Hypochlorite-mediated fragmentation of hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfates, and related N-acetyl glycosamines: evidence for chloramide intermediates, free radical transfer reactions, and site-specific fragmentation

Myeloperoxidase released from activated phagocytes reacts with H(2)O(2) in the presence of chloride ions to give hypochlorous acid. This oxidant has been implicated in the fragmentation of glycosaminoglycans, such as hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfates. In this study it is shown that reaction of HOCl with glycosaminoglycans and model compounds yields chloramides derived from the N-acetyl function of the glycosamine rings. The results of EPR spin trapping and product studies are consistent with the formation of amidyl radicals from these chloramides via both metal ion-dependent and -independent processes. In the case of glycosaminoglycan-derived amidyl radicals, evidence has been obtained in studies with model glycosides that these radicals undergo rapid intramolecular abstraction reactions to give carbon-centered radicals at C-2 on the N-acetyl glycosamine rings (via a 1,2-hydrogen atom shift) and at C-4 on the neighboring uronic acid residues (via 1,5-hydrogen atom shifts). The C-4 carbon-centered radicals, and analogous species derived from model glycosides, undergo pH-independent beta-scission reactions that result in glycosidic bond cleavage. With N-acetyl glucosamine C-1 alkyl glycosides, product formation via this mechanism is near quantitative with respect to chloramide loss. Analogous reactions with the glycosaminoglycans result in selective fragmentation at disaccharide intervals, as evidenced by the formation of "ladders" on gels; this selectivity is less marked under atmospheric oxygen concentrations than under anoxic conditions, due to competing peroxyl radical reactions. As the extracellular matrix plays a key role in mediating cell adhesion, growth, activation, and signaling, such HOCl-mediated glycosaminoglycan fragmentation may play a key role in disease progression and resolution, with the resulting fragments modulating the magnitude and quality of the immune response in inflammatory conditions.     

Oxidation of di- and tripeptides of tyrosine and valine mediated by singlet molecular oxygen, phosphate radicals and sulfate radicals.

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of tyrosine (Tyr) and valine (Val) di- and tripeptides (Tyr-Val, Val-Tyr and Val-Tyr-Val) mediated by singlet molecular oxygen [O(2)((1)Delta(g))], phosphate (HPO(4)(*-) and PO(4)(*2-)) and sulfate (SO(4)(*-)) radicals was studied, employing time-resolved O(2)((1)Delta(g)) phosphorescence detection, polarographic determination of dissolved oxygen and flash photolysis. All the substrates were highly photooxidizable through a O(2)((1)Delta(g))-mediated mechanism. Calculated quotients between the overall and reactive rate constants for the quenching of O(2)((1)Delta(g)) by Tyr-derivatives (k(t)/k(r) values, accounting for the efficiency of the effective photooxidation) were 1.3 for Tyr, 1 for Tyr-Val, 2.8 for Val-Tyr and 1.5 for Val-Tyr-Val. The effect of pH on the kinetics of the photooxidative process confirms that the presence of the dissociated phenolate group of Tyr clearly dominates the O(2)((1)Delta(g)) quenching process. Products analysis by LC-MS indicates that the photooxidation of Tyr di- and tripeptides proceeds with the breakage of peptide bonds. The information obtained from the evolution of primary amino groups upon photosensitized irradiation is in concordance with these results. Absolute rate constants for the reactions of phosphate radicals (HPO(4)(*-) and PO(4)(*2-), generated by photolysis of the P(2)O(8)(4-) at different pH) and sulfate radicals (SO(4)(*-), produced by photolysis of the S(2)O(8)(2-)) with Tyr peptides indicate that for all the substrates, the observed tendency in the rate constants is: SO(4)(*-) > or = HPO(4)(*-) > or = PO(4)(*2-). Formation of the phenoxyl radical of tyrosine was detected as an intermediate involved in the oxidation of tyrosine by HPO(4)(*-).     

