GFP-related chromophores: photoisomerization, thermal reversion, and DNA labelling.

Due to the pronounced effect of the confined environment on the photochemical properties of 4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolinone (HBI), a GFP-related chromophore, imidazolidinone and imidazothiazolone analogues have been studied as fluorescent probes. Their photoisomerization and their thermal reversion were studied under 365-nm-irradiation, resulting in observation of an enthalpy-entropy compensation effect. Theoretical studies were carried out to shed light on the thermal reversion mechanism. Moreover, photophysical studies of benzylidene imidazothiazolone in the presence of dsDNA revealed fluorescence enhancement. The prepared compounds could be considered as a valuable tool for the detailed investigation of physicochemical, biochemical, or biological systems.

Photolysis, tautomerism and conformational analysis of dehydroacetic acid and a comparison with 2-hydroxyacetophenone and 2-acetyl-1,3-cyclohexanodione.

The purpose of this work was to determine the tautomerism, the conformational analysis and photoreactivity of dehydroacetic acid (DHAA, 1). For that reason, the photolysis of DHAA (1) was performed at 254 nm and compared with two structurally similar compounds: 2-hydroxyacetophenone (HAP, 2) and 2-acetyl-1,3-cyclohexanodione (ACH, 3). We confirmed the degradation of 1 to acetic acid and we propose a mechanism on the assumption that a [2+2] cyclodimerization occurs (after UV light absorption) followed by some consecutive Norrish Type I cleavages, affording ketenes that end-up in acetic acid. The UV absorption study was conducted for all three compounds to gain insight about their electronic transitions, both experimentally and with computational simulations using TDDFT (B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)) methods. A detailed analysis of the different tautomers and isomers that can be present in solution and the MOs involved in the electronic transitions was also achieved. The HOMO→LUMO transition was the least energetic optically active transition for 1 and 2, whereas 3 was recognized to have a HOMO-1→LUMO transition. These transitions were all of n→π∗ character.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Cis/Trans-N-Phenyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-Hexahydro-3,1-Benzoxazin-2-Imines.

The growing interest in the chemistry of unsaturated ring-fused 1,3-heterocycles, in this particular case 1,3-oxazines, arise in part from their versatile pharmacological applications. In the present article, the evaluation of the in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activity of two cyclohexene-fused oxazines is discussed. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by trapping the ABTS and hydroxyl radicals as well as the inhibition of the enzyme acetyl-cholinesterase and hemolysis of erythrocytes by 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). The results suggest that both unsaturated 1,3-oxazines are auspicious sources of biologically active compounds with good antioxidant properties. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between these heterocycles with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, as well as the measurements of redox potential, provided evidence for a mechanism of antioxidant activity that takes place through electron transfer (ET) processes.

Gas-Phase Reaction between CF2O and CF3C(O)OH: Characterization of CF3C(O)OC(O)F.

The thermal decomposition of trifluoroacetic acid and carbonyl fluoride (CF2O) has been extensively studied because of their importance in the oxidation of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. We hitherto present the study of the thermal reaction between these two molecules. The reaction mechanism was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the temperature range of 513-573 K. The reaction proceeds homogeneously in the gas phase through the formation of a reaction intermediate, here characterized as CF3C(O)OC(O)F (detected for the first time in this work), the major final products being CF3C(O)F, HF, and CO2. We demonstrate that the reaction is first-order with respect to each reagent, second-order global and the mechanism consists of two steps, the first being the rate-determining one. The Ea = 110.1 ± 6.1 kJ mol-1 and A = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10-12 cm3 molec-1 s-1 values were obtained from the experimental data. The low activation energy is explained by the hydrogen-bond interactions between the -OH group of the acid and the F atom of the CF2O. First-principles calculations at the G4MP2 level of theory were carried out to understand the dynamics of the decomposition. Thermodynamic activation values found for this reaction are as follows: Δ H⧧ = 105.6 ± 6.4 kJ mol-1, Δ S⧧ = -88.6 ± 9.7 J mol-1 K-1, and Δ G⧧ = 153.7 ± 13.5 kJ mol-1. The comparison between theory and experimental results showed excellent similarities, thus strengthening the proposed mechanism.

Photo-oxidation of Dimethyl Malonate Initiated by Chlorine Atoms in Gas Phase: Kinetics and Mechanism.

