ESR.-Studies of Nonalternant Radicals Structurally Related to Phenalenyl

The radical anion and the radical cation of azuleno[1,2,3-cd]phenalene (III) have been investigated by ESR. spectroscopy, along with the radical anion of 2-phenylazulene (IV). Also studied has been the neutral radical obtained by one-electron reduction of cyclohepta[cd]phenalenium-cation (VI^⊕). Assignment of the proton coupling constants for the radical ions III. ·?, III ·⊕ and IV·⊕, and the radical VI · is supported by comparison with the ESR. spectra of specifically deuteriated derivatives III-d₅ ·?, III-d₅ ·⊕, IV-d₂ ·? and VI-d₁′. The experimental results are in full accord with qualitative topological arguments and predictions of HMO models. Whereas the radical anion III ·? exhibits α-spin distribution similar to that of IV ·?the corresponding radical cation III ·⊕ and the neutral radical VI · are related in this respect to phenalenyl (V·). It is noteworthy that oxidation of III by conc. H₂SO₄ yields a paramagnetic species (IIIa ·⊕) which has a similar – but not an identical – structure as the radical cation III ·⊕ produced from III with AlCl₃ in CH₃NO₂.     

Electron spin resonance spectrum of the diphenylcyclobutene anion radical

The anion radical of 1,2-diphenylcyclobutene was studied by electron spin resonance. The hyperfine splittings were found to be 0·47 and 0·74 G for the meta-positions, 2·23 and 2·69 G for the ortho-positions and 4·21 G for the para-positions of the phenyl rings. The methylene proton splittings were 4·27 G, which would imply that the value of Q is 27 G, much lower than that of other cyclobutene anions. It was also estimated that the angle between the axis of the p-orbitals of the ethylene group and that of the phenyl group is about 30°, in agreement with that found for the tetraphenylethylene anion.     

The Radical Ions of Benzo[b]biphenylene,a Test for HMO Models of Biphenylene and its Derivatives

ESR.-spectra are reported for the radical anion and the radical cation of benzo[b]-biphenylene (III). Comparison of the proton coupling constants (a_Hμ) for III · ? and III · ⊕ with π-spin populations (?_μ), calculated by the McLachlan procedure, permits a lower limit of 0.77 to be set for the parameter κ = β′/β where β′ represents a reduced value of the HMO integral for the two essentially single bonds linking the benzene with the naphthalene π-system. The differences in the a_Hμ values for III · ? and III · ⊕ are substantially larger than those generally found for the two corresponding radical ions of alternant, purely benzenoid hydrocarbons, but they closely parallel the analogous differences observed for the radical anion and the radical cation of biphenylene.     

The Radical Anion of 2,7-Diazapyrene,a Change in Orbital Sequence on Protonation

ESR.-spectra are reported for the radical anion I · Θ of 2,7-diazapyrene (I), along with those for the radical cations I(2H) · ⊕ and I(2 CH₃) · ⊕ of 2,7-dihydro-2,7-diazapyrene and its 2,7-dimethyl-derivative, respectively. In contrast to the analogous radical ions of 4,4′-bipyridyl (II) and other previously studied diazaaromatic compounds, there is a striking change in the ¹⁴N and proton coupling constants on going from the radical anion I · Θ to the radical cations I(2H) · ⊕ and I(2 CH₃) · ⊕. This change can be rationalized in terms of the HMO model of the pyrene π-system. A reversal in the energy sequence of the lowest antibonding orbitals is predicted upon an increase in the absolute value of the Coulomb integral for the azasubstituted π-centres, such an increase simulating the enhanced electronegativity of the azanitrogen atoms 2 and 7 on protonation.     

