Reactivity of the insecticide chlorpyrifos‐methyl toward hydroxyl and perhydroxyl ion. Effect of cyclodextrins

The reactivity of Chlorpyrifos‐Methyl ( 1 ) toward hydroxyl ion and the α‐nucleophile, perhydroxyl ion was investigated in aqueous basic media. The hydrolysis of 1 was studied at 25 °C in water containing 10% ACN or 7% 1,4‐dioxane at NaOH concentrations between 0.01 and 0.6 M ; the second‐order rate constant is 1.88 × 10^?2 M ^?1 s^?1 in 10% ACN and 1.70 × 10^?2 M ^?1 s^?1 in 7% 1,4‐dioxane. The reaction with H₂O₂ was studied in a pH range from 9.14 to 12.40 in 7% 1,4‐dioxane/H₂O; the second‐order rate constant for the reaction of HOO^? ion is 7.9 M ^?1 s^?1 whereas neutral H₂O₂ does not compete as nucleophile. In all cases quantitative formation of 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol ( 3 ) was observed indicating an S_N2(P) pathway. The hydrolysis reaction is inhibited by α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin showing saturation kinetics; the greater inhibition is produced by γ‐cyclodextrin. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide is weakly inhibited by α‐ and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), whereas γ‐cyclodextrin produces a greater inhibition and saturation kinetics. The kinetic data obtained in the presence of β‐ or γ‐cyclodextrin for the reaction with hydroxyl or perhydroxyl ion indicate that the main reaction pathway for the cyclodextrin‐mediated reaction is the reaction of HO^? or HOO^? ion with the substrate complexed with the anion of the cyclodextrin. The inhibition is attributed to the inclusion of the substrate with the reaction center far from the ionized secondary OH groups of the cyclodextrin and protected from external attack of the nucleophile. Sucrose also inhibits the hydrolysis reaction but the effect is independent of its concentration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas‐phase oxidation of CH2 = C(CH3)CH2Cl initiated by OH radicals and Cl atoms: kinetics and fate of the alcoxy radical formed

Relative kinetics of the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with 3‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐1‐propene has been studied for the first time at 298 K and 1 atm by GC‐FID. Rate coefficients are found to be (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1): k₁ (OH + CH₂ = C(CH₃)CH₂Cl) = (3.23 ± 0.35) × 10^?11, k₂ (Cl + CH₂ = C(CH₃)CH₂Cl) = (2.10 ± 0.78) × 10^?10 with uncertainties representing ± 2σ. Product identification under atmospheric conditions was performed by solid phase microextraction/GC‐MS for OH reaction. Chloropropanone was identified as the main degradation product in accordance with the decomposition of the 1,2‐hydroxy alcoxy radical formed. Additionally, reactivity trends and atmospheric implications are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evidence for a possible role of 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid as an antioxidant

The reactions of 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid (3‐OHAA) with N₃^?, NO₂^?, NO^?, CCl₃O₂^? , and OH^? radicals were examined using a pulse radiolysis technique mainly at pH 7. The bimolecular electron transfer from secondary one‐electron oxidants results in the formation of anilino radical (λ_max ? 380 nm). The rate constant for the reaction of N₃^? radical with 3‐OHAA at pH 7 was found to be 6.3 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1. It was observed that the 3‐OHAA reacts with oxygen centered radicals. The repair rate constant for the electron transfer reaction from 3‐OHAA to guanosine radical and chlorpromazine cation radical was also examined using a pulse radiolysis technique. Kinetic studies indicate that 3‐OHAA may act as an antioxidant to repair free‐radical damage to above mentioned biologically important compounds. The rate constants of electron transfer from the 3‐OHAA to the guanosine and chlorpromazine radicals were determined. The one‐electron reduction potential for 3‐OHAA radical was found to be 0.53 ± 0.06 V versus NHE. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Homo‐Diels–Alder reaction of a very inactive diene,bicyclo[2,2,1]hepta‐2,5‐diene,with the most active dienophile, 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐3,5‐dione. Solvent,temperature, and high pressure influence on the reaction rate

