Theoretical prediction of a perepoxide intermediate for the reaction of singlet oxygen with trans-cyclooctene contrasts with the two-step no-intermediate ene reaction for acyclic alkenes.

B3LYP/6-31G* and CASMP2 calculations have been employed to study the ene reaction of singlet oxygen with trans-cyclooctene. These methods predict that the reaction involves a perepoxide intermediate, whereas alkenes such as tetramethylethylene are predicted by the same methods to occur by a two-step no-intermediate mechanism, with no perepoxide intermediate. The change in mechanism arises because the trans-cyclooctene imposes a substantial strain in the transition state for hydrogen abstraction. The perepoxide is formed through a polarized diradical intermediate that can lead to the observation of alkene isomerization. The polarized diradical also becomes a minimum because of the barrier to abstraction.

Quantitative determination of singlet oxygen generated by excited state aromatic amino acids, proteins, and immunoglobulins.

Singlet oxygen quantum yields generated by excited state aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine), N-acetylated amino acids (N-acetyl-tryptophan, N-acetyl-tyrosine, N-acetyl-phenylalanine), and from selected proteins and immunoglobulins have been quantified by time-resolved phosphorescence measurements. A small, but significant, quantum yield found for proteins and immunoglobulins demonstrates that molecular oxygen can diffuse through the polypeptide matrix and can be sensitized by residues buried within the folds of protein structure.

Photophysical properties of non-homoconjugated 1,2-dihydro, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro and 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-C60 derivatives.

The photophysical properties of a novel series of non-homoconjugated 1,2-di-, 1,2,3,4-tetra-, and 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexasubstituted fullerenes (compounds 1, 2, and 3, respectively) have been systematically investigated. In this report, we examine the effect of substitution pattern of non-homoconjugated derivatized fullerenes on the ground state UV-Vis absorption, triplet state properties (lifetime, quantum yield, extinction coefficient), and singlet oxygen quantum yield. The non-homoconjugated fullerene derivatives 1-3 exhibit higher singlet oxygen quantum yield than analogous homoconjugated Bingel adducts with the same number of saturated C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds and exhibit decreasing quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation upon increasing the degree of functionalization on a single six member ring on the fullerene cage. This trend is similar for triplet quantum yield and triplet lifetime. The triplet extinction coefficient increases with functionalization. A detailed discussion comparing 1, 2, and 3 with functionalized homoconjugated systems and with other non-homoconjugated derivatives is presented.

Photophysical properties of a 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexasubstituted fullerene derivative.

The photophysical properties of a novel 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexasubstituted fullerene derivative (1) are examined in this study. In addition to the ground state absorption spectrum of 1, we report its triplet-triplet absorption spectrum and molar extinction coefficient (Deltae(T-T)), as well as the triplet quantum yield (PhiT), lifetime (tauT), and energy (ET). The saturation of a single six-member ring on the fullerene cage results in significant changes in the triplet state properties as compared to that of pristine C60. The triplet-triplet absorption spectrum shows a hypsochromic shift in long wavelength absorption, and both the triplet state lifetime and the triplet quantum yield are decreased. The triplet energy was found to be similar to that of C60. In addition, the quantum yield (PHI(delta)) of singlet oxygen generated by 1 was calculated and is found to be significantly less than in the case of C60.

The retinal carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals: a chemiluminescence and ESR study.

PURPOSE: Carotenoids are present in many biological systems, often decreasing the formation of products of oxidative damage to biological molecules. In the macula their concentration is so high that it has been believed that the yellow color filters out damaging blue light. Recent reports that dietary lutein reduces the risk of cataract in the eye lens suggested that the antioxidant action of carotenoids, which has been inferred from decreased oxidative damage, warranted further direct investigation. METHODS: Superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging by lutein and zeaxanthin (retinal carotenoids), beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein esters (from marigolds), and a commercial mixture of soy carotenoids were compared to scavenging by ascorbate and ascorbyl palmitate. Radical scavenging was measured with a chemiluminescent assay (luminol) and by electron spin resonance, ESR. Inhibitory concentrations, IC(50), were determined with the luminescent assay. RESULTS: All of the carotenoids scavenged both superoxide (in ESR 30-50% at 16.7 microM) and hydroxyl radicals (in ESR 50-70% at 16.7 microM, in a luminescent assay 90-99%). CONCLUSIONS: While crocin may be unable to scavenge superoxide, some of the other carotenoids do so quite effectively. The mixtures of 15,15'-cis and all-trans-carotenoids studied by ESR and luminescent assay scavenge both superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Lycopene and beta-carotene both scavenge superoxide more effectively than the xanthophylls of the retina, zeaxanthin and lutein. All of the carotenoids examined scavenged the hydroxyl radicals more effectively than superoxide radicals. The predominant carotenoid in the fovea of the retina, zeaxanthin, scavenged hydroxyl radicals more effectively than the other retinal carotenoid, lutein. Possible mechanisms of radical scavenging by the carotenoids are discussed.