High-pressure pulse-radiolysis study of the formation and decomposition of complexes with iron-carbon sigma bonds: mechanistic comparison for different metal centers

Volumes of activation for the formation and homolysis of the transient complexes (hedta)Fe(III)-CO(2)(2-) and (hedta)Fe(III)-CH(3)(-) (HOCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)CO(2-))CH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)CO(2-))(2) = hedta) were determined using high-pressure pulse-radiolysis techniques. A comparison of the results with those for analogous complexes with other central transition-metal cations (M(n+)) and ligands (L) points out that (i) the reaction of M(n)L(m) with aliphatic radicals (R(*)) proceeds via an interchange ligand substitution mechanism, i.e. M(n)L(m) + R(*) --> L(m-1)M(n+1)-R + L, (ii) the homolysis of the metal-carbon bonds naturally follows the same mechanism, and (iii) the volume of activation for the homolysis reaction depends strongly on the nature of the central cation, i.e. larger for M(n+1) = Cr(III), Co(III), Ni(III) and smaller for Fe(III). The volume of activation for the reaction (hedta)Fe(III)-CO(2)(2-) + CO(2)(*-) + 2H(+) --> Fe(II)(hedta)(H(2)O)(-) + CO + CO(2) was measured, and the results enable a tentative proposal for the nature of the transition state of this interesting reaction.     

自旋标记荧光探针表征生物活性分子的自由基损伤

生命过程中产生的经基自由基(^˙OH)已引起广泛关注.目前,对于^˙OH的研究主要集中在直接对^˙OH进行定量表征^[1~3]和问接检测^˙OH诱导损伤生物大分了的损伤产物.^˙OH诱导损伤生物大分了,能够产生大量的碳中心自由基^[4,5].     

Photoredox chemistry of AOT: electron transfer and hydrogen abstraction in microemulsions involving the surfactant

Time-resolved magnetic resonance experiments (TREPR and CIDNP) are used to investigate previously unobserved redox chemistry of the surfactant dioctyl sulfosuccinate ester (AOT) using the photoexcited triplet state of anthraquinone 2,6-disulfonate (3AQDS*). Several different free radicals resulting from two independent oxidation pathways (electron transfer and hydrogen abstraction) are observed. These include the radical ions of AQDS and sulfite from electron-transfer processes, carbon-centered radicals from H-atom abstraction reactions, and an additional carbon-centered radical formed by electron transfer from the AOT sulfonate head group followed by the loss of SO3. The radicals exhibit intense chemically induced dynamic electron spin polarization (CIDEP) in their TREPR spectra. The intensity ratios of the observed TREPR signals for each radical depend on the water pool size and temperature, which in turn affect the predominant CIDEP mechanism. All signal carriers are accounted for by simulation, and CIDNP results provide strong supporting evidence for the assignments.     

A fluorescent probe for the detection of myeloperoxidase activity in atherosclerosis-associated macrophages

The myeloperoxidase (MPO)-derived oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl/OCl(-)) is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory states. We have synthesized an imaging probe, sulfonaphthoaminophenyl fluorescein (SNAPF), that selectively reacts with HOCl. SNAPF detects HOCl produced by stimulated MPO-expressing cells cultured from human whole blood, as well as HOCl from bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophages isolated from transgenic mice that express human MPO. Two lines of evidence indicate that SNAPF permits the in vivo imaging of HOCl production. First, we used this approach to demonstrate HOCl production by neutrophils in experimental murine peritonitis. Second, we detected HOCl production by MPO expressing cells in human atherosclerotic arteries. Thus, fluorescence reflectance imaging by SNAPF may provide a valuable noninvasive molecular imaging tool for implicating HOCl and MPO in the damage of inflamed tissues.     

