Binding of Sulfonamide Antibiotics to CTABr Micelles Characterized Using (1)H NMR Spectroscopy.

Interactions of nine sulfonamide antibiotics (sulfadoxine, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamerazine, sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfacetamide, sulfaguanidine, and sulfanilamide) with cetyltrimethylamonium bromide (CTABr) micelles were examined using (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Seven of the nine provided a significant change in the (1)H NMR chemical shift such that the magnitude and direction (upfield vs downfield) of the chemical shift could be used to propose a locus and orientation of the sulfonamide within the micelle structure. The magnitude of the chemical shift was used to estimate the binding constant for seven sulfonamides with CTABr micelles, providing values and an overall pattern consistent with previous studies of these sulfonamides.

Evidence for a catalytic six-membered cyclic transition state in aminolysis of 4-nitrophenyl 3,5-dinitrobenzoate in acetonitrile: comparative brønsted-type plot, entropy of activation, and deuterium kinetic isotope effects.

A kinetic study for reactions of 4-nitrophenyl 3,5-dinitrobenzoate (1a) with a series of cyclic secondary amines in acetonitrile is reported. Plots of the pseudo-first-order rate constant (kobsd) vs [amine] curve upward, while those of kobsd /[amine] vs [amine] exhibit excellent linear correlations with positive intercepts, indicating that the reaction proceeds through both uncatalyzed and catalyzed routes. Brønsted-type plots for uncatalyzed and catalyzed reactions are linear with ßnuc = 1.03 and 0.69, respectively. The ΔH(⧧) and ΔS(⧧) values measured for the catalytic reaction with morpholine are -0.80 kcal/mol and -61.7 cal/(mol K), respectively. The negative ΔH(⧧) with a large negative ΔS(⧧) suggests that the reaction proceeds through a highly ordered transition state (i.e., a six-membered cyclic transition state, which includes a second amine molecule that accepts a proton from the aminium moiety of the zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate and simultaneously donates a proton to the aryloxyl oxygen of the nucleofuge with concomitant C-OAr bond scission). This proposal is consistent with the smaller ßnuc value for the catalyzed reaction as compared to the uncatalyzed reaction. An inverse deuterium kinetic isotope effect (DKIE) value of 0.93 and a contrasting normal primary DKIE value of 3.23 for the uncatalyzed and catalyzed routes, respectively, also support the proposed cyclic transition state.

Alkali-metal ion catalysis and inhibition in SNAr displacement: relative stabilization of ground state and transition state determines catalysis and inhibition in SNAr reactivity.

We report here the first observation of alkali-metal ion catalysis and inhibition in SNAr reactions. The plot of kobsd versus [alkali-metal ethoxide] exhibits downward curvature for the reactions of 1-(4-nitrophenoxy)-2,4-dinitrobenzene with EtOLi, EtONa, and EtOK, but upward curvature for the corresponding reaction with EtOK in the presence of 18-crown-6-ether (18C6). Dissection of kobsd into the second-order rate constants for the reactions with the dissociated EtO(-) and the ion-paired EtOM (i.e., k EtO - and kEtOM , respectively) has revealed that the reactivity increases in the order EtOLi

Dissection of activation parameters in the bell-shaped α-effect following solvent modulation (DMSO-H2O media).

This paper comprises results of our investigation of the α-effect phenomenon for the reaction of O-p-nitrophenyl thionobenzoate (PNPTB) with butane-2,3-dione monoximate (Ox(-), α-nucleophile) and p-chlorophenoxide (p-ClPhO(-), normal-nucleophile) in DMSO-H2O mixtures of varying compositions at 15.0 °C, 25.0 °C, and 35.0 °C. The reactivity of Ox(-) and p-ClPhO(-) increases significantly as the DMSO content in the medium increases, although the effects of medium on reactivity are not the same for the reactions with Ox(-) and p-ClPhO(-). Ox(-) exhibits the α-effect in all solvent compositions and temperatures. The α-effect increases up to 50 mol % DMSO and then decreases thereafter, resulting in a bell-shaped α-effect profile. Dissection of the activation parameters (i.e., ΔH(‡) and TΔS(‡)) has revealed that the bell-shaped α-effect behavior is due to entropy of activation differences rather than enthalpy terms, although the enthalpy term controls almost entirely the solvent dependence of the reaction rate. Differences in the transition-state (TS) structures for the reactions with Ox(-) (a six-membered cyclic TS) and p-ClPhO(-) (an acyclic TS) are consistent with the entropy-dependent α-effect behavior.