Theoretical investigation of the alloxan–dialuric acid redox cycle

The redox cycle between alloxan, a mild oxidizing agent, and its reduction partner, dialuric acid, is investigated using density functional theory. It is found that the initial step is the one‐electron reduction of alloxan followed by protonation, yielding a stable neutral radical, AH^·. The radical can then accept another electron to form the dialuric acid anion. The formation of this anion is thermodynamically favored in both the gas phase and in solution. The radical may also undergo dimerization to alloxantin, followed by the transfer of a proton from one moiety to another, yielding alloxan and dialuric acid. This reduction is thermodynamically feasible in the gas phase, but not in aqueous solution. In the case of reduction of alloxan by glutathione at the physiological pH, computed redox potentials indicate that a two‐electron reduction is the favored course of reaction, yielding directly the dialuric acid anion, which then undergoes aerial oxidation to yield the superoxide radical. The redox cycling between alloxan and dialuric acid is responsible for the diabetogenic activity of alloxan, producing cytotoxic radicals on reoxidation of dialuric acid. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Kinetics of decomposition pathways of an energetic GZT molecule

This investigation uses the Gaussian 98 program, density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p), and ab initio MP2/6‐31G(d,p) and HF/6‐31G(d) methods to model energetic diguanidinium 5,5′‐azotetrazolate (GZT) ionic species in order to determine their decomposition mechanisms. GZT was initially cracked into two guanidinium cations (G⁺) and a 5,5′‐azotetrazolate anion (ZT^2?). Three routes—the elimination of a hydronium ion (H⁺), the elimination of a hydrogen radical (H·), and the elimination of an amine radical (·NH₂)—are suggested for the decomposition of the G⁺ cation, and three routes—single ring opening, double ring opening and N? N bond cleavage outside the ring—are proposed for the further decomposition of the ZT^2? anion. Fourteen decomposition species were obtained on splitting both the cation and anion. This result reveals the reliability of the aforementioned decomposition mechanisms. The transition state species were also obtained using a two‐structure or three‐structure synchronous transit‐guided quasi‐Newton (STQN) between the Cartesian coordinates of related particles at specific decomposition stages in this research. The corresponding activation energies in all decomposition stages were considered to infer the most feasible pathways of GZT decomposition. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

A pulse radiolysis study of the reactions of the hydrated electron and hydroxyl radical with the oxalate ion in neutral aqueous solution

The rate constants of the reactions of e _aq ^? and the OH^· radical with the oxalate ion in a neutral aqueous solution were measured by means of the pulse radiolysis technique. They were found to be (3.5 ± 0.5) × 10⁷ and (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10⁷ l mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. The radical anion ^?OOC-C^·OO^2? is characterized by an optical absorption band that has a maximum at 270 nm and a molar absorption coefficient of (2400 ± 200) l mol^?1 cm^?1. The radical anion ^·OOC-COO^?, the product of the reaction with the OH^· radical, exhibits absorption that has no maximum and increases in intensity with a decrease in the wavelength extending to the UV region (?₂₂₀ = 1800 l mol^?1 cm^?1). The mechanism of radiation-chemical transformations in aqueous oxalate solutions is discussed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of protection of thymine from phosphate radical anion under anoxic conditions

The rates of photooxidation of thymine in the presence of peroxydiphosphate (PDP) have been determined by measuring the absorbance of thymine at 264 nm spectrophotometrically. The rates and the quantum yields (φ) of oxidation of thymine by phosphate radical anion have been determined in the presence of different concentrations of dithiothreitol (DTT). An increase in DTT is found to decrease the rate of oxidation of thymine, suggesting that DTT acts as an efficient scavenger of PO₄^·2? and protects thymine from it. Phosphate radical anion competes for thymine as well as DTT; the rate constant for the phosphate radical anion with DTT has been calculated to be 2.21 × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, assuming the rate constant of phosphate radical anion reaction with thymine as 9.6 × 10⁷ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1. The quantum yields of photooxidation of thymine have been calculated from the rates of oxidation of thymine and the light intensity absorbed by PDP at 254 nm, the wavelength at which PDP is activated to phosphate radical anion. From the results of experimentally determined quantum yields (φ_exptl) and the quantum yields calculated (φ_cl), assuming DTT acts only as a scavenger of PO₄^·2? radicals, show that φ_exptl values are lower than φ_cl values. The φ′ values, which are experimentally found quantum yield values at each DTT concentration and corrected for PO₄^·2? scavenging by DTT, are also found to be greater than φ_exptl values. These observations suggest that the thymine radicals are repaired by DTT in addition to scavenging of phosphate radical anions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 271–275, 2001     