Interconversions of aryl radicals by 1,4-shifts of hydrogen atoms. A synthesis of benzo[a]corannulene

Aryl radicals generated ortho to aryl substituents by flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) of the corresponding aryl chlorides are shown to be capable of transferring hydrogen atoms between the ortho and ortho' positions (1,4-shifts of hydrogen atoms). In the examples described here, the rearranged aryl radicals are trapped by subsequent radical cyclization reactions. For example, FVP of 2-(o-chlorophenyl)benzo[c]phenanthrene gives 1-phenylbenzo[ghi]fluoranthene as the major product by homolysis of the C-Cl bond, 1,4-shift of a hydrogen atom out of the sterically congested cove region to the radical center, cyclization of the rearranged radical, and rearomatization of the molecule by loss of the other cove region hydrogen. In a control experiment run under the same conditions, FVP of 2-phenylbenzo[c]phenanthrene, which lacks a radical precursor, gave primarily recovered starting material. When the FVP was repeated using 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)benzo[c]phenanthrene as the starting material, benzo[a]corannulene was obtained as the major product, presumably by the same cascade of events to produce 1-(o-chlorophenyl)benzo[ghi]fluoranthene, which then suffers a second radical cyclization spontaneously under the high-temperature conditions to give the geodesic polyarene.     

Substituent effects and charge delocalization mode in chrysenium, benzo[c]phenanthrenium, and benzo[g]chrysenium cations: a stable ion and electrophilic substitution study.

The first series of persistent carbocations derived from mono- and disubstituted chrysenes Ch (5- methyl- 3, 2-methoxy- 19, 2-methoxy-11-methyl- 20, 2-methoxy-5-methyl- 21, and 9-methyl-4H-cyclopenta[def]chrysene 22), monosubstituted benzo[c]phenanthrenes BcPh (3-methoxy- 23, 3-hydroxy- 24), and monosubstituted benzo[g]chrysenes BgCh (12-methoxy- 25; 12-hydroxy- 26) were generated in FSO3H/SO2ClF or FSO3H-SbF5 (4:1)/SO2ClF and studied by low-temperature NMR at 500 MHz. The methoxy and methyl substituents direct the protonation to their respective ortho positions. Whereas parent Ch 1 is protonated at C-6/C-12, 3 is protonated at C-6 (3aH+) and at C-12 (3bH+) with the latter being the thermodynamic cation. The 2-methoxy-Ch 19 is protonated at C-1 to give two conformationally distinct carboxonium ions (19aH+/19bH+). In the disubstituted Ch derivatives 20 and 21, the 2-methoxy overrides the 5-methyl and the predominant carbocations formed are via attack ortho to methoxy. For the methano derivative 22 (Me at C-9), a 3:1 mixture of 22aH+/22bH+ is formed. For parent BcPh 13, nitration and benzoylation are directed to C-5. With 3-methoxy-BcPh 23, the site of attack moves to C-4, thus producing two conformationally distinct carboxonium ions (23aH+/23bH+), whereas conventional nitration gave a 2:1 mixture of 23aNO2 and 23bNO2. In 3-hydroxy-BcPh 24, the carboxonium ion 24H+ is exclusively formed. For parent BgCh 16, protonation, nitration, and benzoylation are all directed to C-10 (16H+, 16NO2, 16COPh), but presence of OMe or OH substituent at C-12 changes the site of attack to C-11. Charge delocalization mode is probed based on magnitude of delta delta 13Cs and conformational aspects via NOED experiments. Complete NMR data are also reported for several benzoylation/nitration products. Using ab initio/GIAO (and NICS), the NMR chemical shifts (and aromaticity) in model carbocations A-D were evaluated. This work represents the first direct study of the carbocations derived from the methyl-, methoxy-/hydroxy-derivatives of three important classes of bay-region and fjord-region PAHs whose diol-epoxides extensively bind to DNA. It also extends the available data on electrophilic chemistry of BcPh and BgCh.     

A new approach to studying aqueous reactions using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry: application to the uptake and oxidation of SO2 on OH-processed model sea salt aerosol

