Photochemistry of 1,3-Dioxolane Radical Cations in Sulfur Hexafluoride and Freonic Matrices at 77 K

The elementary stages and efficiency of the photochemical reactions of 1,3-dioxolane radical cations in various low-temperature matrices (sulfur hexafluoride, Freon-11, Freon-113) were determined. The matrix effects in the photochemical processes were observed experimentally. Possible reasons for these effects are discussed.     

Photochemistry of Ethylbenzene Radical Cations in Low-Temperature Freonic Matrices

Two different conformers of ethylbenzene radical cations (or a mixture of both conformers) can be stabilized in various freonic matrices. The first conformer retains the geometry of the parent molecule, whereas the second one corresponds to minimum energy. It was shown that the photochemical reactions of the radical cations in various freons at 77 K were not accompanied by a change in their conformational state. The spectral characteristics of ethylbenzene radical cations and the quantum yields of photoinduced charge transfer reactions were determined. The reasons for stabilization of different conformers of the radical cations in different freonic matrices are discussed.     

Simulation of photochemical processes and calculation of the quantum yields of isomerization reactions of substituted dienes

The possibility of construction of a semiempirical method for simulation of photochemical processes and calculation of the quantum yields of reactions has been studied. The practicability of the approach was exemplified with the photochemical transformations of some diene compounds into their cyclic isomers, namely, 2,4-dimethylpentadiene-1,3 → trimethylcyclobutene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene-1,3 → dimethylcyclobutene, pentadiene-1,3 → 3-methylcyclobutene, cis-butadiene-1,3 → cyclobutene, and 2-methylbutadiene-1,3 → 1-methylcyclobutene. The calculated quantum yields of the reactions are in qualitative and quantitative agreement with experimental data.     

Structures of gas phase C5H8 radical cations: A collisional ionization study

Collisional ionization (charge stripping) and charge exchange ionization spectrometry were utilized to determine structures of fourteen cyclic and acyclic C₅H₈ radical cations, including ionized 1,2- 1,3-, 1,4- and 2,3-pentadienes (-PD), isoprene, 1- and 3-methylcyclobutenes (1- and 3-MCB), 3-methyl-1,2-butadiene (3-M-1,2-BD), methenecyclobutane (MECB), cyclopentene, 3-methyl-1-butyne (3-MB), 1- and 2-pentynes and vinylcyclopropane (VCP). The pressure of the charge exchange reagent gas in the ion source was adjusted to generate ions of different energy contents. The structures of the C₅H₈ ions are energy dependent, and their isomerization reactions can be monitored as a function of the amount of internal energy deposited by charge exchange. 1,3-PD, isoprene and cyclopentene radical cations are identified as stable ion structures. 1-MCB, 3-M-1,2-BD and 3-MB radical cations isomerize to isoprene ions, whereas ionized VCP, 3-MCB, 1,2-PD, 2,3-PD, 1,4-PD, 1-pentyne and 2-pentyne ultimately isomerize to the [1,3-PD]⁺˙. Thermodynamic arguments are invoked to corroborate these isomerization reactions. The critical energies of the isomerizations are also estimated.     

Generation and reactions of 3-alkylidene-1-pyrazoline radical cations by photoinduced electron transfer

The behavior of the 3-alkylidene-1-pyrazoline radical cations generated by photoinduced electron transfer reactions was examined. The nitrogen-retained radical cations have been detected using laser flash photolysis. The photochemical products indicate that E/Z isomerization, intramolecular cyclization, and solvent addition (acetonitrile) occurred.     

In search of efficient 5-endo-dig cyclization of a carbon-centered radical: 40 years from a prediction to another success for the Baldwin rules

Despite being predicted to be stereoelectronically favorable by the Baldwin rules, efficient formation of a C-C bond through a 5-endo-dig radical cyclization remained unknown for more than 40 years. This work reports a remarkable increase in the efficiency of this process upon beta-Ts substitution, which led to the development of an expedient approach to densely functionalized cyclic 1,3-dienes. Good qualitative agreement between the increased efficiency and stereoselectivity for the 5-endo-dig cyclization of Ts-substituted vinyl radicals and the results of density functional theory analysis further confirms the utility of computational methods in the design of new radical processes. Although reactions of Br atoms generated through photochemical Ts-Br bond homolysis lead to the formation of cyclic dibromide side products, the yields of target bromosulfones in the photochemically induced reactions can be increased by recycling the dibromide byproduct into the target bromosulfones through a sequence of addition/elimination reactions at the exocyclic double bond. Discovery of a relatively efficient radical 5-endo-dig closure, accompanied by a C-C bond formation, provides further support to stereoelectronic considerations at the heart of the Baldwin rules and fills one of the last remaining gaps in the arsenal of radical cyclizations.     