Solvent, temperature, and high pressure influence on the rate constant of homo‐Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions of the very active hetero‐dienophile, 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐3,5‐dione (1), with the very inactive unconjugated diene, bicyclo[2,2,1]hepta‐2,5‐diene (2), and of 1 with some substituted anthracenes have been studied. The rate constants change amounts to about seven orders of magnitude: from 3.95^.10^?3 for reaction (1+2) to 12200 L mol^?1 s^?1 for reaction of 1 with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene (4e) in toluene solution at 298 K. A comparison of the reactivity (ln k₂) and the heat of reactions (?_r‐nH) of maleic anhydride, tetracyanoethylene and of 1 with several dienes has been performed. The heat of reaction (1+2) is ?218 ± 2 kJ mol^?1, of 1 with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene ?117.8 ± 0.7 kJ mol^?1, and of 1 with 9,10‐dimethoxyanthracene ?91.6 ±0.2 kJ mol^?1. From these data, it follows that the exothermicity of reaction (1+2) is higher than that with 1,3‐butadiene. However, the heat of reaction of 9,10‐dimethylanthracene with 1 (?117.8 kJ mol^?1) is nearly the same as that found for the reaction with the structural C=C counterpart, N‐phenylmaleimide (?117.0 kJ mol^?1). Since the energy of the N=N bond is considerably lower (418 kJ/bond) than that of the C=C bond (611 kJ/bond), it was proposed that this difference in the bond energy can generate a lower barrier of activation in the Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction with 1. Linear correlation (R = 0.94) of the solvent effect on the rate constants of reaction (1+2) and on the heat of solution of 1 has been observed. The ratio of the volume of activation (?V^≠) and the volume of reaction (?V_r‐n) of the homo‐Diels–Alder reaction (1+2) is considered as “normal”: ?V^≠/?V_r‐n = ?25.1/?30.95 = 0.81. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steric effects on the mechanism of reaction of nucleophilic substitution of β‐substituted alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones with four secondary amines

The kinetics of the reaction of β‐substituted β‐alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones R¹O‐CR²?CH‐COCF₃ ( 1a – e ) [( 1a ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?H; ( 1b ), R¹?R²?CH₃; ( 1c ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?C₆H₅; ( 1d ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?V^?pNO₂C₆H₄; ( 1e ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?C(CH₃)₃] with four aliphatic amines ( 2a – d ) [( 2a ), (C₂H₅)₂NH; ( 2b ), (i‐C₃H₇)₂NH; ( 2c ), (CH₂)₅NH; ( 2d ), O(CH₂CH₂)₂NH] was studied in two aprotic solvents, hexane and acetonitrile. The least reactive stereoisomeric form of ( 1a – d ) was the most populated ( E‐s‐Z‐o‐Z ) form, whereas in ( 1e ), the more reactive form ( Z‐s‐Z‐o‐Z ) dominated. The reactions studied proceeded via common transition state formation whose decomposition occurred by ‘uncatalyzed’ and/or ‘catalyzed’ route. Shielding of the reaction centre by bulky β‐substituents lowered abruptly both k′ (‘uncatalyzed’ rate constant) and k″ (‘catalyzed’ rate constant) of this reaction. Bulky amines reduced k″ to a greater extent than k′ as a result of an additional steric retardation to the approach of the bulky amine to its ammonium ion in the transition state. An increase in the electron‐withdrawing ability of the β‐substituent increased ‘uncatalyzed’ k′ due to the acceleration of the initial nucleophile attack (k₁) and ‘uncatalyzed’ decomposition of transition state (k₂) via promoting electrophilic assistance (through transition state 8 ). The amine basicity determined the route of the reaction: the higher amine basicity, the higher k₃/k₂ ratio (a measure of the ‘catalyzed’ route contribution as compared to the ‘uncatalyzed’ process) was. ‘Uncatalyzed’ route predominated for all reactions; however in polar acetonitrile the contribution of the ‘catalyzed’ route was significant for amines with high pK_a and small bulk. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Joint theoretical and experimental study of the gas‐phase elimination kinetics of tert‐butyl ester of carbamic,N, N‐dimethylcarbamic,N‐hydroxycarbamic acids and 1‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐imidazole