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry (DRIFTS) is a powerful technique for analyzing solid powders and for following their reactions in real time. We demonstrate that it can also be applied to studying the uptake and reactions of gases in liquid films. Within the DRIFTS cell, a 10%(w/w) mixture of MgCl(2) x 6H(2)O in NaCl was equilibrated with air at 50% RH, which is above the deliquescence point of the magnesium salt but below that of NaCl. This mixture of NaCl coated with an aqueous magnesium chloride solution was then reacted with gas phase OH to generate hydroxide ions via a previously identified interface reaction. This treatment, hereafter referred to as OH-processing, was sufficient to convert some of the magnesium chloride to Mg(OH)(2) and Mg(2)(OH)(3)Cl x 4H(2)O, making the aqueous film basic and providing a reservoir of alkalinity. Subsequent addition of SO(2) to the basic processed mixture resulted in its uptake and conversion to sulfite which was measured by FTIR. The sulfite was simultaneously oxidized to sulfate by HOCl/OCl(-) that was formed in the initial OH-processing of the salt. Further uptake and oxidation of SO(2) in the aqueous film took place when the salt was subsequently exposed to O(3). These studies demonstrate that DRIFTS can be used to study the chemistry in liquid films in real time, and are consistent with the hypothesis that the reaction of gaseous OH with chloride ions generates alkalinity that enhances the uptake and oxidation of SO(2) under these laboratory conditions.     

A Mass Spectrometric Approach for Probing the Stability of Bioorganic Radicals

Glycyl radicals are important bioorganic radical species involved in enzymatic catalysis. Herein, we demonstrate that the stability of glycyl‐type radicals (X‐^.CH‐Y) can be tuned on a molecular level by varying the X and Y substituents and experimentally probed by mass spectrometry. This approach is based on the gas‐phase dissociation of cysteine sulfinyl radical (X‐Cys‐Y) ions through homolysis of a C_α? C_β bond. This fragmentation produces a glycyl‐type radical upon losing CH₂SO, and the degree of this loss is closely tied to the stability of the as‐formed radical. Theoretical calculations indicate that the energy of the C_α? C_β bond homolysis is predominantly affected by the stability of the glycyl radical product through the captodative effect, rather than that of the parent sulfinyl radical. This finding suggests a novel experimental method to probe the stability of bioorganic radicals, which can potentially broaden our understanding of these important reactive intermediates.     

Synthesis of (10Z)- and (10E)-19-fluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: compounds to probe vitamin D conformation in receptor complex by 19F-NMR

To study the interaction of vitamin D with its receptor by 19F-NMR, (5Z,10Z)- and (5Z,10E)-19-fluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were synthesized starting from vitamin D2 via electrophilic fluorination of vitamin D-SO2 adducts as the key step. Regio- and stereoselective electrophilic fluorination at C(19) of vitamin D-SO2 adducts was achieved under the conditions using (PhSO2)2NF and bulky bases. The stereochemistry of the addition and elimination of SO2 of various vitamin D derivatives was studied in detail. SO2 causes Z-E isomerization of the 5,6-double bond of vitamin D and adds to the resulting (5E)-isomer from the sterically less hindered side opposite to the substituent at C(1). Elimination of SO2 from 19-substituted vitamin D-SO2 adducts proceeded exclusively in a suprafacial manner with respect to the diene part under either thermal or reductive conditions. Dye-sensitized photochemical isomerization of 19-fluorovitamin D derivatives was studied in detail. The rapid isomerization at the 5,6-double bond was followed by the slow isomerization at the 10,19-double bond to yield the (5E,10Z)-isomer (by nomenclature of the 1-OH derivatives) as the major product. (10Z)- and (10E)-19-Fluorovitamin Ds were also interconverted thermally probably via the corresponding previtamin D by 1,7-sigmatropic isomerization.     

Development and validation of a screening procedure for the assessment of inhibition using a recombinant enzyme

Myeloperoxidase (MPO, E.C. 1.1.11.7) is a heme-containing enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and chlorine anions. The production of HOCl is kept under strict control of neutrophils. However, in several pathological conditions, MPO is leaked in the extracellular fluid, which involves an over-production of reactive oxygen species like HOCl and promotes the damages caused by neutrophils. As a consequence, the inhibition of MPO by various agents has been investigated and a variety of molecules have been evaluated for this activity in different models. The present study aims to describe and validate a rapid screening method based on the taurine assay and using a recombinant MPO. After validation of the stock solutions used during the experiments, the amount of MPO for the completion of the reaction was measured and fixed to an optimal value. The inhibiting concentration at 50% of flufenamic acid (taken as a reference molecule) was then assessed in both a simple tube test and a microplate test and delivered similar results (1.3+/-0.2 microM vs 1.4+/-0.2 microM, P=0.2). Finally, different molecules able to inhibit MPO were evaluated in this rapid assay system providing results comparable to literature. The high throughput screening is undoubtedly a first line assessment method which affords the selection of inhibitors and permits to reduce the number of candidates for a further elucidation of the mechanism of MPO inhibition.     