Switchable polarity solvent (SPS) systems: probing solvatoswitching with a spiropyran (SP)-merocyanine (MC) photoswitch.

The switchable polarity solvent (SPS) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and an alcohol (e.g. 1-propanol) reversibly switches to a higher polarity ionic liquid, [DBUH(+)][RCO3(-)], when treated with CO2. A long-lived species with unique properties was detected in an investigation into the use of SPS to control the lifetime of the merocyanine (MC) form in a spiropyran (SP)-MC molecular photoswitch. Irradiation of SP in 1-propanol (PrOH) in the presence of DBU generates a new species (λmax = 420 nm). This species converts to MC upon bubbling with CO2, which produces [DBUH(+)][PrOCOO(-)]. It is proposed that a mixture of 1,2 and 1,4 alkoxide addition products form as a result of nucleophilic attack on the conjugated diene system of MC, where alkoxide formation arises from equilibration of highly basic DBU and the alcohol. These adducts revert to MC upon application of CO2 or addition of acid. Determination of the overall equilibrium constant for alkoxide adduct formation involving DBU was afforded through Benesi-Hildebrand analysis.

Rapidly formed quinalphos complexes with transition metal ions characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) offers the unique opportunity to characterize complexes of the organophosphorus pesticide (OP) quinalphos (PA-Q) with transition metal ions immediately formed after contact. This study complements research looking at longer term kinetics of quinalphos hydrolysis in the presence of transition metal ions and gives insights into the structural features of the initial complex formation in solution. (Hydrolysis reaction: PA-Q + H2 O → PA-OH + HQ, where PA-OH is the diethyl phosphate product and HQ is hydroxyquinoxaline.) METHODS: Low micromolar PA-Q solutions with an approximately 3-fold molar excess of transition metal ions were immediately analyzed after mixing. Fragmentation of the transition metal ion complexes with PA-Q was accomplished in two different ways: first, in-source fragmentation by elevating the declustering potential and second, low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). RESULTS: For Ag(+), the [PA-Q - Ag(+)] and respective Ag(+) -containing degradation product ions are readily observed. For Cu(2+), we observed the [PA-Q + Cu(2+) + NO3(-)] complex ion with weak intensity and strong signals from both the [2PA-Q + Cu(+)] and the [PA-Q + Cu(+)] ions, the latter two attributable to charge-state reduction in the gas phase from Cu(II) to Cu(I), indicating that PA-Q fulfills specific structural requirements of the formed complex for charge-state reduction during transition from solution to the gas phase. For Hg(2+), the [PA-Q + Hg(2+) + (PA-OH - H)(-)] ion was the largest observed species containing one Hg(2+) ion. No 1:1 species ([PA-Q] or other degradation products:Hg(2+)) was observable. CONCLUSIONS: ESI-MS/MS of complexes formed from PA-Q and transition metal ions is a formidable technique to probe initial formation of these complexes in solution. Previous work from other groups established structural requirements that enable charge-state reduction from Cu(II) to Cu(I) in ligand complexes during transition into the gas phase, and these rules allow us to propose structural features of PA-Q complexes with copper ions in solution.

A kinetic study on nucleophilic displacement reactions of aryl benzenesulfonates with potassium ethoxide: role of K+ ion and reaction mechanism deduced from analyses of LFERs and activation parameters.