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of the title compounds were carried out in a static reaction system and seasoned with allyl bromide. The working temperature and pressure ranges were 200–280 °C and 22–201.5 Torr, respectively. The reactions are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law. These substrates produce isobutene and corresponding carbamic acid in the rate‐determining step. The unstable carbamic acid intermediate rapidly decarboxylates through a four‐membered cyclic transition state (TS) to give the corresponding organic nitrogen compound. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients is expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: for tert‐butyl carbamate logk₁ (s^?1) = (13.02 ± 0.46) – (161.6 ± 4.7) kJ/mol(2.303 RT)^?1, for tert‐butyl N‐hydroxycarbamate logk₁ (s^?1) = (12.52 ± 0.11) – (147.8 ± 1.1) kJ/mol(2.303 RT)^?1, and for 1‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐imidazole logk₁ (s^?1) = (11.63 ± 0.21)–(134.9 ± 2.0) kJ/mol(2.303 RT)^?1. Theoretical studies of these elimination were performed at Møller–Plesset MP2/6‐31G and DFT B3LYP/6‐31G(d), B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) levels of theory. The calculated bond orders, NBO charges, and synchronicity (Sy) indicate that these reactions are concerted, slightly asynchronous, and proceed through a six‐membered cyclic TS type. Results for estimated kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are discussed in terms of the proposed reaction mechanism and TS structure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of N‐Substitution on Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Behavior of 2‐(2‐Nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole Derivatives

Abstract

The synthesis of 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (1), 1‐benzoyl‐2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1H ‐benzimidazole (2), and 1‐acetyl‐2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (3) is reported. Stable radical anions (1 ^·?, 2 ^·?, and 3 ^·?) were generated by chemical reduction in DMSO and studied by ESR spectroscopy. The interpretation of the ESR spectra was done by means of computational simulation process. Hyperfine coupling constants were assigned by comparison with related compounds, and on the basis of calculation based on SCF INDO MO method in the unrestricted Hartree–Fock scheme.     

Reactivity of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents. Part 4: a kinetic study of group transfer selectivity in C?C coupling of mixed diorganocuprates

The competitive rate data and Taft relationships for the coupling of bromomagnesium n‐butyl (substituted phenyl) cuprates with alkyl bromides show that selective n‐butyl transfer can be explained by an oxidative addition mechanism. Taft reaction constants also show that the residual group FG‐C₆H₄ in the mixed cuprate n‐Bu(FG‐C₆H₄)CuMgBr changes the ability of the copper nucleophile to react with the electrophile RBr. These results provide support for the commonly accepted hypothesis regarding the dependence of the R¹ group transfer ability on the strength of R²? Cu bond in reactions of R¹R²CuMgBr reagents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved efficiencies of hybrid organic light‐emitting diodes using efficient electron injection layer

Hybrid organic‐inorganic light‐emitting diodes were developed with pristine ZnO (2.0 wt%) and Cu‐doped ZnO (2.0 wt%) as electron injection layer and iridium(III)‐bis‐2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole (acetylacetonate) [Ir(fpnpi)₂ (acac)] as green emissive layer (521 nm). The pristine ZnO and Cu‐doped ZnO are deposited at indium tin oxide cathode and emissive layer interface. The electroluminescent performances increased by electron injection layer–Cu‐doped ZnO compared with ZnO‐based device because Cu‐doped ZnO injects electron efficiently result in balanced h⁺ ? e^? recombination in emissive layer than ZnO‐based device. The Cu‐doped ZnO (2.0 %) device shows luminance (L) of 10 982 cd/m² at 23.0 V (ZnO, 1450 cd/m² at 23.0 V).     