The rate coefficient for the gas-phase reaction of chlorine atoms with dimethyl malonate (DMM, CH3OC(O)CH2C(O)OCH3) was determined at 298 K using relative methods giving a value of (3.8 ± 0.4) × 10-12, cm3 molecule-1 s-1). The photo-oxidation mechanism of DMM was also investigated. The main products were identified by infrared spectroscopy, and computational calculations were performed in order to support the experimental data. The results reveal that the photo-oxidation occurs mainly by the abstraction of an H atom from the methyl groups. The CH3OC(O)CH2C(O)OCH2O• radical formed subsequently reacts according to three competitive paths: reaction with molecular oxygen to yield CH3OC(O)CH2C(O)OC(O)H, isomerization-unimolecular decomposition to lead finally to CH3OC(O)C(O)H, CO2, and HC(O)OH, and α-ester rearrangement to form monomethyl malonate and carbon monoxide. The yield of products as a function of oxygen pressure was also determined.

Reaction of Methyl Fluoroformyl Peroxycarbonate (FC(O)OOC(O)OCH3) with Cl Atoms: Formation of Hydro-ChloroFluoro-Peroxides.

The products following Cl atom initiated reactions of FC(O)OOC(O)OCH3 in 50-760 Torr of N2 at 296 K were investigated using FTIR. Reaction of Cl atoms with methyl fluoroformyl peroxycarbonate proceeds mainly via attack at the methyl group, forming FC(O)OOC(O)OCH2• radicals. Further reaction of this kind of radical with Cl2 forms three new compounds: FC(O)OOC(O)OCH2Cl, FC(O)OOC(O)OCHCl2, and FC(O)OOC(O)OCCl3, whose existence was characterized experimentally by FTIR spectroscopy assisted by ab initio calculations at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level. Relative rate techniques were used to measure k(Cl+FC(O)OOC(O)OCH3) = (4.0 ± 0.4) × 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k(Cl+FC(O)OOC(O)OCH2Cl) = (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. When the reaction is run in the presence of oxygen, the paths giving chlorinated peroxide formation are suppressed, and oxidation to (mainly) CO2 and HCl takes place through highly oxidized intermediates with lifetimes long enough to be detected by FTIR spectroscopy.

Cyclohexene-fused 1,3-oxazines with selective antibacterial and antiparasitic action and low cytotoxic effects.

Oxazine derivatives, a class of heterocyclic compounds, exhibit a variety of biological properties, such as anticonvulsant and antitumor activities. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two cyclohexene-fused 1,3-oxazines (cis­1-benzyl-N-phenyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-3,1-benzoxazin-2-imine (1) and trans­N-phenyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-3,1-benzoxazin-2-imine (2)) in cultures of Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Additionally, the ex vivo antiparasitic activity of oxazines was assessed against Schistosoma mansoni, a helminth that is one of the major agents of the disease schistosomiasis Also, oxazines were evaluated on three tumor cell lines, NCI-H292 (human lung carcinoma), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) and HEp-2 (human cervix carcinoma), and two normal cell lines (Vero and red blood cells). Bioassays revealed that oxazine 2 is more effective against bacteria than oxazine 1, with the lowest MIC and MBC values of 3.91 and 32.5µg/mL, respectively. Similarly, compound 2 demonstrated higher antiparasitic activity than 1, and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed several morphological alterations in the tegument of worms in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, both oxazines exhibited low cytotoxic effects on cancer and normal cell lines. These results indicated that oxazines exerted direct effects on bacteria and parasite schistosomes. More importantly, since schistosomiasis control programs rely on one drug, praziquantel, oxazines may have the potential to become new antischistosomal agents.

Photooxidation of Di-tert-butyl Malonate in the Presence and Absence of Nitrogen Dioxide.

The rate constant for the reaction of di-tert-butyl malonate (DTBM) with chlorine atoms in the gas phase was measured using cyclohexane and pentane as references. The measurements lead to a value of (1.5 ± 0.1) × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The subsequent photo-oxidation mechanism of DTBM in the absence and presence of nitrogen dioxide was investigated. The main carbonated products identified in the first case were acetone, formic acid, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The addition of nitrogen dioxide lead besides to the formation of (CH3)3CC(O)OONO2 and (CH3)3CONO2. The proposed photo-oxidation mechanism was supported both experimentally and computationally. The results reveal that the (CH3)3COC(O)CH2C(O)OC(CH3)2O• radical formed reacts according to two competitive reactions: decomposition to yield acetone and (CH3)3COC(O)CH2C(O)O• radical 55 ± 2%, and migration of the H atom of the methylene group to the terminal oxygen atom 40 ± 3%.