Theoretical and experimental studies of the spin trapping of inorganic radicals by 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). 3. Sulfur dioxide, sulfite, and sulfate radical anions

Radical forms of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), sulfite (SO(3)(2-)), sulfate (SO(4)(2-)), and their conjugate acids are known to be generated in vivo through various chemical and biochemical pathways. Oxides of sulfur are environmentally pervasive compounds and are associated with a number of health problems. There is growing evidence that their toxicity may be mediated by their radical forms. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping using the commonly used spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), has been employed in the detection of SO(3)(?-) and SO(4)(?-). The thermochemistries of SO(2)(?-), SO(3)(?-), SO(4)(?-), and their respective conjugate acids addition to DMPO were predicted using density functional theory (DFT) at the PCM/B3LYP/6-31+G**//B3LYP/6-31G* level. No spin adduct was observed for SO(2)(?-) by EPR, but an S-centered adduct was observed for SO(3)(?-)and an O-centered adduct for SO(4)(?-). Determination of adducts as S- or O-centered was made via comparison based on qualitative trends of experimental hfcc's with theoretical values. The thermodynamics of the nonradical addition of SO(3)(2-) and HSO(3)(-) to DMPO followed by conversion to the corresponding radical adduct via the Forrester-Hepburn mechanism was also calculated. Adduct acidities and decomposition pathways were investigated as well, including an EPR experiment using H(2)(17)O to determine the site of hydrolysis of O-centered adducts. The mode of radical addition to DMPO is predicted to be governed by several factors, including spin population density, and geometries stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The thermodynamic data supports evidence for the radical addition pathway over the nucleophilic addition mechanism.     

Intramolecular cyclization of beta,beta-difluorostyrenes bearing an iminomethyl or a diazenyl group at the ortho position: synthesis of 3-fluorinated isoquinoline and cinnoline derivatives

o-Formyl-substituted beta,beta-difluorostyrenes readily react with NH(2)OH.HCl or NH(4)OAc to afford 3-fluoroisoquinoline derivatives in good yield via (i) the formation of the corresponding oximes or imines and (ii) subsequent intramolecular replacement of a vinylic fluorine by the sp(2) nitrogen of the iminomethyl group (HON=CH- or HN=CH-). Beta,beta-Difluorostyrenes bearing an o-diazenyl group (HN=N-), generated by reduction of the corresponding diazonium ions, undergo a similar substitution to afford 3-fluorinated cinnolines.     

Singlet oxygen generated from the decomposition of peroxymonocarbonate and its observation with chemiluminescence method

The decomposition of peroxymonocarbonate (HCO(4)(-)) has been investigated by flow-injection chemiluminescence (CL) method. An ultraweak CL was observed during mixing the bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide solution in organic cosolvent. An appropriate amount of fluorescent organic compounds, such as dichlorofluorescein (DCF), was added to the HCO(4)(-) solution, a strong CL was recorded. Based on studies of the spectrum of fluorescence, CL and UV-vis spectra, electron spin trapping (ESR) technique, mass spectra (MS) and comparison with H(2)O(2)/hypochlorite (ClO(-)) and H(2)O(2)/molybdate (MoO(4)(-)) systems, the CL mechanism was proposed. The reaction is initiated by unimolecular homolysis of the peroxo O-O bond in HO-OCOO(-) molecule. It was suggested that the bond rearrangement within radicals yield superoxide ion (O(2)(*-)). The interaction of superoxide ion with perhydroxyl radical produces singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)). The energy transfers from singlet oxygen to DCF forming an excited energy acceptor (DCF*). Luminescence (lambda(max)=509 nm) was emitted during the relaxation of the energy acceptor to the ground state.     