Voltammetric Behavior of Sodium 7-Methoxyl-4＇-hydroxylisoflavone-3＇-sulfonate and Its Application

Voltammetric behavior of sodium 7‐methoxyl‐4′‐hydroxylisoflavone‐3′‐sulfonate (SMHS) in the aqueous solution from pH 1 to 5 was studied by linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and normal pulse voltammetry. Experimental results showed that in 0.2 mol*L^?1 sodium citrate‐hydrochloric acid buffer solution (pH=4.65), SMHS caused only one reduction wave at ?1.34 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode, SCE), which was an h‐reversible adsorptive wave of SMHS protonized involving one electron and one proton. The peak current of SMHS on linear sweep voltammogram was proportional to its concentration in the range of 8.0 × 10 ?8.0·10 mol*L^?1 (r = 0.995). and the detection limit was 5.0·10^?‐⁶mol*L^?1. The method was applied to determination of SMHS, in synthetic samples. In addition, its scavenging effect on superoxide anion radical was studied by the auto‐oxidation of pyrogallol in HCI‐tris buffer solution (pH = 8.2) in order to explain its peculiar biological effects. The experimental results proved that SMHS has antioxidant quality, and it is an efficient free radical scavenger of superoxide anion radical.     

Overwhelming decomposition of 4-bromo-4''''-cyanomethylbiphenylyl radical anion without electron transfer to 4,4''''-dibromobiphenyl

Dibromobiphenyl reacted with cynomethyl anion in ammonia under irradiation to form nucleophilic bis-substituted product in high yield without substantial monosubstituted product. Quantum yields for the formations of bis- and monosubstituted products were found to be 85.6 and 2.3×10-6 respectively, while the corresponding pseudo-first-order rates were 6.9×10-3 and 5.2×10-10 mol.L-1.S-1. Block up the possible electron transfer of 4-brome-4'-cyanomethylbiphenylyl radical anion to 4-cyanometbyl-biphenylyl radical and bromine ion.     

ESR study on photoreaction of formato complex of europium(III) in HCOOH-HCOONa buffer solution

Matrix isolation ESR study showed that the ligated HCCO^? ion was decomposed into H⁺ and ·COO^? radical anion through CTTM process at λ = 254 nm, by contrast, ·CH₃ radical and CO₂ were produced from CH₃COO^? ligand. In order to explain the photo- and related reactions in the liquid solution, a proposal is made for a cyclic scheme conjugated with the photo-decomposition of the complex. The cycle consists of three steps; photo-reduction of H⁺ by Eu²⁺, radical alternation from ·H to ·COO^?, and oxidation of ·COO^? by Eu³⁺.     

The Radical Anions of [2.2]Paracyclophane-1,9-diene and Some of its Derivatives. An Unexpected Conformational Interconversion

The radical anions of [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene ( 2 ) and its 1,10,12,13,15,16-hexadeuterio derivative 2 -D₆, as well as those of 4,5,7,8-tetramethyl[2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene ( 3 ) and its 12,13,15,16-tetradeuterio derivative 3 -D₄, have been studied by ESR spectroscopy. The coupling constants for 2 ^?· at 178 K are 0.422 mT for four equivalent olefinic protons and 0.046 and 0.020 mT, each for a set of four equivalent aromatic protons. This hyperfine pattern is consistent with either benzene ring bearing two pairs of equivalent protons and it points to a lowering of the anticipated D_2h symmetry. The ESR spectra of 2 ^?· are strongly temperature dependent, due to modulation of the two coupling constants of 0.046 and 0.020 mT; these have opposite signs and average to 0.013 mT at 273 K. The experimental findings are interpreted in terms of a transition state of D_2h symmetry, 33 kJ/mol above two interconverting equivalent conformations of lower symmetry. Several pieces of evidence suggest that this symmetry is D₂, i.e., the benzene rings in 2 ^?· are twisted in opposite directions about the vertical axis. Temperature dependence of the ESR spectra, resulting from modulation of the hyperfine interactions with the aromatic protons, is also observed for 2 -D₆^?· and 3 ^?·. In the case of 3 ^?·, the olefinic protons are, as expected, only equivalent in pairs, the pertinent coupling constants being 0.560 and 0.325 mT. Upon standing at low temperatures, 2 ^?· and 3 ^?· gradually convert into the radical anions of [2.2]paracyclophane ( 1 ) and its 4,5,7,8-tetramethyl derivative, respectively. At higher temperatures, cleavage of one bridging chain in 2 ^?· also occurs, with the formation of the radical anion of (E)-4,4′-dimethylstilbene ( 7 ). Both reactions of 2 ^?· must involve the transient radical anion of [2.2]paracyclophane-1-ene ( 4 ) as proved by the observation of the spectra of 1 ^?· and 7 ^?· with 4 as the starting material.     