Photolysis of n-Propyl Formate in the Presence of O2 and NO2: Peroxy Formyl Propyl Nitrate CH3CH2CH2OC(O)OONO2 Synthesis and Characterization.

The photo-oxidation of n-propyl formate (initiated by chlorine atoms) was studied in the presence of NO2, and the products were identified. The Cl atom attack to the molecule occurs in four sites, leading to the formation of formic acid, carbon dioxide, dicarbonylic products, nitrates, peroxy propionyl nitrate (CH3CH2C(O)OONO2, PPN), and a new peroxynitrate, peroxy formyl propyl nitrate (CH3CH2CH2OC(O)OONO2, PFPN). To characterize bulk quantities of the PFPN, its synthesis was carried out by the photolysis of mixtures of CH3CH2CH2OC(O)H, NO2, Cl2, and O2. After purification, its infrared spectrum and thermal stability were determined. The main infrared absorption bands and their corresponding cross sections are 796, 1219, 1302, 1741, and 1831 cm(-1) (1.16, 3.11, 0.88, 2.42, and 1.34 × 10(-18) cm(2) molec(-1), respectively). Thermal decomposition was studied as a function of pressure from 6.0 to 1000 mbar at 298 K, and the activation energy was determined between 293 and 304 K at total pressures of 9.0 and 1000 mbar (Ea = 98 ± 3 and 110 ± 2 kJ/mol, respectively). The atmospheric thermal lifetimes were obtained from kinetic parameters.

Properties and thermal decomposition of the hydro-fluoro-peroxide CH3OC(O)OOC(O)F.

The thermal decomposition of methyl fluoroformyl peroxycarbonate CH3OC(O)OOC(O)F was studied in the range of 30- 96 °C using FTIR spectroscopy to follow the course of the reaction in the presence of either N2, O2, or CO as bath gases. The rate constants of the homogeneous first-order process fit the Arrhenius equation k(exp) = (5.4 ± 0.2) × 10(14) exp[-(27.1 ± 0.6 kcal mol(-1)/RT)] (in units of s(-1)). A complete mechanism of decomposition is presented. An experimental O-O bond energy of 27 ± 1 kcal mol(-1) was obtained. The products observed when N2 or O2 are used as bath gases were CO2, CO, HF, and CH3OC(O)H, while in the presence of CO, CH3OC(O)F was also observed. Transition state ab initio calculations were carried out to understand the dynamics of the decomposition. Additionally, thermodynamic properties of the atmospherically relevant CH3OCO2• radical were calculated. The heat of formation, ΔH°(f 298), obtained for CH3OCO2• and CH3OC(O)OOC(O)F, were 78 ± 3 kcal mol(-1) and 191 ± 5 kcal mol(-1), respectively.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and theoretical calculations of ClF2CC(O)NPCl3 ([chloro(difluor)acetyl]phosphorimidic trichloride).

The synthesis of [chloro(difluor)acetyl]phosphorimidic trichloride (ClF2CC(O)NPCl3), together with a tentative assignment of the vibrational, NMR and mass spectra, are reported. Quantum chemical calculations (MP2 and B3LYP methods with 6-311+G(d) and 6-311+G(2df,p) basis sets) predict three stable conformers in the gas phase (syn, gauche and anti, defined according to the rotation around both the ClCCN and the CCNP dihedral angles). However, only a single C1 symmetry conformer is observed in the liquid phase, possessing the CO double bond in synperiplanar orientation with respect to the PN double bond, and the ClC bond distorted from the plane defined by the CC(O)NP entity. A Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis was carried out for the title compound and related molecules in order to provide an explanation about the electronic properties.

Thermal stability of peroxy acyl nitrates formed in the oxidation of C(x)F(2x+1)CH2C(O)H (x = 1,6) in the presence of NO2.