Cu(II)‐catalyzed oxidation of thiols by superoxide ligated to CoIII2

Copper(II) dramatically catalyzes the oxidation of thiols by a superoxide bridging two Co^III ions. The catalyzed path overwhelmingly dominates over the uncatalysed path and is first order in the superoxo complex concentration. The first‐order rate constants show a first‐order dependence in [Cu²⁺], a second‐order dependence in [thiol] and linearly varies with [H⁺]^?3. On the basis of observed kinetics reported here, it is proposed that Cu(II) reacts with two thiol molecules to form a Cu^II(thiol)₂ complex, an electron is transferred from one ligated thiol to the Cu^II center to form Cu^I(thiol) and a thiyl radical. The copper(I)‐thiol complex is oxidized by the conjugate base of the title complex to regenerate Cu^II(thiol). A Cu^II/I catalytic cycle is thus believed to be responsible for the observed catalysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrosation of dialkylhydroxylamines,and computational and NMR investigations of the interconversion of conformational isomers of N‐nitroso‐dimethylhydroxylamine

The effect of acidity upon the rate of nitrosation of N‐benzyl,O‐methylhydroxylamine ( 3 ) in 1:1 (v/v) H₂O/MeOH at 25 °C has been investigated. The pseudo‐first‐order rate constant (k_obs) for loss of HNO₂ as the limiting reagent decreases as [H₃O⁺] increases. This is compatible with two parallel reaction channels (Scheme 2 ). One involves the direct reaction of the free hydroxylamine with HNO₂ (k₁ = 1.4 × 10² dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, 25 °C) and the other involves the reaction of the free hydroxylamine with NO⁺ (k₂ = 5.9 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1). In contrast, there is only a very slight increase in k_obs with increasing [H₃O⁺] for nitrosation of N,O‐dimethylhydroxylamine ( 4 ) in dilute aqueous solution at 25 °C to give N‐nitroso‐dimethylhydroxylamine, 5 . This also fits a two‐channel mechanism (Scheme 3 ). Again, one involves the nitrosation of the free base by NO⁺ (k₂ = 8 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, 25 °C) but the other channel now involves catalysis by chloride (k₃ = 1.3 × 10⁸ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1). Arising from these results, we propose an estimate of pK_a ～ ?5 for protonated nitrous acid, (O = N? OH), which is appreciably different from the literature value of +1.7. The interconversion of cis and trans conformational isomers of 5 has been investigated by temperature‐dependent NMR spectroscopy in CDCl₃, methanol‐d₄, toluene‐d₈ and dimethyl sulfoxide‐d₆. Enthalpies and entropies of reaction and of activation have been determined and compared with computational values obtained at the B3LYP/6‐31G* level of theory. The cis form is slightly more stable at normal temperatures and no solvent effects upon the thermodynamics or kinetics of the conformational equilibrium were predicted computationally or detected experimentally. In addition, key geometric parameters and dipole moments have been calculated for the cis and trans forms, and for the lowest energy transition structure for their interconversion, in the gas phase and in chloroform. These results indicate electronic delocalisation in the ground states of 5 which is lost in the transition structure for their interconversion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical investigations on 4,4′,5,5′‐tetranitro‐2,2′‐1H,1′H‐2,2′‐biimidazole derivatives as potential nitrogen‐rich high energy materials