Free radical biology and medicine: it's a gas, man!

We review gases that can affect oxidative stress and that themselves may be radicals. We discuss O(2) toxicity, invoking superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and the hydroxyl radical. We also discuss superoxide dismutase (SOD) and both ground-state, triplet oxygen ((3)O(2)), and the more energetic, reactive singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)). Nitric oxide ((*)NO) is a free radical with cell signaling functions. Besides its role as a vasorelaxant, (*)NO and related species have other functions. Other endogenously produced gases include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO(2)), and hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S). Like (*)NO, these species impact free radical biochemistry. The coordinated regulation of these species suggests that they all are used in cell signaling. Nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and the carbonate radical (CO(3)(*-)) react selectively at moderate rates with nonradicals, but react fast with a second radical. These reactions establish "cross talk" between reactive oxygen (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Some of these species can react to produce nitrated proteins and nitrolipids. It has been suggested that ozone is formed in vivo. However, the biomarkers that were used to probe for ozone reactions may be formed by non-ozone-dependent reactions. We discuss this fascinating problem in the section on ozone. Very low levels of ROS or RNS may be mitogenic, but very high levels cause an oxidative stress that can result in growth arrest (transient or permanent), apoptosis, or necrosis. Between these extremes, many of the gasses discussed in this review will induce transient adaptive responses in gene expression that enable cells and tissues to survive. Such adaptive mechanisms are thought to be of evolutionary importance.

Effect of cyclodextrins on the physicochemical properties of chlorophyll a in aqueous solution.

The interactions between chlorophyll a and two beta-cyclodextrins, that have the same cavity size but different substituents, were studied in aqueous solutions. These supramolecular host-guest complexes were examined by a combination of UV/vis absorption, circular dichroism, NMR, and steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The results indicate that all cyclodextrins solubilize the pigment mainly in monomeric form in water. The pigment forms 1:1 complexes with the heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin and 1:2 complexes with the hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. In such complexes the methyl groups of the cyclodextrin inner cavity are involved in the interaction with the pigment as evidenced by NMR measurements. We also measured the luminescence of singlet oxygen photosensitized by chlorophyll a in the inclusion complexes.

Lens alpha-crystallin and hypericin: a photophysical mechanism explains observed lens.

Determining whether alpha-crystallin (the major lens protein) affects the photophysics of hypericin, a photosensitizing agent found in various plants, such as St. John's Wort, is important. Hypericin shows promise in cancer and human immunodeficiency virus therapy but may harm individuals taking St. John's Wort extracts (for mild to moderate depression). Hypericin causes hypericism, which is characterized by cellular damage in light-exposed areas. Ocular tissues are at risk for photosensitized damage; thus, we investigated the effects on hypericin photophysics by alpha-crystallin. We measured the transient absorption spectra and the 1270 nm luminescence of singlet (1Deltag) oxygen produced from hypericin in the presence of alpha-crystallin. alpha-Crystallin complexes hypericin, extending the lifetime of its triplet excited state; the Stern-Volmer slope is negative, but not linear, after a saturation curve. Damage to the lens protein by hypericin is known to occur via singlet oxygen, which oxidizes methionine, tryptophan and histidine residues. Binding to alpha-crystallin does not inhibit singlet oxygen formation by hypericin. alpha-Crystallin reacts with singlet oxygen with a rate constant of 1.3 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). Thus, we anticipate that hypericin will be an effective photosensitizer in the lens.

Characterization of 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine in the photosensitized oxidation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine and its rearrangement to spiroiminodihydantoin.

The photosensitized oxidation of 2',3',5'-tris-(O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoG) with singlet oxygen was studied by low-temperature NMR. A stable intermediate was characterized at -60 degrees C by (13)C, 2D NMR HMBC spectra, and chemical shifts calculated by hybrid Hartree-Fock density functional theory which agreed with the structure 5-hydroperoxy-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine. Reduction of this intermediate at low temperature afforded the corresponding alcohol, the long-postulated 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine, the last intermediate in the formation of spiroiminodihydantoin. Upon warming to room temperature, this alcohol rearranges to form the spiroiminodihydantoin in good yield within 2 h.