The formation of C(x)F(2x+1)CH2C(O)OONO2 (x = 1,6) from the photooxidation of C(x)F(2x+1)CH2C(O)H (x = 1,6) in the presence of NO2 was investigated. The infrared spectrum of C6F13CH2C(O)OONO2 is reported for the first time, and thermal stability for both peroxynitrates at 295 K and 9.0 mbar is informed. Kinetic parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) for CF3CH2C(O)OONO2 at 9.0 and 1000 mbar are: 108 ± 2 kJ/mol, 1.5 × 10(15) and 114 ± 2 kJ/mol, 2.4 × 10(16), respectively. A comparison is made between fluoro and hydrogenated peroxy acyl nitrates.

Mechanism of photo-oxidation of heptafluorobutyric anhydride in the presence of NO2. Synthesis and characterization of heptafluoropropyl peroxynitrate, CF3CF2CF2OONO2.

The photolysis of heptafluorobutyric anhydride at 254 nm in the presence of NO(2) and O(2) has been studied. It leads to the formation of CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)OONO(2), CF(3)CF(2)OONO(2), and CF(2)O as the only fluorine-containing carbonaceous products. The formation of the new heptafluoropropyl peroxynitrate (HFPN, CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)OONO(2)), as one of the main products, is a consequence of the formation of CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)OO(•) radicals followed by the reaction with NO(2). To characterize HFPN, the UV absorption cross sections and their temperature dependence between 245 and 300 K have been measured over the wavelength range 200-300 nm as well as the infrared absorption cross sections. Kinetic parameters for its thermal decomposition are also presented in the temperature range between 281 and 300 K. The Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus calculation reveals that the rate coefficient for the thermal decomposition at 285 K is almost independent of total pressure. The mechanism for the decomposition of CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)OONO(2) in the presence of NO was adjusted by a kinetic model, which enabled the calculation of important rate coefficients.

2-Chloroethylisocyanate. Thermal decomposition and spectroscopic properties.

2-Chloroethylisocyanate has been studied in a thorough way. NMR, Raman, FTIR, and Ar-matrix vibrational spectra of the molecule are presented and discussed with the complement of ab initio and DFT methods. The spectroscopic results reveal the existence of anti and gauche conformers that are equally populated in the gas phase. Thermal decomposition between 393 and 648 K shows two different pathways depending on the temperature, which can be interpreted in terms of simple second- and first-order mechanisms, respectively. Quantum mechanical calculations reproduce the experimental results.

Antibacterial activity of anthraquinone derivatives from Heterophyllaea pustulata (Rubiaceae).

Photosensitizing anthraquinones isolated from Heterophyllaea pustulata Hook f. (Rubiaceae), namely soranjidiol, rubiadin, damnacanthal and 5,5'-bisoranjidiol, showed antibacterial activity (bacteriostatic/bactericide) on Staphylococcus aureus. The mechanism of action seems to involve an increase in the levels of superoxide anion (O(2)(·-)) and/or singlet molecular oxygen ((1)O(2)). Moreover, the effect of actinic irradiation as a boosting agent for the production of both reactive species of oxygen as well as its influence on antibacterial activity was assessed. The routine susceptibility assay (minimum inhibitory concentration determination) was carried out by means of the broth macrodilution method. Bactericide activity was determined counting the colony-forming units per milliliter (cfu/mL) in plate. The O(2)(·-) production was determined by means of an indirect photobiological assay (Nitroblue Tetrazolium test), and the production of (1)O(2) was followed using an indirect steady-state method, with methionine as the (1)O(2) chemical quencher.

Atmospheric chemistry of n-C6F13CH2CHO: formation from n-C6F13CH2CH2OH, kinetics, and mechanisms of reactions with chlorine atoms and OH radicals.

Smog chamber FTIR techniques were used to measure k(Cl + n-C(6)F(13)CH(2)CHO) = (1.84 +/- 0.22) x 10(-11), k(Cl + n-C(6)F(13)CHO) = (1.75 +/- 0.70) x 10(-12), and k(OH + n-C(6)F(13)CH(2)CHO) = (2.15 +/- 0.26) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) in 700 Torr of N(2) or air diluent at 296 +/- 2K. The chlorine-atom-initiated oxidation of n-C(6)F(13)CH(2)CH(2)OH in air gives n-C(6)F(13)CH(2)CHO in a molar yield of 99 +/- 8%. The atmospheric fate of n-C(6)F(13)CH(2)C(O) radicals is reaction with O(2), while the fate of n-C(6)F(13)C(O) radicals is decomposition to give n-C(6)F(13) radicals and CO. The results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric chemistry of fluorinated alcohols and the formation of perfluorocarboxylic acids.