The ―NH₂, ―NO₂, ―NHNO₂, ―C(NO₂)₃ and ―CF(NO₂)₂ substitution derivatives of 4,4′,5,5′‐tetranitro‐2,2′‐1H,1′H‐2,2′‐biimidazole were studied at B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level of density functional theory. The crystal structures were obtained by molecular mechanics (MM) methods. Detonation properties were evaluated using Kamlet–Jacobs equations based on the calculated density and heat of formation. The thermal stability of the title compounds was investigated via the energy gaps (?E_{LUMO ? HOMO}) predicted. Results show that molecules T5 (D = 10.85 km·s^?1, P = 57.94 GPa) and T6 (D = 9.22 km·s^?1, P = 39.21 GPa) with zero or positive oxygen balance are excellent candidates for high energy density oxidizers (HEDOs). All of them appear to be potential explosives compared with the famous ones, octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazocane (HMX, D = 8.96 km·s^?1, P = 35.96 GPa) and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20, D = 9.38 km·s^?1, P = 42.00 GPa). In addition, bond dissociation energy calculation indicates that T5 and T6 are also the most thermally stable ones among the title compounds. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alkane oxidation by the system ‘tert‐butyl hydroperoxide–[Mn2L2O3][PF6]2 (L = 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane)–carboxylic acid’

The kinetics of cyclohexane (CyH) oxygenation with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in acetonitrile at 50 °C catalysed by a dinuclear manganese(IV) complex 1 containing 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane and co‐catalysed by oxalic acid have been studied. It has been shown that an active form of the catalyst (mixed‐valent dimeric species ‘Mn^IIIMn^IV’) is generated only in the interaction between complex 1 and TBHP and oxalic acid in the presence of water. The formation of this active form is assumed to be due to the hydrolysis of the Mn? O? Mn bonds in starting compound 1 and reduction of one Mn^IV to Mn^III. A species which induces the CyH oxidation is radical tert‐BuO ^. generated by the decomposition of a monoperoxo derivative of the active form. The constants of the equilibrium formation and the decomposition of the intermediate adduct between TBHP and 1 have been measured: K = 7.4 mol^?1 dm³ and k = 8.4 × 10^?2 s^?1, respectively, at [H₂O] = 1.5 mol dm^?3 and [oxalic acid] = 10^?2 mol dm^?3. The constant ratio for reactions of the monomolecular decomposition of tert‐butoxy radical (tert‐BuO ^. → CH₃COCH₃ + CH) and its interaction with the CyH (tert‐BuO ^. + CyH → tert‐BuOH + Cy ^. ) was calculated: 0.26 mol dm^?3. One of the reasons why oxalic acid accelerates the oxidation is due to the formation of an adduct between oxalic acid and 1 (K ≈ 10³ mol^?1 dm³). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SUT‐NANOTEC‐SLRI beamline for X‐ray absorption spectroscopy

The SUT‐NANOTEC‐SLRI beamline was constructed in 2012 as the flagship of the SUT‐NANOTEC‐SLRI Joint Research Facility for Synchrotron Utilization, co‐established by Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) and Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI). It is an intermediate‐energy X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) beamline at SLRI. The beamline delivers an unfocused monochromatic X‐ray beam of tunable photon energy (1.25–10 keV). The maximum normal incident beam size is 13 mm (width) × 1 mm (height) with a photon flux of 3 × 10⁸ to 2 × 10¹⁰ photons s^?1 (100 mA)^?1 varying across photon energies. Details of the beamline and XAS instrumentation are described. To demonstrate the beamline performance, K‐edge XANES spectra of MgO, Al₂O₃, S₈, FeS, FeSO₄, Cu, Cu₂O and CuO, and EXAFS spectra of Cu and CuO are presented.     

Nucleophilic reactivity of thiolate, hydroxide and phenolate ions towards a model O-arylated diazeniumdiolate prodrug in aqueous and cationic surfactant media

