxygenations of PhSMe occur by an electron transfer (ET) mechanism, as no sulfoxidation was observed in the presence of benzoquinone (BQ), which is a trap for O2-*, NMQ*, and DCA-*. BQ also suppressed the NMQ+-sensitized photooxygenation of Bu2S, but not that sensitized by DCA, indicating that the former is an ET process, whereas the second proceeds via singlet oxygen. In agreement with the latter conclusion, it was also found that the relative rate of the DCA-induced photooxygenation of Bu2S decreases by increasing the initial concentration of the substrate and is slowed by DABCO (an efficient singlet oxygen quencher). To shed light on the actual role of a persulfoxide intermediate also in ET photooxygenations, experiments in the presence of Ph2SO (a trap for the persulfoxide) were carried out. Cooxidation of Ph2SO to form Ph2SO2 was, however, observed only in the DCA-induced photooxygenation of Bu2S, in line with the singlet oxygen mechanism suggested for this reaction. No detectable amounts of Ph2SO2 were formed in the ET photooxygenations of PhSMe with both DCA and NMQ+ and of Bu2S with NMQ+. This finding, coupled with the observation that 1O2 and ET photooxygenations lead to different product distributions, makes it unlikely that, as currently believed, the two processes involve the same intermediate, i.e., a nucleophilic persulfoxide. Furthermore, the cooxidation of Ph2SO observed in the DCA-induced photooxygenation of Bu2S was drastically reduced when the reaction was performed in the presence of 0.5 M biphenyl as a cosensitizer, that is, under conditions where an (indirect) ET mechanism should operate. This observation confirms that a persulfoxide is formed in singlet oxygen but not in ET photosulfoxidations. The latter conclusion was further supported by the observation that also the intermediate formed in the reaction of thianthrene radical cation with KO2, a reaction which mimics step d (Scheme 2) in the ET mechanism of photooxygenation, is an electrophilic species, being able to oxidize Ph2S but not Ph2SO. It is thus proposed that the intermediate involved in ET sulfoxidations is a thiadioxirane, whose properties (it is an electrophilic species) seem more in line with the observed chemistry. Theoretical calculations concerning the reaction of a sulfide radical cation with O2-* provide a rationale for this proposal.     

Photooxidation of alkylbenzenes and cyclohexane by atmospheric oxygen in acetonitrile sensitized by o-phenanthroline

Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, p. 2653, November, 1988.     

Oxorhenium(V) dithiolates catalyze the oxidation by tert-butyl hydroperoxide of sulfoxides and sulfides, including 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene

tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) efficiently converts a wide variety of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones. The method offers the advantage that one product or the other can be obtained in high purity by a modest variation of conditions. The reactions occur smoothly at 25minus sign50 C in chloroform and, to the extent studied, in toluene and methylene chloride. A catalyst is required; the most extensively studied was MeReO(mtp)PPh(3), 1, where mtpH(2) is 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol. Other chelating dithiolate ligands can be used with comparable results. These oxidations were tested for dialkyl, alkylminus signaryl, and diaryl sulfides; thiophenes; and thianthrene. Even the "hard" sulfide, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) was quantitatively oxidized to the dioxide with TBHP:DMDBT 3.0-3.5 and 0.05-3.8 mol % 1. The mechanism was explored in kinetics studies carried out only for methyl tolyl sulfide. The product buildup curve was complex, with an induction period followed by a rapid growth phase. The kinetic data could be modeled adequately but not perfectly by allowing five rate constants to refine. Their values are consistent with the chemical sense of the mechanism.     

Bioinspired polyene cyclization promoted by intermolecular chiral acetal-SnCl4 or chiral N-acetal-TiCl4: investigation of the mechanism and identification of the key intermediates

New strategies using chiral acetal or chiral mixed-acetal in the presence of Lewis acids (SnCl4 or TiCl4) to promote polyene cyclization reaction are described. Acetal-promoted and mixed-acetal-promoted polyene cyclization products are very versatile and can easily be converted into various optically active tricyclic and tetracyclic terpenoids. One of the derivatives of the cyclization products was obtained up to 96% ee after a single recrystallization. In addition, an oxocarbenium intermediate was found to be responsible for the good asymmetric selectivity for this type of reaction.     

竹红菌甲素光敏氧化吲哚类化合物的研究 I: 关于色氨酸光敏氧化机制的初步探讨

本文利用吸收光谱、荧光光谱和闪光光解研究了竹红菌甲素和色氨酸的相互作用.通过猝灭实验、氘代效应和溶剂效应探讨了竹红菌甲素敏化的色氨酸光氧化机制, 证明该反应是以单重态氧过程为主, 并辅以电子转移的机制. 另外, 考察了反应条件对反应的影响, 发现底物浓度、溶解氧浓度、溶剂的性质和溶液的PH值均对反应有很大的影响.     