Tuning the singlet oxygen quantum yield of near-IR-absorbing porphyrazines.

We report the quantum yields for singlet oxygen production by a series of porphyrazines (pz) of the form M[pz(An;B4-n)] (Scheme 1), where the peripheral substituent A is [S-R]2 with R = (CH2CH2O)3H, B is a fused alpha,alpha'-dialkoxybenzo group and M = 2H, Mg or Zn. These compounds show intense near-IR absorbance/emission (longest wavelength emission, approximately 830 nm). Their solubilities vary with R, whereas their optical properties do not. We show that singlet oxygen sensitization by these luminescent compounds can be "tuned" from essentially off to on by varying n and selection among M = 2H, Mg or Zn. The quantum yields vary ca 60-fold within the set of compounds studied, from phidelta = 0.007 for compound 3 to phidelta = approximately 0.4 for compound 11.

Mechanism of ene reactions of singlet oxygen. A two-step no-intermediate mechanism.

The mechanism of the ene reaction of singlet ((1)delta(g)) oxygen with simple alkenes is investigated by a combination of experimental isotope effects and several levels of theoretical calculations. For the reaction of 2,4-dimethyl-3-isopropyl-2-pentene, the olefinic carbons exhibit small and nearly equal (13)C isotope effects of 1.005-1.007, while the reacting methyl groups exhibit (13)C isotope effects near unity. In a novel experiment, the (13)C composition of the product is analyzed to determine the intramolecular (13)C isotope effects in the ene reaction of tetramethylethylene. The new (13)C and literature (2)H isotope effects are then used to evaluate the accuracy of theoretical calculations. RHF, CASSCF(10e, 8o), and restricted and unrestricted B3LYP calculations are each applied to the ene reaction with tetramethylethylene. Each predicts a different mechanism, but none leads to reasonable predictions of the experimental isotope effects. It is concluded that none of these calculations accurately describe the reaction. A more successful approach was to use high-level, up to CCSD(T), single-point energy calculations on a grid of B3LYP geometries. The resulting energy surface is supported by its accurate predictions of the intermolecular (13)C and (2)H isotope effects and a very good prediction of the reaction barrier. This CCSD(T)//B3LYP surface features two adjacent transition states without an intervening intermediate. This is the first experimentally supported example of such a surface and the first example of a valley-ridge inflection with significant chemical consequences.

Characterization of endoperoxide and hydroperoxide intermediates in the reaction of pyridoxine with singlet oxygen.

The photosensitized oxidation of vitamin B6, pyridoxine, is investigated by product and kinetic analysis. Singlet oxygen quenching rates, measured by time-resolved laser flash generation of singlet oxygen followed by monitoring singlet oxygen phosphorescence decay, confirm previous observations that pyridoxine is a moderate quencher. The quenching rate for 3-methoxypyridine is 100 times slower than that for 3-hydroxypyridine, indicating the hydroxy moiety is required for efficient quenching. The chemical quenching rate constant, kr, was estimated by comparison with a known singlet oxygen reaction. Results indicate that the chemical quenching rate of pyridoxine dominates the total quenching. The major reaction product in methanol was isolated and characterized by NMR and MS. The data are consistent with a solvent adduct of the substituted 2,5-pyridinedione. At low temperature, two semistable intermediates were characterized by NMR. The data are consistent with a hydroperoxide and endoperoxide. These intermediates suggest initial attack of singlet oxygen para to the hydroxy group followed by either proton transfer to form the hydroperoxide or addition of the peroxide to the imine to form the endoperoxide. In the presence of protic solvents, the solvent adducts to the imine and elimination of water yield the observed 2,5-pyridinedione product.

Photosensitized oxidation of 13C,15N-labeled imidazole derivatives.