Pseudofirst-order rate constants (k(obsd)) have been measured spectrophotometrically for the nucleophilic substitution reactions of 2,4-dinitrophenyl X-substituted benzenesulfonates 4a-f and Y-substituted phenyl benzenesulfonates 5a-k with EtOK in anhydrous ethanol. Dissection of k(obsd) into k(EtO(-)) and k(EtOK) (i.e., the second-order rate constants for the reactions with the dissociated EtO(-) and ion-paired EtOK, respectively) shows that the ion-paired EtOK is more reactive than the dissociated EtO(-), indicating that K(+) ion catalyzes the reaction. The catalytic effect exerted by K(+) ion (e.g., the k(EtOK)/k(EtO(-)) ratio) decreases linearly as the substituent X in the benzenesulfonyl moiety changes from an electron-donating group (EDG) to an electron-withdrawing group (EWG), but it is independent of the electronic nature of the substituent Y in the leaving group. The reactions have been concluded to proceed through a concerted mechanism from analyses of the kinetic data through linear free energy relationships (e.g., the Brønsted-type, Hammett, and Yukawa-Tsuno plots). K(+) ion catalyzes the reactions by increasing the electrophilicity of the reaction center through a cyclic transition state (TS) rather than by increasing the nucleofugality of the leaving group. Activation parameters (e.g., ΔH(‡) and ΔS(‡)) determined from the reactions performed at five different temperatures further support the proposed mechanism and TS structures.

Photochemical and thermal spiropyran (SP)-merocyanine (MC) interconversion: a dichotomy in dependence on viscosity.

The current study extends our work with spiropyran-merocyanines (SP-MC) as molecular photoswitches by delving into the effects of viscosity. This has led to the interesting finding of a dichotomy in viscosity dependence. Solutions of SP [6'-nitro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro(indolino-2,2'-benzopyran)] in a wide range of ethylene glycol-methanol (EG-MeOH) media (3.59 to 17.9 M in EG) were irradiated 90 s (365 nm). The absorbance at 90 s of MC (532 nm) formed photolytically varied with solvent. The least viscous medium yielded the highest concentration of MC and yields declined with increasing viscosity. Once irradiation ceased each system achieved thermal equilibrium. Molecular dynamics studies of typical thermal reactions governed by electronic and steric factors show that the transition state is achieved primarily after solvent reorganization has occurred to accommodate the new structure. It follows that in such thermal reactions viscosity may not cause any hindrance to the motion of atoms in molecules because solvent has already rearranged. In contrast, photochemical excitations occur at much higher rates (10(-15) s) than solvent reorganization, i.e. dielectric relaxation (10(-10) to 10(-12) s). The viscosity dependence of photochemical MC formation suggests that a major geometrical change is required for excited SP to be converted to MC. The dichotomy in dependence on viscosity is confirmed by the thermal equilibration of SP and MC. The equilibrium constant for the process increases three-fold (from 0.0535 to 0.158) as the EG content of the medium increases. However, the forward rate constant (SP → MC) is almost invariant with EG content or viscosity. The process is viscosity independent. The increase in the equilibrium constant with EG concentration is a result of a decline in the reverse rate constant for MC cyclisation to SP. This is attributed to special stabilisation of the MC that increases with increasing EG concentration. The present study, to our knowledge, is the first to dissect viscosity from solvent stabilisation factors in SP-MC systems. Further, the study highlights the fundamental difference between photolytic and thermal processes, providing another avenue of control for these SP-MC photoswitches.

Alkali-metal-ion catalysis and inhibition in the nucleophilic displacement reaction of y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates and diphenylphosphinothioates with alkali-metal ethoxides: effect of changing the electrophilic center from P=O to P=S.

A kinetic study of the nucleophilic substitution reaction of Y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinothioates 2 a-g with alkali-metal ethoxides (MOEt; M = Li, Na, K) in anhydrous ethanol at (25.0±0.1) °C is reported. Plots of pseudo-first-order rate constants (k(obsd)) versus [MOEt], the alkali ethoxide concentration, show distinct upward (KOEt) and downward (LiOEt) curvatures, respectively, pointing to the importance of ion-pairing phenomena and a differential reactivity of dissociated EtO(-) and ion-paired MOEt. Based on ion-pairing treatment of the kinetic data, the k(obsd) values were dissected into k EtO - and k(MOEt), the second-order rate constants for the reaction with the dissociated EtO(-) and ion-paired MOEt, respectively. The reactivity of MOEt toward 2 b (Y = 4-NO(2)) increases in the order LiOEtNaOEt>KOEt>EtO(-). The current study based on Yukawa-Tsuno analysis has revealed that the reactions of 2 a-g (P=S) and Y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates 1 a-g (P=O) with MOEt proceed through the same concerted mechanism, which indicates that the contrasting selectivity patterns are not due to a difference in reaction mechanism. The P=O compounds 1 a-g are approximately 80-fold more reactive than the P=S compounds 2 a-g toward the dissociated EtO(-) (regardless of the electronic nature of substituent Y) but are up to 3.1×10(3)-fold more reactive toward ion-paired LiOEt. The origin of the contrasting selectivity patterns is further discussed on the basis of competing electrostatic effects and solvational requirements as a function of anionic electric field strength and cation size (Eisenman's theory).