Photochemical Reactions of Linear Alkane Radical Cations in Low-Temperature Matrices

The radical cations of linear alkanes (n-pentane, n-heptane) trapped in various matrices (Freon-11, Freon-113, Freon-113a, mixture of Freon-11 and Freon-114B2, and sulfur hexafluoride) were found to undergo the following types of photochemical reactions: (1) charge transfer to the matrix followed by neutralization, (2) isomerization and unimolecular decomposition, and (3) deprotonation. The absorption spectra of the radical cations were characterized, and the quantum yields of reactions occurring in different matrices at 77 K were determined. It was shown that the reaction pathway and efficiency of the photochemical processes observed for a given radical cation in different matrices with similar physical and chemical characteristics could considerably differ.     

Photochemistry of Oxirane-Derived Radical Cations in Freonic Matrices at 77 K

Moscow University Chemistry Bulletin - The data on the structure and the features of the photochemical reactions for radical cations (RCs) derived from various oxiranes (epoxides) that can be...     

Design of reversible multi-electron redox systems using benzochalcogenophenes containing aryl and/or ferrocenyl fragments

2,3-Disubstituted benzo[b]thiophenes, 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]thiophenes, and 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]selenophene have been systematically and selectively synthesized from benzo[b]thiophene or phthaloyl dichloride as a starting material, respectively. Characterization of the molecules was performed by physical and spectroscopic means and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The cyclic voltammograms of the chalcogenophene derivatives containing aryl fragments showed well-defined reversible both anodic and cathodic steps derived from the unusually stable 5π chalcogenophene radical cations and 7π chalcogenophene radical anions. The cyclic voltammograms of the novel chalcogenophene derivatives containing ferrocenyl fragments showed a well-defined reversible cathodic step derived from the unusually stable 7π chalcogenophene radical anions and two distinct reversible anodic steps derived from ferrocenium cations separated from each other by a thiophene-heterocycle. The radical character of several novel 7π chalcogenophene radical anions was measured by ESR spectroscopy.     

A strategy for the preparation of cyclic polyarenes based on single electron transfer-promoted photocyclization reactions

Single electron transfer (SET)-promoted photocyclization reactions of substrates comprised of benzylsilane tethered to phthalimides were subjected to an exploratory study in order to probe a new approach for the preparation of cyclic polyarenes. The results show that UV irradiation of the substrates leads to efficient photochemical reactions that are initiated by SET from benzylsilane moieties to the excited phthalimide acceptor. Ensuing desilylation reactions of the benzylsilane cation radical moieties in the intermediate zwitterionic biradicals and proton transfer gives biradical precursors of the cyclic polyarene products. The observations made in this effort suggests that SET photochemical methods, which have been employed earlier to generate cyclic poly-ethers, -thioethers and -amides, serve as a useful method to access potentially interesting macrocyclic targets.     

Engineering reactions in crystalline solids: photochemical generation of secondary and tertiary enol radical pairs from crystalline ketodiesters.

The photochemical decarbonylation of several crystalline 1,3-acetonedicarboxylates has been analyzed in solution and in the solid state. It is shown that the efficiency of the solid-state reaction depends on the stability of the intermediate acyl-alkyl and alkyl-alkyl radical pairs. Reactions proceeding through tertiary enol radicals are more efficient than reactions proceeding through secondary enol radical centers. Solid-state reactions that require the intermediacy of primary enol radicals do not occur. It is also shown that the selectivity of product formation in crystals depends on the structure of the reactant solid phase.     

Photochemistry of trimethylene oxide and trimethylene sulfide radical cations in freonic matrices at 77 K

It was shown that trimethylene oxide (oxetane) radical cations were converted at 77 K into either distonic radical cations ·CH₂CH₂CH=OH⁺ or 2-oxetanyl radicals, depending on the freonic matrix used, by the action of light at λ = 546 nm and trimethylene sulfide radical cations transformed into distonic radical cations CH₂CHSH⁺CH ₂ ^· under 436-nm irradiation. The quantum yields of the photochemical reactions were determined. Quantum-chemical calculations on the structure and HFC constants of the radical cations and possible paramagnetic products of their transformation were performed. The reasons behind the observed difference in reactivity between the radical cations under the action of light are discussed.     

Spectral Characteristics and Transformations of Intermediates in Irradiated Freon 11, Freon 113, and Freon 113a

Optical absorption bands observable in Freon 11, Freon 113, and Freon 113a irradiated at 77 K were assigned to various intermediates (radical cations, radical ion pairs, and complexes of radicals with ions). The transformations of these species in thermal and photochemical reactions occurring at 77 K were studied. On the basis of experimental results, it was suggested that the radical anions of Freon 11 and Freon 113 are unstable at 77 K and the spatial distribution of the intermediates produced is inhomogeneous.     