An efficient synthesis of imidazoles with isotope labeling at different positions of the five-membered ring was developed. We carried out a detailed mechanistic study of the photosensitized oxidation of isotope-labeled imidazole derivatives. A new product, CO(2), was observed in the photooxidation of 2-H,N1-H imidazoles, but not in 2-substitituted imidazoles. The carbon of CO(2) derives from the 2C of imidazole. As shown by 18O experiments, both oxygen atoms of CO(2) originate mainly from one molecule of oxygen. Transient intermediates were detected by low-temperature NMR in the photosensitized oxidation of the isotope-labeled imidazoles. Quantitative analysis of the 13C NMR at different temperatures and times correlates the formation of one intermediate with the loss of another, thus allowing the complete decomposition pathway of the transient intermediates to be established. Singlet oxygen reacts with 4,5-diphenylimidazole via a [4 + 2] cycloaddition to form a 2,5-endoperoxide, which, upon warming, decomposes to a hydroperoxide. The hydroperoxide in one pathway loses water to form an imidazolone 7, which is hydrolyzed to a hydroxyimidazol-2-one 11. In another pathway, the hydroperoxide rearranges to diol 8. The diol rearranges to a carbamate 9 by opening and reclosing the five-membered ring. 9 decomposes to CO(2) and benzil diimine. A labile NH in the imidazole is crucial for the decomposition of the initially formed endoperoxide, otherwise the endoperoxide decomposes to regenerate starting material. Many similarities exist between the photooxidations of imidazole and guanosine in organic solvent, suggesting that the two reactions share a similar reaction mechanism with singlet oxygen.

Low-temperature photosensitized oxidation of a guanosine derivative and formation of an imidazole ring-opened product.

An organic-soluble guanosine derivative, 2',3',5'-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)guanosine (1), was prepared and its photosensitized oxidation was carried out in several solvents at various temperatures. Singlet oxygen is the reactive oxidizing agent responsible for this reaction. Neither an endoperoxide nor a dioxetane intermediate was detected by low-temperature NMR even at -78 degrees C. A product (A) with an oxidized imidazole ring was the only major product detected at room temperature; this compound could be isolated by low-temperature column chromatography and was characterized by (1)H and (13)C and mass spectroscopy. CO(2) was the other major product. A small amount of the corresponding 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine derivative B was detected during the initial stage of the photooxidation and was shown to be intermediate in the formation of two products of extensive degradation, C and D. Reaction of 1 with the singlet oxygen analogues 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MTAD) and 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PTAD) gave products consistent with a proposed mechanism involving the rearrangement of an initially formed endoperoxide to give A and B from reaction of 1 with singlet oxygen.

Formation of transient intermediates in low-temperature photosensitized oxidation of an 8-(13)C-guanosine derivative.

An 8-(13)C-labeled guanosine derivative, 2',3',5'-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-8-(13)C-guanosine, was synthesized and its photosensitized oxidation with singlet oxygen carried out below -100 degrees C. Two transient intermediates that decompose directly to the final major product 5 and CO(2) were detected by (13)C NMR between -100 and -43 degrees C. The two intermediates are carbamic acids based on (13)C NMR and 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC) spectra and the formation of final product 5 and of 8-CO(2). No endoperoxide intermediate could be detected by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy even at -100 degrees C. A reaction mechanism is proposed involving initial [4 + 2] cycloaddition of singlet oxygen to the imidazole ring to form an unstable endoperoxide, subsequent rearrangement of the endoperoxide to a dioxirane, and decomposition of the dioxirane to the two observed intermediates. Both oxygen atoms of CO(2) are derived from a single oxygen molecule, which strongly supports a dioxirane structure for the precursor of the two observed intermediates. The distribution of products estimated by (13)C NMR accounts for all the (13)C-containing products in the reaction mixture.

Reactions of Singlet Oxygen with Organometallic Compounds. 4. Photooxidation of Cationic Iridium(I) and Rhodium(I) Complexes with Weakly Bonded Ligands.

Cationic complexes of the type [M(CO)S(PPh(3))(2)](+) (M = Ir, Rh; S = CH(3)CN) react with singlet oxygen to form the corresponding peroxo complexes [M(CO)S(PPh(3))(2)(O(2))](+). The solvent molecule remains coordinated to the metal in the oxygen adducts. The novel cationic iridium-peroxo complex is stable at room temperature, while the rhodium-peroxo complex is only stable below 0 degrees C. Rate constants for physical and chemical interaction of the complexes with singlet oxygen are somewhat smaller than those for related neutral complexes. Upon addition of alkenes (tetramethylethylene or 1-octene) to the peroxo complexes, neither oxidation of the olefins nor substitution of the acetonitrile ligand was observed. 1-Octene was isomerized to give mostly 2- and 3-octene by the cationic rhodium(I) complex. A cationic iridium complex which already possesses a coordinated diene ligand ([Ir(COD)(PPh(3))(2)](+)) did not react with or quench singlet oxygen.