Enzymatic oxidation of lignin and compounds modeling it. III. Formation of singlet oxygen in the peroxidase oxidation of lignin

The main emitters of radiation in the aerobic oxidation of lignin are the carbonyl groups in an excited state and singlet oxygen. It has been shown that the main source of O₂(¹Δ) may be the radical anion O^?·₂. Singlet oxygen and the radical anion are by-products of the radical oxidation of lignin.     

Ab initio study of water clustering in the presence of a methyl radical

The geometrical structure and binding energy of small clusters of methyl radical and water molecules (up to five water molecules) in gas phase and water media have been investigated at the MP2 level of theory using 6-311++G(2df,2p) basis set. The complexes characterized contain OH···O, CH···O, and OH···C attractive interactions with stabilization energies in the range 6–143 kJ mol^?1. The solvent has an enhancing influence on the stabilities of studied clusters. The atoms in molecules theory were also applied to explain the nature of the complexes. The interaction energies have been partitioned with the natural energy decomposition analysis showing that the most important attractive term corresponds to the charge transfer one.     

Cyclic Voltammetry of Metallic Acetylacetonate Salts in Quaternary Ammonium and Phosphonium Based Deep Eutectic Solvents

Seven commercially sourced acetylacetonate salts were investigated in deep eutectic solvents (DESs that were prepared from ethylene glycol and trifluoroacetamide hydrogen bond donors) by cyclic voltammetry, to identify electrolytes suitable for future applications in electrochemical energy storage devices. Although the solubilities are low and on the order of 0.02 mol·L^?1 for the most soluble salts, some were found to display encouraging quasi-reversible electrochemical kinetics. For instance, the diffusion coefficients of copper(II) acetylacetonate and iron(III) acetylacetonate in the trifluoroacetamide based DES are 1.14 × 10^?8 and 5.12 × 10^?9 cm²·s^?1, which yields rate constants of 3.16 × 10^?3 and 8.43 × 10^?6 cm·s^?1, respectively. These results are better than those obtained with the DESs prepared from ethylene glycol. The poor kinetics of the iron(III) acetylacetonate system was possibly due to the hygroscopic nature of the DESs that resulted in a continuous build-up of moisture in the system in spite of the maintenance of an inert atmosphere by means of a plastic glove bag. Further work is thus envisaged in an inert dry box that could lead to H-type glass cell charge/discharge experiments in the future.     

Photochemistry of salicylate anion in aqueous solution

Photochemistry of the salicylate anion (HSA⁻) in aqueous solutions was studied by optical spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and nanosecond laser flash photolysis (XeCl laser, 308 nm). Excitation of this species gives rise to the HSA⁻ triplet state, HSA^· radical, and hydrated electron. The last two species are presumably formed due to the absorption of the second photon by the excited singlet state of the anion. In a neutral medium, the main decay channel of the HSA⁻ triplet state is triplet-triplet (T-T) annihilation. The HSA^· radical decays in recombination, and the hydrated electron reacts mainly with the HSA⁻ anion. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1270–1276, July, 2007.     