Pitfalls in assessing the α-effect: reactions of substituted phenyl methanesulfonates with HOO(-), OH(-), and substituted phenoxides in H(2)O.

Toward resolving the current controversy regarding the validity of the α-effect, we have examined the reactions of Y-substituted phenyl methanesulfonates 1a-1l with HOO(-), OH(-), and Z-substituted phenoxides in the gas phase versus solution (H(2)O). Criteria examined in this work are the following: (1) Brønsted-type and Hammett plots for reactions with HOO(-)and OH(-), (2) comparison of ß(lg) values reported previously for the reactions of Y-substituted phenyl benzenesulfonates 2a-2k with HOO(-) (ß(lg) = -0.73) and OH(-) (ß(lg) = -0.55), and for those of 1a-1l with HOO(-) (ß(lg) = -0.69) and OH(-) (ß(lg) = -1.35), and (3) Brønsted-type plot showing extreme deviation of OH(-) for reactions of 2,4-dintrophenyl methanesulfonate 1a with aryloxides, HOO(-), and OH(-), signifying extreme solvation vs different mechanisms. The results reveal significant pitfalls in assessing the validity of current interpretations of the α-effect. The extreme negative deviation by OH(-) must be due, in part, to the difference in their reaction mechanisms. Thus, the apparent dependence of the α-effect on leaving-group basicity found in this study has no significant meaning due to the difference in operating mechanisms. The current results argue in favor of a further criterion, i.e., a consistency in mechanism for the α-nucleophiles and normal nucleophiles.

Spirooxazine to merooxazine interconversion in the presence and absence of zinc: approach to a bistable photochemical switch.

A spironaphthoxazine (SO) photoswitch was synthesized, and its photochromic behaviors were investigated. SO underwent reversible ring-opening/closure isomerization between a spirocyclic isomer (closed form) and a merocyanine (MO isomer, open form) upon ultraviolet light irradiation. For the model SO in this work, the thermal equilibrium is substantially shifted toward the spirocyclic isomer even at -30.0 °C. However, addition of zinc, as Zn(ClO(4))(2), exerted an important effect on the thermal reversion process from the open (MO) to the closed form (SO). Kinetic analysis showed that thermal reversion with zinc is retarded more than 13-fold, significantly improving bistability. Moreover, introduction of zinc to the spirooxazine-merooxazine (SO-MO) system resulted in a new absorption band readily distinguishable from the bands arising from spirooxazine and merooxazine. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the microscopic rate constants for: MO photogeneration from SO (k(1)), thermal reversion of MO to SO (k(2)), complexation of MO with zinc (k(3)) and for dissociation of the complex, MO-Zn (k(4)), as well as for the ionization equilibria of Zn(ClO(4))(2) have been evaluated. The preferred transoid structures of MO and those of MO-Zn derived from the preferred MO structures are considered. Although the kinetic study does not permit elucidation of the nature of zinc binding to MO to give MO-Zn, nor the precursor isomers of MO, a DFT calculational study in progress should shed light on the structure and relative stability of these essential intermediates.

Assessing the superelectrophilic dimension through sigma-complexation, SNAr and Diels-Alder reactivity.