Detection of transient radical cations in electron transfer-initiated Diels-Alder reactions by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The coupling of a simple microreactor to an atmospheric pressure ion source, such as electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), allows the investigation of reactions in solution by mass spectrometry. The tris(p-bromophenyl)aminium hexachloroantimonate (1(*)(+)SbCl(6)(-))-initiated reactions of phenylvinylsulfide (2) and cyclopentadiene (3) and of trans-anethole (5) and isoprene (6) and the dimerization of 1,3-cyclohexadiene (8) to give the respective Diels-Alder products were studied. These preparatively interesting reactions proceed as radical cation chain reactions via the transient radical cations of the respective dienophiles and of the respective Diels-Alder addition products. These radical cations could be detected directly and characterized unambiguously in the reacting solution by ESI-MS-MS. The identity was confirmed by comparison with MS-MS spectra of the authentic radical cations obtained by APCI-MS and by CID experiments of the corresponding molecular ions generated by EI-MS. In addition, substrates and products could be monitored easily in the reacting solution by APCI-MS.     

Antiradical activity of dioxolane derivatives

1,3-Benzodioxoles synthesized by condensation of 3,6-di-tert-butylbenzene-1,2-diol with carbonyl compounds showed antiradical activity due to their ability to undergo one-electron oxidation with formation of stable radical cations. On this basis, the antiknock effect of their structural analogs, 1,3-dioxolanes derived from vicinal diols, was interpreted in terms of oxidation of these compounds with active radicals generated from fuel hydrocarbons to produce more stable radical or radical ion species, depending on the fuel composition. The formation of radical species was detected in model oxidation reactions of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethanol with radicals generated by photolysis of iron(III) chloride and benzoyl peroxide.     

Kinetic studies of a fast, reversible alkene radical cation cyclization reaction

The radical cation formed by mesylate heterolysis from the 1,1-dimethyl-7,7-diphenyl-2-mesyloxy-6-heptenyl radical was studied in several solvents. Computational results suggest that the initially formed acyclic radical cation is a resonance hybrid with partial positive charge in both double bonds of 1,1-diphenyl-7-methyl-1,6-octadiene (10). Thiophenol trapping was used as the competing reaction for kinetic determinations. The acyclic radical cation rapidly equilibrates with a cyclic distonic radical cation, and thiophenol trapping gives acyclic product 10 and cyclic products, mainly trans-1-(diphenylmethyl)-2-(1-methylethenyl)cyclopentane (11). The rate constants for cyclization at ambient temperature were k = (0.5-2) x 10(10)(s-1), and those for ring opening were k = (1.5-9) x 10(10)(s-1). Laser flash photolysis studies in several solvents show relatively slow processes (k = (2.5-260) x 10(5)(s-1) that involve rate-limiting trapping reactions for the equilibrating radical cations. In mixtures of fluoroalcohols RfCH2OH in trifluoromethylbenzene, variable-temperature studies display small, and in one case a negative, activation energies, requiring equilibration reactions prior to the rate-limiting processes. Fast equilibration of acyclic and cyclic radical cations implies that product ratios can be controlled by the populations of the acyclic and cyclic species and relative rate constants for trapping each.     

Mechanism of radical reactions in cyclic and linear methylsiloxanes

The radical reactions of linear and cyclic dimethylsiloxanes were studied. It was found that methyl radicals decayed in linear and branched polymethylsiloxanes and dimethylsilanediol at 77 K as a result of radical center transfer. It was established that distonic radical cations were formed and the siloxane ring was opened in cyclic siloxanes D₃ and D₄ upon irradiation in the bulk at 77 K.     

A Study of C5H10 radical cations by collisionally activated dissociation,charge stripping,and low energy ion-molecule reactions

C₅H₁₀ radical cations generated from a variety of olefins and cycloalkanes were investigated by collisionally activated dissociation, charge stripping, and low energy ion-molecule reactions. It has been determined that all of the isomers studied can be distinguished by charge stripping, whereas collisionally activated dissociation and the ion-molecule reactions are less informative. The radical cations from cyclopentane, methylcyclobutane and substituted cyclopropanes retain their cyclic structures for at least a fraction of the population having lifetimes in the microsecond range.     

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective C1,N-Dipolar (3+2) Cycloadditions of 2-Aminoallyl Cations with Indoles

2-Aminoallyl cations are versatile 1,3-dipoles that could potentially be used for diverse (3+n) cycloaddition reactions. Despite some preliminary studies, the asymmetric catalytic transformation of these species is still underdeveloped. We herein report a binuclear copper-catalyzed generation of 2-aminoallyl cations from ethynyl methylene cyclic carbamates and their enantioselective (3+2) cycloaddition reaction with indoles to construct chiral pyrroloindolines. This transformation features a novel C1,N-dipolar reactivity for 2-aminoallyl cations.     

Reactions of radical cations of acetals: Evidence for unimolecular decomposition

The thermal and photochemical reactions of the methylal radical cation /I/ in freon matrices were studied using selective deuteration for elucidating the structure of the resulting species. /I/ has been shown to decay by unimolecular reaction upon heating to 140 K as well as upon photolysis in CFCl₃ matrix and the product of decay has been assumed to be the complex of formaldehyde radical cation with CFCl₃. Such decay reaction has been demonstrated for 1,3-dioxolan radical cation as well.