Photooxidation of water by molecular oxygen: isotope exchange

The phototransfer of isotopic nuclei from water molecules to oxygen as evidence for the direct photooxidation of water by molecular oxygen was detected experimentally. The mechanism and its ecochemical consequences and significance are presented.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of dibenzothiophene in hydrocarbon solution Oxidation by aqueous hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid mixtures

The oxidation of white oil solutions of dibenzothiophene (DBT) by aqueous hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid solutions was studied kinetically at 50–100°. Under these conditions, the rate of DBT oxidation was found to be first order in acetic acid, second order in hydrogen peroxide, and inversely proportional to the water concentration. The activation energy between 50–100° in 64·5% acetic acid was 14 kcal/mole. We have also found that the monoxide is oxidized about 1·4 times faster than DBT. A mechanism consistent with the kinetic data has been postulated. The rate-determining step appears to be attack of a peracetic acid-hydrogen peroxide dimer on the sulfur atom of DBT.     

Kinetics and mechanism of organocatalytic aza-Michael additions: direct observation of enamine intermediates

The imidazoles 1a-g add to the CC-double bond of the iminium ion 2 with rate constants as predicted by the equation log k = s(N)(N + E). Unfavourable proton shifts from the imidazolium unit to the enamine fragment in the adduct 3 account for the failure of imidazoles to take part in iminium-activated aza-Michael additions to enals.     

Two isolated intermediates of the Tröger's base: synthesis and mechanism

By controlling the amount of catalyst 1-methyl-3-(2-(sulfooxy)ethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride, two new intermediates of Tröger's bases (11, 1,6-dimethyl-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1,4-dihydroquinazolin-3-ium tetrafluoroborate and 12, 8-methyl-2,5-bis-(4-methylphenyl)-3,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrimido[5,6,1-ij]quinazoline-2-ium tetrafluoroborate) were simply obtained from the one-pot reaction of aromatic amine and formaldehyde in ionic liquid at ambient temperature. These results support the mechanism for Tröger's base formation supposed by Fernando Coelho and co-workers. However, the crystal structure of 12 and correlative quantum chemistry calculation results are not reconciled with their report.     

Investigation of the mechanism of action of pyrogallol-phloroglucinol transhydroxylase by using putative intermediates

Pyrogallol-phloroglucinol transhydroxylase from Pelobacter acidigallici, a molybdopterin-containing enzyme, catalyzes a key reaction in the anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds. In vitro, the enzymatic reaction requires 1,2,3,5-tetrahydroxybenzene as a cocatalyst and the transhydroxylation occurs without exchange with hydroxy groups from water. To test our previous proposal that the transfer of the hydroxy group occurs via 2,4,6,3',4',5'-hexahydroxydiphenyl ether as an intermediate, we synthesized this compound and investigated its properties. We also describe the synthesis and characterization of 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexahydroxydiphenyl ether. Both compounds could substitute for the cocatalyst in vitro. This indicates that the diphenyl ethers can intrude into the active site and initiate the catalytic cycle. Recently, the X-ray crystal structure of the transhydroxylase (TH) was published16 and it supports the proposed mechanism of hydroxy-group transfer.     

Tetrahedral intermediates 3: The kinetics and mechanism of the breakdown of some hemiorthoesters

The kinetics of the breakdown of hemiorthoesters generated from dialkoxyalkyl acetates or ketene acetals have been investigated. The following compounds were studied: dimethyl hemiorthoformate (1b), diethyl hemiorthoformate (2b), 2-hydroxy-1,3-dioxolane (3b), 2-hydroxy-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1, 3-dioxolane, (4b), 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (5b),and 2-hydroxy-2,4,4,5,5-pentamethyl-1,3-dioxolane (6b).The whole series was studied in aqueous acetonitrile (c_H2O= 8.33 M); 4b, 5b, and 6b were studied in aqueous acetonitrile (c_H2O = 2.22 M) and 4b and 6b in water. Complete pc_H-rate or pH-rate profiles were obtained for each reaction. The mechanisms of the hydronium-ion, hydroxide-ion and “water” catalysed reactions are discussed and compared to those for the breakdown of hemiacetals and the hydrolysis of orthoesters.     

Molecular mechanism of drug photosensitization. Part 3. Photohemolysis sensitized by diflunisal.

The lysis of red blood cells photosensitized by diflunisal (DFN) was investigated. Photohemolysis is inhibited by butylated hydroxyanisole and reduced glutathione, but is unaffected by mannitol and enhanced by sodium azide; the presence of oxygen markedly reduces the lysis which is accelerated in anaerobic conditions. These results contrast with those expected for a photodynamic mechanism. High lytic activity is observed for pre-irradiated solutions, mainly under anaerobic conditions. Direct irradiation of DFN in buffer solution at pH 7.4 leads to the formation, under anaerobic conditions, of compound 2'-(2',4'-difluoro-3'-carboxy-[1',1'-biphenyl]-4'-oxy)-4'- fluoro-4-hydroxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid (PhP), whereas under aerobic conditions formation of PhP is accompanied by unidentified photo-oxidation products; only compound PhP displays strong lytic activity. The overall results for DFN-photosensitized hemolysis suggest a mechanism involving a concerted action of free radicals, superoxide anion, singlet oxygen and sensitizer photoproducts.     