In the domain of organic chemistry, S(N)Ar substitutions represent a class of reactions of overwhelming importance, both in synthesis and in the understanding of structure-reactivity relationships, especially the role of sigma-complex intermediates. The primary factor necessary for achievement of S(N)Ar reactions is the presence of a good leaving group, which allows facile rearomatization of the ring undergoing nucleophilic attack. Consistent is the finding that the superelectrophilic chloronitrobenzofuroxans--or furazans--exhibit a very high S(N)Ar reactivity, allowing a number of C-C, C-N, C-O couplings to be achieved that are not accessible with the classical series of nitro-substituted aromatics. Of particular interest is the synthesis of a number of indoles, indolizines, pyrroles and extended pi-excessive aromatic structures like azulene substituted by superelectrophilic moieties. The remarkable driving force for the facile completion of these reactions is the 10 orders of magnitude greater reactivity of 10pi-electron-deficient heteroaromatics such as 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF) than of the most reactive trinitrobenzene derivatives in sigma-adduct complexation. Among the factors that have been recognized as governing superelectrophilicity, there is the poor aromaticity of 6-membered 10pi-electron structures investigated, with a common origin for sigma-complexation and pericyclic processes. A remarkable capacity of these structures is actually to contribute to a variety of Diels-Alder reactions. As an example, the DNBF molecule formally behaves as a nitroalkene, being susceptible to act as a dienophile as well as a heterodiene. Another remarkable Diels-Alder pathway is the capacity of the 6-membered carbocyclic ring of DNBF to act as a carbodiene. Also noteworthy is the successful Diels-Alder trapping of the dinitroso intermediate associated with 1-oxide/3-oxide tautomerism of the furoxan moiety of 4-aza-6-nitrobenzofuroxan. A point of fundamental importance in taking advantage of the reactivity of superelectrophilic structures at hand has been a successful calibration of their reactivity within the electrophilicity E scale developed by Mayr to describe nucleophile-electrophile combinations in general. It has thus been established that the E parameters measuring the electrophilicity of neutral heteroaromatics lie in the same region of the E scale as a number of highly reactive cationic reagents. Besides a reactivity rather similar to that of the 4-nitrobenzenediazonium cation (vide supra), the most electrophilic neutral molecules (DNBF, DNTP, DNBZ) are as electrophilic as tropylium cations or a number of metal-coordinated carbenium ions. Furthermore, there is a remarkable link between the pK(a)(H(2)O) and E scales, as evidenced by the existence of a unique linear relationship spanning more than 20 orders of reactivity. This relationship appears as being a nice probe to predict the feasibility of S(N)Ar substitutions and related sigma-complexation processes. Also revealing in terms of feasibility of the reactions is the existence of a close correlation between the electrochemical oxidation potential E degrees of sigma-adducts and their positioning on the pK(a)(H(2)O) scale. Our data can also be used to evaluate the potential of a theoretical model recently derived from DFT calculations, namely the global electrophilicity index omega, for the description of nucleophile-electrophile combinations. While showing several significant deviations, a reasonably linear omega vs. pK(a)(H(2)O) relationship is obtained when restricting the correlation to structurally similar electrophilic moieties. On this basis, valuable information could be derived regarding the polar character of some DA reactions. Overall, the global electrophilicity (omega) approach may be a promising avenue in future work of electrophile-nucleophile combinations.

Energy transfer in the azobenzene-naphthalene light harvesting system.

We have investigated the model light harvesting systems (LHSs) A and B typifying energy transfer (ET) between a naphthalene, Np (donor, D), and an azobenzene, Az (acceptor, A), shown schematically in Scheme 2 . These models were actualized as the naphthyl azo molecules 1 and 4 containing a methylene tether (Scheme 1). The methoxy azo molecules 2 and 5, respectively, served as benchmarks for the assessment of ET. Photophysical data, including initial rate constants for photoisomerization (trans to cis, t-1 --> c-1, and cis to trans, c-1 --> t-1), the relevant c-1 --> t-1 quantum yields, and fluorescence quenching with free naphthalene, 3, as D were measured. Therefore, (1) irradiation of 3 at (270 nm) to give 3* generates fluorescence at 340 nm that is 65% quenched by the trans isomer of 2 (t-2) and 15% quenched by c-2. Comparable naphthalenic fluorescence of c-1 (LH model A) is quenched beyond detectability. (2) Rates of photoisomerization were determined spectrophotometrically for c-1 --> t-1 starting from the c-1 photostationary state as compared with the c-2 --> t-2 benchmark. (3) Progressing toward more complex LH systems, the initial rate constants, k(i), for c-4 --> t-4 (LH model B), were measured as compared with the c-5 --> t-5 benchmark. (4) A new criterion for ET (D --> A) efficiency emerges that combines k(i) (c --> t) ratios and light absorption on irradiation (at 270 nm) ratios. On the basis of this new criterion, both 1 and 4 exhibit virtually quantitative ET efficiency. (5) Quenching data of 1 (almost complete) and 4 (95%) and ET are discussed by comparison with the relevant model azoarenes, 2 and 5, respectively, and in terms of geometrical considerations. Implications for the extension of the results, notably the new criterion for ET efficiency, in these LH models A and B to the polymer and block copolymer D-(CRR')(n)-A and D-(CRR')(n)-A-(CR''R''')(m)-D targets are considered.