The kinetics of aromatic nucleophilic substitution of the nitric oxide‐generating diazeniumdiolate ion, DEA/NO, by thiols (L ‐glutathione, L ‐cysteine, DL ‐homocysteine, 1‐propanethiol, 2‐mercaptoethanol, and sodium thioglycolate) from the prodrug, DNP‐DEA/NO, has been examined in aqueous solution and in solutions of cationic DOTAP vesicles. Second‐order rate constants in buffered aqueous solutions (k_RS‐ = 3.48–30.9 M^?1 s^?1; 30 °C) gave a linear Brønsted plot (β_nuc = 0.414 ± 0.068) consistent with the rate‐limiting S_NAr nucleophilic attack by thiolate ions. Cationic DOTAP vesicles catalyze the thiolysis reactions with rate enhancements between 11 and 486‐fold in Tris‐HCl buffered solutions at pH 7.4. The maximum rate increase was obtained with thioglycolate ion. Thiolysis data are compared to data for nucleophilic displacement by phenolate (k_PhO‐ = 0.114 M^?1 s^?1) and hydroxide (k_OH‐ = 1.82 × 10^?2 M^?1 s^?1, 37 °C) ions. The base hydrolysis reaction is accelerated by CTAB micelles and DODAC vesicles, with the vesicles being ca 3‐fold more effective as catalysts. Analysis of the data using pseudo‐phase ion‐exchange (PIE) formalism implies that the rate enhancement of the thiolysis and base hydrolysis reactions is primarily due to reactant concentration in the surfactant pseudo‐phase. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The gas phase oxidation of HCOOH by Cl and NH2 radicals. Proton coupled electron transfer versus hydrogen atom transfer*

ABSTRACT

The reaction of formic acid (HCOOH) with chlorine atom and amidogen radical (NH₂) have been investigated using high level theoretical methods such BH&HLYP, MP2, QCISD, and CCSD(T) with the 6–311?+?G(2df,2p), aug-cc-pVTZ, aug-cc-pVQZ and extrapolation to CBS basis sets. The abstraction of the acidic and formyl hydrogen atoms of the acid by the two radicals has been considered, and the different reactions proceed either by a proton coupled electron transfer (pcet) and hydrogen atom transfer (hat) mechanisms. Our calculated rate constant at 298?K for the reaction with Cl is 1.14?×?10^?13?cm³?molecule^?1?s^?1 in good agreement with the experimental value 1.8?±?0.12/2.0?×?10^?13?cm³?molecule^?1?s^?1 and the reaction proceeds exclusively by abstraction of the formyl hydrogen atom, via hat mechanism, producing HOCO+ClH. The calculated rate constant, at 298?K, for the reaction with NH₂ is 1.71?×?10^?15?cm³?molecule^?1?s^?1, and the reaction goes through the abstraction of the acidic hydrogen atom, via a pcet mechanism, leading to the formation of HCOO+NH₃.     

Dimer radical cation of 4‐thiouracil: a pulse radiolysis and theoretical study

Pulse radiolysis with optical absorption detection has been used to study the reactions of hydroxyl radical (OH^?) with 4‐thiouracil (4TU) in aqueous medium. The transient absorption spectrum for the reaction of OH^? with 4TU is characterized by λ_max 460 nm at pH 7. A second‐order rate constant k_(4TU+OH) of 1.7 × 10¹⁰ M^?1 s^?1 is determined via competition kinetics method. The transient is envisaged as a dimer radical cation [4TU]₂^?+, formed via the reaction of an initially formed radical cation [4TU]^?+ with another 4TU. The formation constant of [4TU]₂^?+ is 1.8 × 10⁴ M^?1. The reactions of dibromine radical ion (Br₂^??) at pH 7, dichlorine radical ion (Cl₂^??) at pH 1, and azide radical (N₃^?) at pH 7 with 4TU have also produced transient with λ_max 460 nm. Density functional theory (DFT) studies at BHandHLYP/6–311 + G(d,p) level in aqueous phase showed that [4TU]₂^?+ is characterized by a two‐centerthree electron (2c‐3e) [?S∴S?] bond. The interaction energy of [?S∴S?] bond in [4TU]₂^?+ is ?13.01 kcal mol^?1. The predicted λ_max 457 nm by using the time‐dependent DFT method for [4TU]₂^?+ is in agreement with experimental λ_max. Theoretical calculations also predicted that compared with [4TU]₂^?+, 4‐thiouridine dimer is more stable, whereas 4‐thiothymine dimer is less stable. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactivity of acrylamide as an alkylating agent: a kinetic approach