Potential bile acid metabolites. 25. Synthesis and chemical properties of stereoisomeric 3alpha,7alpha,16- and 3alpha,7alpha,15-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acids

Epimeric 3alpha,7alpha,16- and 3alpha,7alpha,15-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acids and some related compounds were synthesized from chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), respectively. The key reaction involved one-step remote oxyfunctionalization of unactivated methine carbons at C-17 of CDCA and at C-14 of UDCA as their methyl ester-peracetate derivatives with dimethyldioxirane (DMDO). After dehydration of the resulting 17alpha- and 14alpha-hydroxy derivatives with POCl(3) or conc. H(2)SO(4), the respective Delta(16)- and Delta(14)-unsaturated products were subjected to hydration via hydroboration followed by oxidation to yield the 3,7,16- and 3,7,15-triketones, respectively. Stereoselective reduction of the respective triketones with tert-butylamine-borane complex afforded the epimeric 3alpha,7alpha,16- or 3alpha,7alpha,15-trihydroxy derivatives exclusively. A facile formation of the corresponding epsilon-lactones between the side chain carboxyl group at C-24 and the 16alpha- (or 16beta-) hydroxyl group in bile acids is also clarified.     

PHOTOLYSIS OF PHEOMELANIN PRECURSORS: AN ESR-SPIN TRAPPING STUDY

The photolysis of 5-S-cysteinyldopa, 2,5-S,S-dicysteinyldopa, 4-hydroxybenzothiazole and cysteinyldopa melanins has been studied by ESR-spin trapping methods using 5.5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide and 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane as spin traps for hydrated electrons, hydrogen atoms, and carbon-centered alanyl radicals. The photochemistry of these materials is shown to resemble dopa in that both photoionization and photohomolysis occur. However, unlike dopa, the cysteinyldopa also forms the carbon-centered alanyl radicals via photodecomposition of the cysteinyl group. Action spectra and quantum yields are reported. Mechanism(s) of radical formation are discussed.     

Extended applications and potential limitations of ring-fused 2,3-oxazolidinone thioglycosides in glycoconjugate synthesis

The utility of ring-fused 2,3-oxazolidinone derivatives of 2-amino-2-deoxy-thioglycosides in the synthesis of glycopeptide intermediates and building blocks for the synthesis of heparan sulfate oligosaccharides is reported. These unique ring-fused monosaccharides afford a novel and efficient route to alpha-O-linked 2-amino-2-deoxy amino acid derivatives and heparan sulfate oligosaccharide intermediates.     

EPR study of gamma irradiated N-methyl taurine (C3H9NO3S) and sodium hydrogen sulphate monohydrate (NaHSO3·H2O) single crystals

EPR study of gamma irradiated C(3)H(9)NO(3)S and NaHSO(3).H(2)O single crystals have been carried out at room temperature. There is one site for the radicals in C(3)H(9)NO(3)S and two magnetically distinct sites for the radicals in NaHSO(3). The observed lines in the EPR spectra have been attributed to the species of SO(3)(-) and RH radicals for N-methyl taurine, and to the SO(3)(-) and OH radicals for sodium hydrogen sulfate monohydrate single crystals. The principal values of the g for SO(3)(-), the hyperfine values of RH and OH proton splitting have been calculated and discussed.     

Mechanism of reaction of alkyl radicals with (Ni(II)L)2+ complexes in aqueous solutions

The reactions of methyl radicals, CH(3), with the macrocyclic complexes Ni(II)L(1-5) (L(1-5) = cyclam derivatives, vide infra) and Ni(II)edta in aqueous solutions were studied. Methyl radicals react with all these nickel complexes, forming intermediates with Ni(III)-C sigma-bonds. The L(m)Ni(III)-CH(3) complexes are formed in equilibria processes with relatively fast forward rate constants of k(f) > 1 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) (except in the case of NiL(2)-trans I cyclam, where the reaction is slower). In all cases the decomposition of the transient complexes occurs via the homolytic cleavage of the metal-carbon sigma-bond. When the homolysis is relatively slow, an isomerisation process of the transient is also observed with the exception of NiL(2), where no isomerisation was observed. The results suggest that the strength of the Ni(III)-CH(3)sigma-bond is mainly affected by steric hindrance.