Effects on the reactivity by changing the electrophilic center from C==O to C==S: contrasting reactivity of hydroxide, p-chlorophenoxide, and butan-2,3-dione monoximate in DMSO/H2O mixtures.

Second-order rate constants have been measured spectrophotometrically for the reactions of O-p-nitrophenyl thionobenzoate (1, PNPTB) with HO(-), butan-2,3-dione monoximate (Ox(-), alpha-nucleophile), and p-chlorophenoxide (p-ClPhO(-), normal nucleophile) in DMSO/H(2)O of varying mixtures at (25.0+/-0.1) degrees C. Reactivity of these nucleophiles significantly increases with increasing DMSO content. HO(-) is less reactive than p-ClPhO(-) toward 1 up to 70 mol % DMSO although HO(-) is over six pK(a) units more basic in these media. Ox(-) is more reactive than p-ClPhO(-) in all media studied, indicating that the alpha-effect is in effect. The magnitude of the alpha-effect (i.e., k(Ox(-) )/k(p) (-ClPhO(-) )) increases with the DMSO content up to 50 mol % DMSO and decreases beyond that point. However, the dependency of the alpha-effect profile on the solvent for reactions of 1 contrasts to that reported previously for the corresponding reactions of p-nitrophenyl benzoate (2, PNPB); reactions of 1 result in much smaller alpha-effects than those of 2. Breakdown of the alpha-effect into ground-state (GS) and transition-state (TS) effects shows that the GS effect is not responsible for the alpha-effect across the solvent mixtures. The role of the solvent has been discussed on the basis of the bell-shaped alpha-effect profiles found in the current study as well as in our previous studies, that is, a GS effect in the H(2)O-rich region through H-bonding interactions and a TS effect in the DMSO-rich media through mutual polarizability interactions.

High sensitivity to transmission of attenuation in the metal activating effect of platinum on sequential H-D exchange at the four C8 sites of inosines in tetrakis(inosine)platinum(II) chloride.

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange of the carbon-bound C(8)-H protons of the inosine residues in tetrakis(inosine)platinum(ii) chloride, S, with Pt binding at N(7), was studied in aqueous buffer solutions at 60 degrees C by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The kinetics at all four C(8) sites as a function of pD of the D(2)O/OD(-) medium was measured through the disappearance of the C(8)-H signal, which yielded the pseudo first-order rate constant for exchange, k(obs). Plots of k(obs)versus [OD(-)] showed curvature reminiscent of saturation type kinetics and indicative of competitive deprotonation of N(1)-H sites. In contrast, the analogous N(1)-methylated cis-bis(1-methylinosine)diammineplatinum(ii) chloride leads to a linear k(obs)versus [OD(-)] plot. The potentiometrically determined macroscopic composite N(1)-H ionization constant was further dissected into the successive microscopic N(1)-H acidity constants of the four inosine residues of the complex S. The k(obs) values were also deconvoluted into individual rate constants k(ex) (i.e.k(0), k(1), k(2), k(3) for exchange of the successively deprotonated inosine moieties, S, S(1), S(2), S(3), it being assumed that S(4) where all four inosine ligands are deprotonated at N(1) is unreactive ("immunized") to exchange. The k(ex) values show a progressive attenuation in Pt activation of H-D exchange along the series, k(0), k(1), k(2), k(3). The k(ex) data thus generated, together with the deconvoluted individual pK(a) values allow the construction of the plot, log k(ex) [C(8)-H] vs. pK(a) [N(H)-1]. Remarkably, this plot exhibits good linearity (R(2) = 0.99), which accords this as a linear free energy relationship (LFER). The large negative slope value (-2.3) of this LFER reflects the high sensitivity of transmission of electron density from the ionized N(1) via Pt and/or through space to the remaining C(8)-H sites. This is to our knowledge the first instance in which a LFER is generated through modulation of a structure in a single molecule. One can anticipate that this approach may lead to: (1) predicting N-H acidity; (2) C-H H-D exchange susceptibility in a range of metal-biomolecule complexes; (3) their carbon acidity.