Acrylamide (AA), an industrially produced reactive molecule, is used worldwide. The US EPA and IARC have classified this molecule as a probable human carcinogen. In this work, the alkylating potential of AA was investigated kinetically. The conclusions drawn are as follows: (i) AA shows alkylating ability on the nucleophile 4‐(p‐nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP), a trap for alkylating agents with nucleophilic characteristics similar to those of DNA bases; (ii) the rate equation for the NBP–AA adduct formation is as follows: ; (ii) the thermoentropic term, TΔ^?S^θ, is the main term responsible for the lower reactivity of AA as an alkylating agent; (iii) the value of the Gibbs energy of activation, Δ^?G^θ, for the NBP alkylation reaction by AA is consistent with the conclusions of epidemiologic studies concerning the carcinogenicity of this substance; (iv) the results obtained here may be useful when working with hydrophilic/lipophilic media, such as in Food Science, since the dielectric constant of the medium, where alkylation occurs, influences the reaction rate, and alkylation can be inhibited by lowering the dielectric constant of the medium. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rate coefficients for the gas-phase reaction of OH radical with α-pinene: an experimental and computational study

The rate coefficient for the gas-phase reaction of OH radical with α-pinene was measured at 298 K using relative rate methods, with propylene as a reference compound. The ratio of the rate coefficient for the reaction of OH radicals with α-pinene to that of with OH radicals with propylene was measured to be 1.77 ± 0.21. Considering the absolute value of the rate coefficient of the reaction of OH radicals with propylene as (3.01 ± 0.42)×10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, the rate coefficient for the reaction of OH radicals with α-pinene was determined to be (5.33 ± 0.79)×10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. To gain a deeper insight into the reaction mechanism, theoretical calculations were also carried out on this reaction. The rate coefficient of OH radical with α-pinene was calculated using canonical variational transition state theory with small-curvature tunnelling. The kinetics data obtained over the temperature range of 200–400 K were used to derive the Arrhenius expression: k(T) = 3.8×10^?28 T^5.2 exp[2897/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The OH-driven atmospheric lifetime (τ) and ozone formation potential of α-pinene were calculated and reported in this work.     

Hidden chemistry in phenoxyl radical (C6H5O•) coupling reaction mechanism revealed

A novel hidden reaction of the phenoxyl radical (C₆H₅O^?) with a specific daughter is found to significantly alter its hitherto accepted coupling reactions' scheme. Transient characterizations and mechanistic evaluations in highly acidic to strongly alkaline aqueous medium reveal this concurrent reaction competing favorably in nanosecond–microsecond time‐scale with the five distinct C₆H₅O^? + C₆H₅O^? reactions, which produce various phenolic end‐products as reported earlier (M. Ye and R. H. Schuler, J. Phys. Chem. 1989, 93, 1898). Presently, only the symmetric 4,4′‐dioxo transient precursor, O?C₆H₅? H₅C₆?O that leads to the stable 4,4′‐biphenol product, gets partially oxidized by a fraction of remaining C₆H₅O^?. The resulting secondary transient ^?C₁₂H₉O₂ radical is generated at diffusion‐controlled rate, k > 5.0 × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1, and follows an independent chemistry. Consequently, when the previously reported five coupled end product distribution ratios were appropriately updated, the respective fractional values revealed a closer match for the symmetric 2,2′‐ and 4,4′‐biphenols with their suggested coupling reaction branching probabilities based on the atomic spin‐density distributions in the C₆H₅O^? radical (P. Neta, R. W. Fessenden, J. Phys. Chem., 1974, 78, 523). Results also suggest that in the remaining fraction, differential solvation in aqueous medium of various orientation‐related encounter complexes (C₆H₅O…C₆H₅O) formed during coupling favors rearrangement only toward 2,4′‐biphenolic product, at the cost of 2‐ and 4‐phenoxyphenolic species. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.