ESR studies of photosensitized degradation of poly(L‐lactic acid) via photoionization of dopant

The photosensitized degradation of poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLA) via an anionic reaction process was studied using spectrophotometry, electron spin resonance (ESR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. PLA film doped with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (TMPD) was irradiated at 77 K using UV light (λ_c = 356 nm) by which the PLA matrix itself cannot be directly excited. After photoirradiation, a new broad absorption band appeared over the original spectrum due to TMPD⁺ ·, which was produced by two‐photon ionization. The ESR spectrum of the irradiated sample indicated the presence of the TMPD⁺ · radical and main‐chain scission radical of PLA. During the thermal annealing at 0 °C, the latter radical changed to another radical species by dehydrogenation of the alpha hydrogen of the PLA main chain. TMPD⁺ · was extremely stable at room temperature for 7 d. However, by thermal annealing at 40 °C, all the radicals decayed due to the enhanced molecular motions near T_g of PLA (58.7 °C). Spectral simulation for the obtained ESR spectra revealed the relative amounts of four radicals: TMPD⁺ ·, a main‐chain scission radical, a main‐chain tertiary radical, and an unknown radical. The last one was tentatively assigned to the PLA radical anion because of its short decay time. GPC measurements clearly indicated a decrease in the molecular weight of PLA after irradiation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 706–714, 2001     

Laser study of photooxidation of chloranyl-sensitized 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxine

The kinetics of quenching of the triplet state of chloranyl (CA) by 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxine (TCD) in benzene and acetonitrile was studied by nanosecond laser flash photolysis. The reaction proceedsvia electron transfer (ET) with the rate constants of 1.5·10⁹ and 3.7·10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. In benzen ET results in the formation of short-lived triplet radical ion pairs (lifetime 100 ns). In acetonitrile, relatively long-lived (lifetime ≥10 μs) radical anion CA^.? and radical cation TCD^.? are formed and decay due to bimolecular reactions in the bulk of the solvent accompanied by the consumption of TCD.     

Esr and structure of sulfur-centered radicals and radical ions. γ-Irradiated dimethyl disulfide and methane thiol single crystals at 77°k

Single crystals of dimethyl disulfide and methane thiol were irradiated at 77°K. CH₃S radicals were produced in both compounds and measurement of the isotropic coupling constant from the methyl protons gave a value of 7.6 G. In the dimethyl disulfide crystal both the anion, CH₃SSCH₃, and the cation, CH₃SSCH⁺₃, radicals were observed. The disulfide anion radical exhibited an isotropic septet of lines with a = 5.0 G. Comparison with measurements on a polycrystalline sample gave g⊥ = 2.020 and g6 = 2.000 for this radical. The disulfide cation radical exhibited an evenly spaced septet of lines with a = 9.1 G and a maximum value for the g factor of 2.032.On illumination with IR radiation (λ > 590 mm) the disulfide cation radicals were easily bleached together with about 50% of the disulfide anion radicals suggesting a photoinduced neutralization process. The presence of weak ³³S satellite lines in the anion radical spectrum indicates that 12% of the unpaired spin is localized to the two sulfur 3s orbitals. The structure of the disulfide cation radical is discussed in relation to earlier studies and a dihedral angle of 180° is proposed. The mechanisms for radical formation and decay in dimethyl disulfide and methane thiol are also discussed.     

Theoretical study of the changes in the electronic structure of benzonitrile accompanying its conversion into a radical anion

The electronic structure of benzonitrile and its radical anion have been investigated at different levels of ab initio MO theory: STO-3G, 6-31G and 6-31G^**. The changes in the electronic structure of the neutral molecule accompanying its conversion into the corresponding radical anion have been estimated. It was established that the radicalization leads to significant changes in the bond lengths with double and triple bond character expressed in the conjugated system. The distribution of the total atomic charges on transition from the neutral molecule to the corresponding radical anion have been investigated using the Mulliken population analysis. The distribution of the odd electron density in the radical anion was estimated at the different basis sets: STO-3G, 6-31G and 6-31G^**. The ab initio calculations suggest that the quinoid structure is preferred for the radical anion.