1H and 13C NMR assignments for new heterocyclic TAM leuco dyes, (2Z,2'E)-2,2'-(2-phenyl propane-1,3-diylidene) bis(1,3,3-trimethylindoline) derivatives. Part II.

The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the novel heterocyclic Leuco-TAM dyes, (2Z, 2'E)-2,2'-(2-phenyl propane-1,3-diylidene) bis(1,3,3-trimethylindoline) derivatives 1-4 as precursors of triarylmethane (TAM)(+) (Malachite Green FB-analog) dyes were completely assigned by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, including DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY. Especially, the diastereotopic gem-dimethyl protons at the C3 and C3' positions of the FB rings were definitively assigned. The (Z,E) isomers adopt the energetically favored three-bladed propeller conformation in solution.

Alkali metal ion catalysis and inhibition in nucleophilic displacement reactions at phosphorus centers: ethyl and methyl paraoxon and ethyl and methyl parathion.

We report on the ethanolysis of the P=O and P=S compounds ethyl and methyl paraoxon (1a and 1b) and ethyl and methyl parathion (2a and 2b). Plots of spectrophotometrically measured rate constants, kobsd versus [MOEt], the alkali ethoxide concentration, show distinct upward and downward curvatures, pointing to the importance of ion-pairing phenomena and a differential reactivity of free ions and ion pairs. Three types of reactivity and selectivity patterns have been discerned: (1) For the P=O compounds 1a and 1b, LiOEt > NaOEt > KOEt > EtO-; (2) for the P=S compound 2a, KOEt > EtO- > NaOEt > LiOEt; (3) for P=S, 2b, 18C6-crown-complexed KOEt > KOEt = EtO(-) > NaOEt > LiOEt. These selectivity patterns are characteristic of both catalysis and inhibition by alkali-metal cations depending on the nature of the electrophilic center, P=O vs P=S, and the metal cation. Ground-state (GS) vs transition-state (TS) stabilization energies shed light on the catalytic and inhibitory tendencies. The unprecedented catalytic behavior of crowned-K(+) for the reaction of 2b is noteworthy. Modeling reveals an extreme steric interaction for the reaction of 2a with crowned-K(+), which is responsible for the absence of catalysis in this system. Overall, P=O exhibits greater reactivity than P=S, increasing from 50- to 60-fold with free EtO(-) and up to 2000-fold with LiOEt, reflecting an intrinsic P=O vs P=S reactivity difference (thio effect). The origin of reactivity and selectivity differences in these systems is discussed on the basis of competing electrostatic effects and solvational requirements as function of anionic electric field strength and cation size (Eisenman's theory).

Alkaline degradation of the organophosphorus pesticide fenitrothion as mediated by cationic C12, C14, C16, and C18 surfactants.