Trifluoromethyl fluoroformyl trioxicarbonate, CF3OC(O)OOOC(O)F: the first nonsymmetric acyl trioxide.

This paper reports for the first time the synthesis and characterization of trifluoromethyl fluoroformyl trioxicarbonate, CF(3)OC(O)OOOC(O)F. The new trioxide is obtained from the gas-phase photolytic reaction of CF(3)C(O)OC(O)CF(3) and FC(O)C(O)F at 223-228 K. It is a very thermally labile molecule that decomposes at room temperature by rupture of either of the CF(3)OC(O)O-O-OC(O)F bonds. These bonds are nonequivalent, and a branching ratio of 0.8 for fragmentation through the CF(3)OC(O)OO-OC(O)F bond was obtained. Unambiguous identification was possible through reaction of the trioxide with an excess of NO(2). Potential-energy surfaces (PES) of the different rotamers were studied by the B3LYP/6-311+G* method, and analysis of the IR frequency of the possible mixture of rotamers agrees excellently with the experimental IR spectrum. This molecule is the first nonsymmetric acyl trioxide reported in the literature.

Atmospheric chemistry of perfluoroaldehydes (CxF2x+1CHO) and fluorotelomer aldehydes (CxF2x+1CH2CHO): quantification of the important role of photolysis.

The UV absorption spectra of CF(3)CHO, C(2)F(5)CHO, C(3)F(7)CHO, C(4)F(9)CHO, CF(3)CH(2)CHO, and C(6)F(13)CH(2)CHO were recorded over the range 225-400 nm at 249-297 K. C(x)F(2)(x)(+1)CHO and C(x)F(2)(x)(+1)CH(2)CHO have broad absorption features centered at 300-310 and 290-300 nm, respectively. The strength of the absorption increases with the size of the C(x)F(2)(x)(+1) group. There was no discernible (<5%) effect of temperature on the UV spectra. Quantum yields for photolysis at 254 and 308 nm were measured. Quantum yields at 254 nm were 0.79 +/- 0.09 (CF(3)CHO), 0.81 +/- 0.09 (C(2)F(5)CHO), 0.63 +/- 0.09 (C(3)F(7)CHO), 0.60 +/- 0.09 (C(4)F(9)CHO), 0.74 +/- 0.08 (CF(3)CH(2)CHO), and 0.55 +/- 0.09 (C(6)F(13)CH(2)CHO). Quantum yields at 308 nm were 0.17 +/- 0.03 (CF(3)CHO), 0.08 +/- 0.02 (C(4)F(9)CHO), and 0.04 +/- 0.01 (CF(3)CH(2)CHO). The quantum yields decrease with increasing size of the C(x)F(2)(x)(+1) group and with increasing wavelength of the photolysis light. The photolysis quantum yield at 308 nm for CF(3)CHO measured here is a factor of at least 8 greater than that reported previously. Photolysis is probably the dominant atmospheric fate of C(x)F(2)(x)(+1)CHO (x = 1-4) and is an important fate of C(x)F(2)(x)(+1)CH(2)CHO (x = 1 and 6). These results have important ramifications concerning the yield of perfluorocarboxylic acids in the atmospheric oxidation of fluorotelomer alcohols.

Time evolution and competing pathways in photodegradation of trifluralin and three of its major degradation products.

The herbicide trifluralin (I)(N,N-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethylaniline) decomposes, by the action of UV-Vis light (lambda > 300 nm), to several products, the most important (because they give subsequent photochemical reactions) being N-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethylaniline (VI), 2-ethyl-7-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzimidazole 3-oxide (VII) and 2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethylaniline (XII). The time evolution of degradation of trifluralin (I) and the aforementioned three main photoproducts was studied in water and acetonitrile as solvents. The pseudo-first order rate constants allow one to calculate the branching ratios for some of the reactions involved. The preference for either N-dealkylation or cyclization depends on the solvent employed. Dissolved oxygen accelerates the photodegradation, especially the dealkylation.