Determination of chloride ion by electrochemiluminescence and investigation of the mechanism

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of luminol in aqueous alkaline solution was studied.Trace amounts of chloride showed significant effect on the efficiency of light emission of luminol as a posi-tive trigonometrical wave pulse was exerted on the solution. The detection limit for the chloride is5.0 ×10~(-6) mol/L and the linear calibration range extends up to 1.0 ×10~(-2) mol/L; the relative standarddeviation for 1.0 ×10~(-5) mol / L chloride is 5%. The influencing factors for chloride determination arealso discussed. The possible mechanism for the electrochemiluminescence reaction may be due to theoxidation of chloride ion in the solution to ClO~-, and the latter acts on luminol and then gives outluminescence. The method has been applied to determine the total chloride in tap water with satisfactoryresults.     

Catalytic mechanism of S-ribosylhomocysteinase (LuxS): direct observation of ketone intermediates by 13C NMR spectroscopy

S-Ribosylhomocysteinase (LuxS) catalyzes the cleavage of the thioether linkage of S-ribosylhomocysteine (SRH) to produce l-homocysteine and 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DHPD). This is a key step in the biosynthetic pathway of the type II autoinducer (AI-2) in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Previous studies demonstrated that LuxS contains a catalytically essential Fe2+ ion. The catalytic mechanism of LuxS was investigated using 2- and 3-13C-labeled SRH as substrate and 13C NMR spectroscopy. These studies revealed the presence of 2- and 3-keto intermediates in the catalytic pathway. The 2-keto intermediate was chemically synthesized, and its chemical and kinetic competence was demonstrated. The results support a catalytic mechanism in which the metal ion catalyzes an internal redox reaction, shifting the carbonyl group from the C-1 position to the C-3 position. Subsequent beta-elimination at the C-4 and C-5 positions releases homocysteine as a free thiol. The results also suggest that Cys-84 and Glu-57 are the possible general acids/bases for proton transfer during catalysis and that the keto intermediates are released from the enzyme active site before rebinding and completion of the reaction.     

A possible mechanism of the photooxidation of water sensitized by chlorophyll adsorbed at the interface

A four-electron mechanism is proposed for the photooxidation of water in a system of two immiscible liquids containing chlorophyll a, a water-soluble electron acceptor, a hydrophobic proton acceptor, and a buffer for maintaining optimal proton concentration. A hydrated chlorophyll oligomer, which is adsorbed at the interface and closely packed so that the electron clouds of porphyrin rings overlap, becomes excited upon illumination; an oxidized form of the pigment and a reduced form of the electron acceptor are formed. In the reaction centre, water is coordinatively bound to the magnesium of one of the chlorophyll molecules, by means of hydrogen bonds to a carboxyl group of another chlorophyll molecule and to a proton acceptor (the pentachlorophenyl anion) required in a model system for the protection of chlorophyll against pheophytinization. The oxidized chlorophyll oligomer, consisting of two hydrated dimers or a tetramer, can be responsible for the dark stage: the four-electron oxidation of water to molecular oxygen. Experimental data in favour of this mechanism are presented.     

Photooxidation and reproduction of pentacene derivatives substituted by aromatic groups

Pentacene derivatives substituted by aromatic groups at the 6,13-positions were prepared and investigated for their electronic properties and the photoaddition reaction with oxygen. The pentacene derivatives substituted by 2-thienyl and phenyl groups reacted with oxygen in solution under light and afforded their endoperoxides. These first-order kinetic constants were evaluated to be 1.5×10⁻³ s⁻¹ and 2.7×10⁻³ s⁻¹. The pentacene derivative with pentafluorophenyl groups was relatively stable in solution. The thermolysis and photolysis of the endoperoxide with 2-thienyl groups in solution afforded the pentacene derivative with yields of 30 and 44%, respectively. In addition, UV irradiation (254 nm) of the thin film of the endoperoxide was studied, which indicated the reproduction of the pentacene derivative.     

Photooxidation of polystyrene by O2 and N2O

Strips of polystyrene held in a flowing O₂ or N₂O atmosphere have been exposed to 240-600 nm radiation. The extent of photooxidation has been followed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Although N₂O is a more reactive gas than O₂, it produces a less oxidized polymer surface. This surprising observation can be correlated to the photochemistry occurring at the gas/polystyrene interface. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Photooxidation of chloride by oxide minerals: implications for perchlorate on Mars

We show that highly oxidizing valence band holes, produced by ultraviolet (UV) illumination of naturally occurring semiconducting minerals, are capable of oxidizing chloride ion to perchlorate in aqueous solutions at higher rates than other known natural perchlorate production processes. Our results support an alternative to atmospheric reactions leading to the formation of high concentrations of perchlorate on Mars.