The effect of varying surfactant chain length (C12, C14, C16, C18) on the alkaline hydrolysis of the organophosphorus pesticide fenitrothion was determined for the following series of inert counterion cationic surfactants: dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTABr), tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTABr), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr), and octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTABr). Plots of kobs versus [surfactant] at constant [KOH] showed saturation behavior at low total [Br-], and (constrained) S-shaped curvature was observed at high total [Br-]. kobs values increased with increasing surfactant chain length but decreased with added KBr. For systems exhibiting saturation behavior, further analysis of the results using the PPIE treatment as modified to account for HO-/Br- exchange allowed the evaluation of substrate binding constants, KS, and micellar rate constants, k2m. The binding constants increased with chain length (hydrophobicity), but ionic strength had no effect on KS. Meanwhile, because of the increased KS values as the surfactant chain length increased, the rate enhancements observed for fenitrothion degradation correspondingly increased. However, rate enhancements decreased with ionic strength because reactive counterions could not compete against the bromide anion for micellar binding sites. Low k2m/k2w ratios revealed that the observed rate enhancements were due to the so-called concentration effect rather than true catalysis. Finally, where the PPIE model failed (displaying S-shaped curvature), our results support the intervention of sphere-to-rod transitions that are favored at high ionic strength (>0.01 M Br-) and lower temperatures as the cause of the S-shaped curvature.

Mayr electrophilicity predicts the dual Diels-Alder and sigma-adduct formation behaviour of heteroaromatic super-electrophiles.

We report on the dual reactivity, i.e. anionic Meisenheimer sigma adduct formation and Diels-Alder adduct formation, of a series of heteroaromatic super-electrophiles, including 4,6-dinitro-benzofuroxan, -N-arylbenzotriazoles (4), -benzothiadiazole and -benzoselenadiazole. Measured pK(a)(H(2)O) values for sigma adduct formation provide a quantitative measure of super-electrophilic reactivity with a satisfactory correlation between the Mayr E electrophilicity parameter and pK(a)(H(2)O): E = -0.662 pK(a)(H(2)O) (or pK(R+) -3.20 (r(2) = 0.987). The most highly electrophilic, pre-eminent super-electrophile is 4,6-dinitrotetrazolopyridine (E = -4.67, pK(a)(H(2)O) = 0.4), which supercedes the reference Meisenheimer super-electrophile, 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (E = -5.06, pK(a) = 3.75), having itself an E value superior by 8 orders of magnitude compared to 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene as the benchmark normal Meisenheimer electrophile (E = -13.19, pK(a)(H(2)O) = 13.43). (For relevant kinetic parameters as well as E and pK(a) values, see .) In a parallel study we have investigated Diels-Alder (normal and inverse electron demand) reactivity of this series of heteroaromatic electrophiles and have shown that Mayr E values are valid predictors of whether DA adducts will form and how rapidly. The observed order of pericyclic reactivity corresponds to E = -8.5 as the demarcation E value, in close agreement with sigma complexation; thus pointing to a common origin for the two processes, i.e. an inverse relationship between the degree of aromaticity of the carbocyclic ring and ease of sigma complexation, or DA reactivity, respectively.

Elucidating the mechanisms of acidochromic spiropyran-merocyanine interconversion.

The thermal and photochemical processes associated with the acid-induced conversions of 6-nitroBIPS, SP-1, to form the protonated merocyanine (MC-OH+) were investigated via UV/vis spectrophotometric studies in acetone. It was found that the mechanism of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)-induced ring-opening of the SP and the rate of MC-OH+ formation follows a general acid catalysis mechanism. In accord with this mechanism, the thermal growth of the acid-induced ring-opened form (MC-OH+) was retarded as the concentration of TFA in the medium was increased. The N-protonated SP, i.e., SP-NH+, is formed in a competing side-equilibrium process as an unreactive "sink", with the nitrogen lone-pair no longer available to drive the ring-opening process and resulting in the inverse rate dependence as a linear 1/kobs vs [HA] plot. Addition of a tertiary amine to MC-OH+ regenerated MC which underwent thermal ring closure to the SP, thus restoring its function as a molecular switch. NMR titration of SP samples showed a downfield shift of the N-substituent peak upon increasing the TFA concentration. However, a saturation behavior could not be observed with SP-1 up to 1 M acid, unlike the model compound, N,N-dimethylaniline (N,N-DMA), which indicates a base strength order of N,N-DMA > SP-1. Further, we have demonstrated that in solvent acetone, on acidification, the normal photo- and thermochromic behavior is reversed; now MC-OH+ is photochemically transformed into SP-H+, which undergoes thermal ring-opening to MC-OH+.